That sounds like a good plan, however you may not find a fuel bowl, as some
of the smaller B&S motors, such as 3.5 HP, had none. Just a dip tube,
directly from the carb. into the tank. Engine vacuum on a diaphragm, sucked
the gas up into the carb. Whatever type of carb. it does have, cleaning it
makes a lot more sence than replacing it.
"NickySantoro" wrote in message
news
On Sat, 25 Mar 2006 02:10:02 GMT, HamNCheese
wrote:

I have a mower that I let sit for about two years while I had a
gardener. Now I'm trying to use it again and it won't start. I
drained and changed the gas, cleaned the plug, checked the air filter.
I sprayed the inside of the cylinder and the carburetor with gumout.
When I pull the starter, the engine ignites the gumout and runs for a
few seconds, then dies again. So I'm guessing that means it is
getting a spark so it's a fuel clog issue?

Anyone have any advice? This is a Craftsman (Briggs & Stratton)
standup mower that has really only been used a couple of dozen times
over the years--it's just been sitting in the garage for awhile. I
live in Los Angeles so it's fairly dry here, but it has sat through
some very hot temperatures in the summer.

Common problem. The carb is all varnished up. Drain all the gas out of
the tank and fuel bowl. Buy a can of the cheapest carburetor/ fuel
injector cleaner and pour about half of it into the tank. Remove the
spark plug wire and pull on the starter cord a few times to get the
cleaner into the carb. Let it sit for a couple of hours. Clean or
replace the spark plug. Fill the tank with fresh gas, reconnect the
plug and try to start. I'll bet it starts by the third pull.
BTDT