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I own a craftsman t110 with the 17.5 hp Briggs. Pulled it out today to begin mowing and the thing wouldn't start. Unit cranks but will not start. Checked carb looked clean but when I pulled the bowl found white powdery residue inside. Cleand that out and checked everything I. Could and it all seems functional. Attempted to start it again and no change. Found that if I cover the intake with my hand and let in small bursts of air I can get it running for a few seconds but it will not stay on when I remove my hand. Also observed some white smoke come out of the intake on the last attempt. Should I clean, rebuild, or replace the carb. And if clean can I use the new gas I have as a solvent or do I need to buy some cleaner.

Did you leave gas in the unit all winter? If so, even with additives, I would remove all fuel and start fresh.

Rivets said:

Did you leave gas in the unit all winter? If so, even with additives, I would remove all fuel and start fresh.

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So I should expand a little in my area of Texas our winter is so mild that we still mow regularly even during winter so its never sat longer than 3 weeks

But has you fuel sat longer than three weeks? White smoke to me indicates water in the fuel. Condensation will build n the gas can very quickly in humid conditions.

White powdery residue inside is a sign of water in the fuel. A good carburetor cleaning along cleaning the anti after fire solenoid should resolve the problem. Of course check the fuel system for water being present. Depending how damage is done it may even require a carburetor replacement.

Always store fuel in sealed containers especially fuel with Ethanol as it attracts moisture.

So I've had the opportunity now to actually clean the carb the problem is still the same. I will now replaces the fuel as mentioned. I know I've had the gas for quite a while 3 months or better but all of my other equipment is running strong with it. We dont sell non ethanol gas in my area is there any recommendations for how do stop this issue.

StarTech said:

White powdery residue inside is a sign of water in the fuel. A good carburetor cleaning along cleaning the anti after fire solenoid should resolve the problem. Of course check the fuel system for water being present. Depending how damage is done it may even require a carburetor replacement.

Always store fuel in sealed containers especially fuel with Ethanol as it attracts moisture.

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What is the anti after fire solenoid

Ok so I located the anti after fire or as I knew it the fuel shut of and tested it with direct power it does not activate. Is this part repairable or do I have to replace ot

Remove the solenoid from the bowl and spray wd40 on the plunger stem and work it up and down and it should free up. Wd40 is a good cleaner/solvent but a lousy lubricant.

Hammermechanicman said:

Remove the solenoid from the bowl and spray wd40 on the plunger stem and work it up and down and it should free up. Wd40 is a good cleaner/solvent but a lousy lubricant.

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I tried that and put 12v stright to it with my power probe used carb cleaner and some of that water displacement stuff but it didn't move checked with a multi meter and found it has no conection internally

jwl110295 said:

I tried that and put 12v stright to it with my power probe used carb cleaner and some of that water displacement stuff but it didn't move checked with a multi meter and found it has no conection internally

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Cut the tip off and put it back on and see if engine will start.

Hammermechanicman said:

Cut the tip off and put it back on and see if engine will start.

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Done that already engine running a little high on throttle. Won't respond to throttle lever unless blades are engegd now

Adjust the govenor and recheck linkage.

Take your big wallet to the parts shop & buy a new one or pull the plunger up as high as you can and cut it off.
Then when you finish mowing push the throttle down to the minimum count to 10 and turn off the engine .
If you don't do this the unburned fuel will accumulate in the muffler and ignite once the air:fuel ratio is right for combustion at atmospheric pressure.
Then it ignites from a still red hot muffler internal & goes bang, often a minute or so after you have gotten off .
It does not hurt the mower or muffler . just sounds bad

Side note in some places chopping the plunger off can leave you open to very big fines ( $ 5,000 to $ 10,000 ) so if there is an environmental idiot around your place or you are having a fued with your neighbours not shutting down quietly can cost you big time .