Good day,
I have a Briggs & Stratton 'Champion 35' petrol mower. I bought it second hand, and it has always been hard to start. Now it's impossible to start! I downloaded the B&S owner's operating & Maintenance manual hoping to find some detailed instructions but there was little in there of any help.

What are some things I can check? I tried to remove the carb but it doesn't want to come completely free even with the screws removed. It seems to be catching on something. I was trying to get to the jets to see if they are blocked. I noticed that the rubber right-angled sleeve that joins two metal pipes at the carb is not very airtight, and nor is the joint between the carb and the engine. I can see the rubber O-ring in intact, but the joint still felt a bit loose when I jiggled it.

Any suggestions as to what I can try to get it to start? It's full of petrol and the air cleaner is A-OK.

Many thanks!

Al