Craftsman Mower Will not start with Auto Choke

[ProMower]

This one has me stumped. It is almost new with a new carb, new fuel, everything is spotless. It uses an air vane auto choke, with a choke thermostat for warm starts. The choke plate is fine and in place. The cover is off in the photos. I can start it easily with spray, and it runs nice. It will not start on its own. Fuel is not an issue. Spark is not an issue. Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Scrubcadet10]

Try pushing the choke linkage to Fully closed, keep it there and start it. in the first pic it looks like the choke isn't being closed 100%.
My Courage 19 on the cub got to where it would not start cold, without parts cleaner sprayed in to start, i found the choke wasn't closing all the way, adjusted the linkage to where it closes fully and it fires right up

 

[Rivets]

Look at picture 3, you see the plastic idle speed screw and under it you have the idle jet. Remove the idle speed speed screw, then pop out the idle jet. The idle jet has a large hole in the side and an extremely small hole in the bottom, .018”. This hole likes to plug up and will cause hard starting problems. You need something very small and tough to open it up. I use a #78 micro drill, but most people don’t have those, plus if you would break it off in the hole you’re screwed.

 

[upupandaway]

...I use a #78 micro drill, but most people don’t have those,...

You can get them at HarborFreight or else look up
Oxygen-Acetylene Torch Tip Cleaner Kit with 12 Stainless Steel Reamers
at Home Depot.

 

[Rivets]

I would only recommend using a torch tip cleaner as a last resort any Then by a trained tech. They remove too much of the slot brass jet, which most times results in carb replacement, as you can’t buy the jet separately. Just my opinion.

 

[Scrubcadet10]

I use something like this https://www.amazon.com/Carburetor-Cleaner-Cleaning-Brushes-Small/dp/B075J7M7B4

 

[bertsmobile1]

Double up on what Rivets said.
Tip cleaners are FILES and remove brass from the jet making it bigger
Don't know where the idea of using them as jet cleaners came from , seemed to get legs about 5 years ago when EVILPAY was awash with tip cleaners , rebadged as jet cleaners .
The U_BOOB videos popped up like mushrooms in meadow cakes all showing an idiot with no idea what they are doing destroying carbs .
The main reason why you nee to replace you Oxy tips is the cleaners enlarge the hole

 

[ProMower]

Try pushing the choke linkage to Fully closed, keep it there and start it. in the first pic it looks like the choke isn't being closed 100%.
My Courage 19 on the cub got to where it would not start cold, without parts cleaner sprayed in to start, i found the choke wasn't closing all the way, adjusted the linkage to where it closes fully and it fires right up

It is fully closed and it is a new carb. But looking again at the photo as you pointed out made me realize there is a possibility of too much air and not enough choke, so I bent the larger side of the plate just a touch to move it closer to the edge and placed a layer of epoxy on the other side and it starts perfectly now, so thanks!

 

[ProMower]

Look at picture 3, you see the plastic idle speed screw and under it you have the idle jet. Remove the idle speed speed screw, then pop out the idle jet. The idle jet has a large hole in the side and an extremely small hole in the bottom, .018”. This hole likes to plug up and will cause hard starting problems. You need something very small and tough to open it up. I use a #78 micro drill, but most people don’t have those, plus if you would break it off in the hole you’re screwed.

It's a new carb, and runs fine with sprat as I mentioned. The idle jet is for a surging problem, plus the idle jet does not matter when starting a motor, plus to clean the idle jet... unthread a wire from a wire brush. Thanks for trying to help but it would be better if you read my post. I can start it easily with spray, and it runs nice.

 

[Scrubcadet10]

It is fully closed and it is a new carb. But looking again at the photo as you pointed out made me realize there is a possibility of too much air and not enough choke, so I bent the larger side of the plate just a touch to move it closer to the edge and placed a layer of epoxy on the other side and it starts perfectly now, so thanks!

This post isn't meant to sound bull-headed, that's what i don't like about the internet, meanings and feeling behind words are harder to transmit,
anyhow, you did manually push on the choke linkage at the carb towards the closed position to be sure there was no slack in it?