I got a push mower from my inlaws a few years ago. Late last fall, we had our first baby so I stopped mowing the yard in mid-August...and the mower just sat. This spring, the mower wouldn't start. I'd like to fix as I'm not the disposable type.

I did change the plug, air filter, and oil (mostly because they can be purchased anyhwere...and cheap) even though I didn't believe that was the major issue. If I spray starting fluid in the carb, it starts right up...for a second. So I don't think I have a spark plug or magneto issue.

I have completely drained the tank and cleaned the fuel line to make sure the gas hadn't turned to crud over the winter...that didn't help.

I read something online about gas getting into the bowl. So, I removed the bowl and gas is definitly flowing into the bowl...just not getting up into the intake runner. And that's about where my troubleshooting knowledge of carburetors ends... I'm thinking I need to rebuild this little carb...but I have no idea where to buy the rebuild kit or which kit to buy.

FYI, it's a B&S 6hp on a Yard Machines push mower. Here is a picture of the cover...I don't know if this info would help:


Here is the mower:


And here is a slightly closer view of the engine:

 

This is very common these days with the use of ethanol fuel. Mowers should be stored with a reasonably full tank of gas with a healthy dose of stabilizer in it - and should be run for a few minutes after adding the stabilizer.

You probably just have a clogged jet and/or a stuck needle. You may not need a kit if you are careful with taking the carb apart.

Here in MO, all gas is 10% ethanol by law, so I drive 8 miles to Kansas to get gas for my mower.

 

You need to take the carb apart and ream every pin hole w/tip cleaners. Home Depot has tip cleaners in the welding section (tools), just ask for a set, they're really cheap.. Might want to pick up some gasket making material or just order the carb kit and gaskets. Just saying, you get away without it by cleaning it up inside thoroughly and making your own new gaskets if need be.. Also, those carbs are pretty cheap online, - like $25 for the whole deal lol.

Also, be careful using compressed air. It's easy to blow out the seat for the bowl float valve. If you blow that out, you'll never find it lol. And if that's missing, the carb will overflow with fuel.

 

I happen to be very intimate with that engine. The mower one of the church members bought for the church has that engine. I'll save you a lot of grief- throw it away and buy anything, even used that does not have a B&S engine. The B&S engines they have been turning out for the last few years are absolute trash when new. Even the cheap crap Troy-Bilt quit using B&S engines because of too many problems. The intake runner is plastic and is subject to crack/break, the plate that the carb mounts on is subject to crack/break, the rubber seal at the carb to mounting plate is subject to the ethanol gas. Yeah, you can fix it with parts but you'll be doing it every year and maybe twice a year. Too bad you don't live close-I'd bring you one just like it with less than 40 hours on it with over $200.00 in parts in it and it still doesn't run.....and isn't going to run. Then again, if I gave it to you I wouldn't be able to put it at the 500 yd range in the back pasture and get some pleasure from the experience.

 

Yea, now that sounds like fun, - for the Muzzle loader