Out of Ideas and Push Mower still won't start

[random.minnesota]

Okay, so DIY usually comes naturally but I have no experience with engines and I've exhausted the standard YouTube and Google searches. Thought I made progress but my mower still won't turn over.

Make: Yard Machine
Model: 11A-41MB029, 139CC OHV 21"

Already have done:
1. Emptied the gas and refilled
2. New spark plug (and confirmed it was creating a spark).
3. Removed air filter (even though it was clean, I left it off to make sure there would be plenty of air flow)
4. Pulled the fuel line and let gas run out of the tank through fuel filter to make sure it wasn't clogged
5. Blew out and used pipe cleaner on the fuel line from tank to the carb.
6. dropped the bowl on the carb and wiped out
7. Blew out the entire carb assembly with compressed air
8. Found out that the float needle was sticking so I pulled and cleaned, got excited thinking I finally solved it (NOPE!)
9. New oil
10. Pretty sure gas is getting from carb to the combustion chamber because when I take off the plate on the front there is new fuel on the bottom (I had wiped this out when I started).

So...What can I do next? Thanks.

 

[scott47429]

ok first thing is can you put starting fluid in the carb and get it to run if so its a fuel problem if not its a spark or compression problem

 

[random.minnesota]

I'll have to pick some up to try. Do I just spray some into the carb through the choke opening? Also, doesn't know if it matters but I used the same gas in my other mower last week and didn't have any issues, granted it has a better engine.

 

[scott47429]

yes and it it starts and runs till the fluid is all gone and it won't be long then its not getting fuel if it still won't start then its a spark or compression problem but that will give you some idea where to start and it don't have to be starting fluid choke or caqrb cleaner will work so will brake clean if you have any of that laying around

 

[DaveTN]

yes and it it starts and runs till the fluid is all gone and it won't be long then its not getting fuel if it still won't start then its a spark or compression problem but that will give you some idea where to start and it don't have to be starting fluid choke or carb cleaner will work so will brake clean if you have any of that laying around

When you squirt some gas or carb cleaner or starting fluid in the carburetor and the engine fires and runs till it's out of spray, then some orifice / jet is varnished over and starving the engine from picking up fuel. I would take the float bowl off and squirt carb cleaner with the straw on the nozzle into every opening I could find. Also spray down into the fuel inlet area (after removing the carburetor fuel inlet hose) and work the float and needle up and down. That would prevent the needle from sticking (which is a possibility since it stuck before due to varnish). Also take a fine wire, I use a twist tie off a bread bag and skin it back and put a short 90 degree bend in it. Use it to clean the little holes on the bottom of the carburetor air inlet. They should be visible on the bottom when you open the choke plate. I squirt some carb cleaner in there, then use the wire to gently poke down in there. That usually clears things up. The carb can't suck the gas up out of the float bowl. Again it could be the needle sticking closed and starving the fuel inlet to the carb bowl too. Hope this helps. Dave