started mower this year did fine, then went to mow another yard, mower keeps flooding, have to hit carb bowl with hammer to run right or unstick float. How to free carb float?
Sounds like either needle and seat varnished up causing it to not seat properly, or perhaps something binding or hanging up the float, dirt or something not letting the needle seat. Pinch the fuel line closed, or take the fuel line off and put a Phillips screwdriver in the fuel line big enough to shut off the fuel flow, then remove the carburetor bowl. Look in the bowl before you throw the gas out to check for sediments and water. Remove the float pin and float and needle. Spray carb cleaner up in the seat area with the wand / straw on the carb cleaner can. Spray the whole underside of the carburetor while you're at it including the pickup tube area. Re-assemble the float , pin, and needle. Don't put the carb bowl on yet, but hook up the fuel line. Manually check by raising and closing the float and see if it works properly. If so, put the bowl on and try it. Hope this helps.
