Starts and then stops!!

flames9

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Howdy all from Nicaragua!! Originally from Canada, but living down here for awhile! Great vacation place--beer and rum is cheap and lots of beaches!! Now onto my problem!!

I have a Sears craftsman lawn mower--but has the Honda easy start engine!! Model # 917377942. For awhile it sounded like the engine was going up and down a bit, but all was fine!! I left Nica for 2 months and had a gardner use our lawn mower while I was gone (labor is cheap here)

I started cutting the lawn, all was fine, then it died!! It has an auto-choke. If I kept the choke al lthe way on, it would run forever and sounded normal!! But after a few minutes with the chock completely off, it would rev up and down and then die!! So then I kept the fully choke on and it was fine (but of course revved high) but after a bit would die!! Same thing if I kept the choke stuck at half way--runs fine for quite awhile!! If I take the choke off, it soon dies!!

I did empty the gas from the tank and was a bit of crud in the tank, but not a lot! I swished it around a few times, emptying it a few times to get any crud out!

As well took off the air filter and made no difference! oil level appears fine.

It starts up very easy with the choke on!! Does this sound like a carb issue? What can I say, I'm a motor moron!! lol Thanks in advance
 

Lawnranger

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Yep, sounds like there is a restriction in the main jet. If you don't want to rebuild the carburetor, replace it. Honda carburetors are cheap and easy to replace. If you go the replacement route, make sure to buy new carburetor mounting gaskets. Youtube has some good videos on rebuilding carburetors so if you want to learn spend some time watching videos.
 

flames9

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Thanks for the info!!! Now and try to find a place to buy a new carb for it!!! Thanks
 

flames9

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Lesson: Ensure one has new gasket at hand, even if your just going to clean it!!! The gaskets were in pretty rough shape!! I ended up just ordering a new carb that came with the gaskets from amazon----need someone that can ship to a DPO. Many thanks for ur help
 

flames9

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TY Lawnranger.....New gaskets and a new carb and on the 2nd pull it roared to life!! Sounded better than it has ever sounded (bought used). Thank you
 
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