I have a briggs and stratton lawn mower. I’ve owned for about a year. It has never started easily, and now will not start at all. I am guessing that the carburetor needs to be cleaned. Can anyone provide instructions specifically for briggs and stratton lawn mowers (not sure of the model, bought it last year for about $140) regarding how to remove and clean the carburetor, and what the other causes may be?
Life beyond lawn mowers: Ever wonder what percent of people speak Spanish in the US?
November 17th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
First if it is a only a year old , did you leave last years gas in it all winter? if so it may have gummed up ( gas is only fresh for about 6 weeks) Something as simple as a can of carb cleaner will do the trick with out removing the carb , that or starting fluid., the Ether in the starting fluid cleans pretty well itself and would make it easier to fire up , giving the engine time to pump the fresh gas to the carb. Also check that there is spark at the plug , a one year old briggs should start up easy . if not ,,remove the air filter , clean the intake of the carb with cleaner ( this probably will flood it ) try first to start the engine , give it full choke and throttle , if after several tries it does not fire , remove the gas in the tank , remove the sparkplug, and crank the engine over several times to clear all the excess gas/cleaner out , let it sit for a little while , replace the plug , spray starting fluid in the carb,( or a little carb cleaner) try to crank it . it SHOULD fire . after it does , turn it off, add the gas back to the tank, sorry it would be easier if i was there in person, good luck!
November 17th, 2009 at 9:44 pm
Check and see if gas is in the carburetor bowl. If not the check valve is stuck a common problem with gunk build up. When you have it upside down it’s under the float. Take the float off and get to it. The check valve is held with small wire parts so take your time and remember how it is held in place. You do have to put it back the same way you found it.
Before I did anything I would check for spark. Then I would pull the plug out and put two teaspoons of gas in the engine. Put the plug back and it will start and run most of the time. Only do that on a cold engine for your safety.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:46 pm
My suggestion would be to take it to a lawnmower or chain shop. They can tune it and help it to start quickly.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:17 pm
it is not the carb it is either the spark plug or the peice under the pull cord coil i mean