John Carter wrote:
I ahve a Sears lawn Vacuum non-self propelled - about 8 years old.
It is a Tecumseh 4.5 HP 4 cycle engine. I use it frequently during
the spring and summer for blowing debris off the lawn. You can
remove the bag, and connect a chute for blowing. It has been working
fine this fall.

This afternoon, I got it out of the arage, fueled it (fresh gas).
pushed the primer 5-7 times (as always), set the throttle to choke,
and pulled the rope. It started and I usually wait about 20 seconds
and then set the throttle to the rabbit (operate position), then do
leaves.

Today. before the wait period was up, the engine quit. I started it
again and the same thing happened. The third time, after it started
and before it quit, I pushed the primer bulb just as it began to stop,
and it began too run, but then started to stop. Repeated pushing of
the primer bulb would keep it going, but once I no longer pushed the
primer bulb, it would stop. This happened in choke position or rabbit
position, although it may not have had a chance to warm up.

I don't think it's a fuel problem, as I have used it 5 times over the
past two weeks, and it always started and ran. My use sessions
usually take a whole tank of gas - it just runs out of gas and I use
that as a que to quit. I looked at the plug and it's dry and looks
normal.

I'm not a small engine expert - Ionly do oil changes, and routine
maintenance, so am asking for some direction as to what next to try.

There is a bolt on the bottom of the carb bowl, and on that bolt is an
orifice, which is clogged. Undo the bolt and clean out the orifice with a
small copper wire, and reassemble.

Also change out the spark plug as a matter of due course.

Jon