Lot-o-fun wrote:
I'm embarrassed to admit that I didn't do right by my lawn mower last
Fall and just left it in the garage over the winter without doing any
winter prep. It's warm enough today that I thought I'd drag it out and
see if I could start it, and I couldn't after priming the engine and a
few quick on the rope. What should I do at this point? The lawn mower
is a Murray with a 4-stroke engine (model 20617A for those that care).
I bought it used and didn't get a manual or anything like that with it.

As a follow up, what's the right way to put this machine away for the
winter?

Other's have given good advice. I did same this weekend and it took a
lot more than a few quick pulls. I did find the air cleaner
excessively dirty and should have cleaned it before trying to start.
I've been adding Stabil to all my gas and leave it in the mower.
Oxygen is the enemy of gas and it is best to keep cans and tanks full
for storage. Gas in a well sealed metal tank should keep forever.

I think it is a good idea to check out mower a few weeks before
actually needing to cut grass as if you have to take it to a repair
shop it may take a couple of weeks to get it back as everyone else is
finding that their mowers won't start

Frank