Ok, I am back !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sorry, I HAD to take a break on this thing, I was beginning to hit it with my head!!!!
I had found the sheared key, still didnt start, I replaced the carburetor with a new one ($200), IT STARTED RIGHT UP!!!!????!!!!????
I had cleaned the old one inside and out 4 freaking times!!!!
Anyway, I was so glad to see the thing was running, so I put a for sale sign on it in the front yard (North Texas). Last summer's heat broke records, we never had rain (no grass to mow), it sat for two months with zero calls, so I ended up moving back into the garage for the fall/winter. This is when the problems came back -- after sitting in the hot sun for two months, I was back to square one!!! THE SAME FREAKING THING!!! It will start quickly, then die. Well, I knew what it had to be, a dirty carb. I cleaned the brand new carb (20 min. run time, but sat with 10% ethanol fuel for 2 months in the heat). So, I cleaned it spic and span, it sounded a little different now and thought the key had sheared again, so I ordered a new one and put in yesterday, BACK TO SQUARE ONE!!! It will start, then die, the difference from before, I can spray starting fluid in it, it will run on it, I can spray carb cleaner, it will run on it, It will even run on its own fuel (which was drained and replaced this year). I think I am about to give up and take it in, but know that the mechanic will just start replacing stuff until it starts. I just don't get it, I bought the brand new carb, it ran GREAT, sounded strong, sounded like the day I bought it, it had tons of power, then after sitting it is back to square one. I know I have gotten a ton of help here and thought I would update the forum. If needed, I will be glad to post a video tonight.