On Fri, 08 Jul 2011 17:40:35 -0700, Oren wrote:

On Fri, 8 Jul 2011 14:43:08 -0700 (PDT), PaulD
wrote:

I am helping a neighbor with his push mower. He has a 6.5 HP Briggs
and Stratton engine.
When I prime the engine with gas using the little button on the mower,
the engine starts up with no problem, but then quickly peters out. Is
this likely a carberator problem? or a fuel supply problem? Are there
any quick fixes that we can try.
I am willing to give him a hand, but I don't really want to get into
rebuilding his carb or something like that. I might be willing to
clean the fuel line. I didn't notice any fuel filter on this unit,
but I might not be looking at the right spot.
Thanks,
Paul

Before you go into working on the mower engine, try some starting
fluid. Remove the air filter and spray the throat tube of the carb. It
may be just something sticking -- choke butterfly or something small.

I did this for a neighbor and things worked out well.

The best spray is: Valvoline® Extra Strength Starting Fluid from the
auto parts supply. Just a few dollars...

http://www.valvoline.com/products/brands/valvoline/starting-fluid/57

Follow instructions on the can. It may take a few tries.

The Seafoam product mentioned is a good idea for the fuel tank...

YMMV...
Be EXTREMELY carefull using starting fluid. Since the engine WILL
start with the primer I, as a mechanic, would NOT use starting fluid.
It is reserved for when you can't get an engine to fire with any other
method.

If you can get the sea foam to get to where the problem is - in the
float bowl, it will GENERALLY do the job - but if the float bowl is
full of gas (or water) that is not getting drwn through the carb
because the jets are clogged, getting the sea foam into the carb
without removing the float bowl can be difficult. SOMETIMES you can
keep the engine running with the primer bulb long enough to get enough
gas through the carb to get the sea-foam to where it can do some good.

If you can get it to the point that it stays running, no matter how
poorly, the sea foam is always a good bet.