So who's good with small engines?

Give me a real motor no problem. Give me a dern lawn mower and I just can't figure it out.
Can't keep a mower more than 6 years and they turn to crap. Anyway mine died last fall and I've tied into it to get it going. Got spark, changed fuel pump and filter--fuel filter wasn't filling up. After pump fuel is flowing. cleaned carb for grins--wasn't clogged. I know it will run cuz I can spray carb cleaner and it fires. Fuel did look a bit yellow so now thinking I've just got bad fuel--what are ya'lls thoughts?

First thing, take tank of, pour out old gas. Put in a small amount of good gas, slosh around then let sit for a little bit. Pour that out then fill with enough to get gas to carb. See if she won't run then. If it dosnt then something in carb is still plugged. If it runs dose it pretty good with SeaFoam and just let it run wide open for a while before putting under load.

Does carb bowl have a drain plug? Did you check to see if Bowl filling up? Also check line between pump and carb.

SOUNDS LIKE THE CRAP IN YOUR TANK IS COMNG LOOSE . TRY A LITTLE B-12 . CLEAN ALL THE LITTLE HOLES OUT IN THECARB ? I HAD A LITTLE WATER IN MINE . LIKE TO HAV NEVER GOTIT ALL OUT . GOOD LUCK .

Mike take the tank off, empty it out, put a little fresh gas in it, put 5-6 ball bearings or marbles in it, put cap on and shake the crap out of it to brake gunk and rust loose, then drain, wash out with fresh gas, then refill, you'll know your starting with a clean tank then.

well definitely have a good bit of water in the tank. Siphoned out about half a quart (half a quart in a bucket plus one mouth full) and had noticeable water in it. I sure hope that's it-still not convinced that is 100% it as it doesn't even try to fire or sputter-tired of messing with it.
Now to taking the tank off---I have to disassemble the whole freaking chassis to get it out--don't want to and it not be the issue so I'm going to pump the tank empty and try from there.

Once u get it empty, tie a strong string to a shop rag and stuff it in the tank, move it around with somthing to absorb any leftover water drops , then pull it back out.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MrGoodtime

Once u get it empty, tie a strong string to a shop rag and stuff it in the tank, move it around with somthing to absorb any leftover water drops , then pull it back out.

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Nice

I've got a locked up motor. 17.5 briggs. Goes on a John deere from Home Depot. Can get a new motor for 500 delivered to house. Any body no where you can get a good used one or get one rebuilt. I live in oxford area.

Yep they all throw aways now days. Got the tank cleared and nada no fire. No idea

Are you getting gas out of the float bowl? When you say no fire are you saying it won't start or no fire to plug?

Is good fuel getting to the carb??

Yep fuel to bowl (drained fuel from it whenn I took carb off)
Getting spark just won't light off.

Hmmmm.. Something don't sound right with the carb

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ducker

Hmmmm.. Something don't sound right with the carb

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Or worse

I got a new motor from Murrey, KY a few years ago. The first time I cranked it with the air filter on, no problem. Ran it until it was out of gas. Let it cool and refilled with gas, wouldn't crank. I removed the air filter and it cranked. Replaced air filter and ran it until out of gas again. Let it cool, refilled with gas, washed air filter, wouldn't crank. Removed air filter and it cranked. Replaced air filter and ran it until out of gas. Bought a new air filter, installed it, wouldn't crank. Remove air filter and it cranks. Wasted $29 on a new air filter.

I'm thinking you still have some gunk or water inside the carb. Needs to be cleaned real good. Check and see if you have a rubber seat for needle vave. If so do not blow air backwards through it. You blow that seat out they are a nightmare to get back in right.

Does this mower have a needle valve ? If so the smallest little piece of trash can clog up the works.

It does. That and the float are the only pieces that come out.
I'll be paying someone to fix it. Tired of it.

Is the Plug wet after trying to start? If this is a 2 cycle you need at least 50# of compression to run.

Haven't pulled after trying to start guess I should.

If it hits on starter fluid, there's something definitely stopping enough fuel from getting to the plugs to fire, or the plugs aren't firing hot enough to ignite the liquid fuel.

Sounds reasonable. New plug in it. Spark did look a bit light but I was looking in full sun.

Luckily more rain and a soaked yard--no mowing for a couple of weeks :)

Remove the float and float valve, may need to pull the carb off. What kind of seat does it have? Older models had a brass seat and newer ones have a Neoprene seat. A new Neoprene seat will have a hole about 1/8", a red/burgundy color and hard. The one I pulled yesterday had a pin hole, pink like a pencil eraser and soft.

Best thing to do when a engine does that is fill the gas tank with black powder add a fuse light it and run.

i like that!!!!