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I can not get my mower started. It's a craftsman with a 5 Briggs motor on it. I am very mechanically inclined and have used this mower for only 3 prior seasons, each season starting it at the beginning of the season has been progressively worse.

These are the things I have done:
- I have used Stabil ethanol treatment each season I have owned the mower at the suggestion of a Briggs phone rep who told me that Ethanol is killing their carburetors.
- I have removed the carb and cleaned the carb with carb cleaner each year very thoroughly at the beginning of the season.
- Today I have had the carb off 5 (!!!!!) times to ensure 100% that it is clean and everything flows freely. Been through a whole can and a half of cleaner.
- I have replaced the gasket again this year (and last year).
- Primer bulb was replaced last year .
- Spark plug was replaced last year and looks fine today.
- I have always run 92 octane premium gasoline in my Briggs engine.
- I have attempted to use starter additive in my gasoline this year and last year as well.
- I have ensured that the spark plug wire is well connected
- I have ensured that there is no build up or gunk on the operator presence control arm contact on the rear end of the motor and that the contact point there is clean.

NOTHING is getting this thing going this year. I have a fairly small yard and the mower doesn't even have that many hours on it. It's so disappointing and frustrating that a 4 year old mower that is well maintained and clean struggles to simply start each season. I don't know what else to try at this point.

I know last year that an unclean carb seemed to be my issue, but this year I KNOW IT'S CLEAN. Unless I am somehow missing something.

If anyone can advise me further on this i'd be very grateful.

Are you getting spark at the plug? are you getting fuel? spray some starting fluid in the air intake, what happens?:2cents:

Air Filter & Pre-Cleaner?? A clogged filter won't get you anywhere. I blow mine out after every mow. My old Briggs&Stratton was an oil eater & went thru spark plugs every hour (gunk from excessive oil consumption) Have NEW mower now, joyously happy... Thought of trading yours in? Push come to shove, that might be your answer...

I used this stuff (see can) - in the air intake & in the spark plug hole. I used less than the instructions, just to be safe. It also required up to 10 pumps on the primer button.

I know you are beyond frustrated! Hope something works....

this may sound dumb, but does the engine have the bowl type carb, and if so did you ,clean the jet in the bowl nut. Most people miss that.

I moved your thread to the Small Engine & Mower Repair Forum. :smile:

So new spark plug, still nothing.

I did clean the carb completely, I have experience being REQUIRED by this freakin' mower to do that each season, even when new...it is not a bowl type carb...but I do know there's a pass through on the bottom of the carb where you can spray and it comes out the fuel intake tube. I have highlighted that in red. It is clear. In fact carb cleaner flows freely though all the areas of the carb so I don't think anything is gummed up.

...not my pic just one from the web. Only thing I can think is I'm not getting spark but I don't understand the cause of something like that...the thing is way too new for that.

:smile:
when having trouble with those plastic carb. I throw them away and install a new carb. To me they are not worth the time trying to repair, for what a new carb cost. Also check the gas tank mounting surface for warping. When trying to start, did you have the air cleaner hold down bolt screwed in the carb? From the picture looks like the gas had water or alky mixed in.

Buckshot 1 said:

:smile:
when having trouble with those plastic carb. I throw them away and install a new carb. To me they are not worth the time trying to repair, for what a new carb cost. Also check the gas tank mounting surface for warping. When trying to start, did you have the air cleaner hold down bolt screwed in the carb? From the picture looks like the gas had water or alky mixed in.

Click to expand...

I specifically stated that is not my photo, but one from the internet. Just showing what type of carb I have.

Tank surface is good. Seal is good. Yes, cleaner bolt is always screwed in so the cleaner doesn't go anywhere...

I recall somone asking if there was ever any good spark? I heard about new plugs but nothing about getting good fire! You don't have to put the plug in the engine to check for fire, just ground out the base and crank it over. You should have good bluish-white fire jumping the gap. If no spark then the magneto coil has bought the farm. :confused2: All this carburetor cleaning is good but without good fire it won't run period. It has to be something simple being overlooked. Check for good compression. Check for good spark, and Good gas flow. It can't help but run!

DaveTN said:

I recall somone asking if there was ever any good spark? I heard about new plugs but nothing about getting good fire! You don't have to put the plug in the engine to check for fire, just ground out the base and crank it over. You should have good bluish-white fire jumping the gap. If no spark then the magneto coil has bought the farm. :confused2: All this carburetor cleaning is good but without good fire it won't run period. It has to be something simple being overlooked. Check for good compression. Check for good spark, and Good gas flow. It can't help but run!

Click to expand...

Gas flow is not the issue. Looks like no spark at this point. F this thing. I just put it on Craigslist.

I had another older mower also with a Briggs Motor that I couldn't start last year and what do you know this morning I pulled it out, cleaned the the fuel tank & put my new plug on it, and checked the oil (its still clear) and it fired right up. First pull. Lawn = mowed.