I have a Craftsman mower with a 6.5 hp B&S motor.

It didn't want to start this season. It has good fresh fuel and I
tried a new plug.
When I pull the cord there is nothing. When I pulled the plug it was
wet so I assumed that was the problem. DIdn't help either.
I sprayed starting fluid and it fired and ran for a moment until the
spray went away. If it was electrical it would not have run. Since
it ran on the starter fluid, it must be the carb,,, right? I am
assuming that maybe a jet is plugged. Am I heading down he right
path?

Thanks

"dave" wrote in message
...
I have a Craftsman mower with a 6.5 hp B&S motor.

It didn't want to start this season. It has good fresh fuel and I
tried a new plug.
When I pull the cord there is nothing. When I pulled the plug it was
wet so I assumed that was the problem. DIdn't help either.
I sprayed starting fluid and it fired and ran for a moment until the
spray went away. If it was electrical it would not have run. Since
it ran on the starter fluid, it must be the carb,,, right? I am
assuming that maybe a jet is plugged. Am I heading down he right
path?

Thanks

If the jet is clogged how did the plug get wet ? Fresh fuel - but did you
drain the carb ? Might be water in the carb. You've covered everything
else - except maybe the float needle valve is stuck open. And it's getting
too much gas. Is there a choke on this thing or is it the kind with the
primer bulb ? I've had the little tube to or from the primer bulb crack and
break.

On Jun 3, 2:53*pm, "Srgnt Billko" wrote:
"dave" wrote in message

...

I have a Craftsman mower with a 6.5 hp B&S motor.

It didn't want to start this season. * It has good fresh fuel and I
tried a new plug.
When I pull the cord there is nothing. *When I pulled the plug it was
wet so I assumed that was the problem. *DIdn't help either.
I sprayed starting fluid and it fired and ran for a moment until the
spray went away. * If it was electrical it would not have run. *Since
it ran on the starter fluid, it must be the carb,,, right? * I am
assuming that maybe a jet is plugged. * Am I heading down he right
path?

Thanks

If the jet is clogged how did the plug get wet ? * Fresh fuel - but did you
drain the carb ? *Might be water in the carb. *You've covered everything
else - except maybe the float needle valve is stuck open. And it's getting
too much gas. * Is there a choke on this thing or is it the kind with the
primer bulb ? *I've had the little tube to or from the primer bulb crack and
break.

It has a primer bulb. I can hear the fuel bubble as I push it so I
don't think it is bad. I am going to try to pull the carb tomorrow
and see what I can find.
I hate to give in yet and take it to a shop. Hopefully it is
something obvious.
(I didn't think about the clogged jet and wet plug. Thanks for
throwing that out there)

"dave" wrote in message
...
I have a Craftsman mower with a 6.5 hp B&S motor.

It didn't want to start this season. It has good fresh fuel and I
tried a new plug.
When I pull the cord there is nothing. When I pulled the plug it was
wet so I assumed that was the problem. DIdn't help either.
I sprayed starting fluid and it fired and ran for a moment until the
spray went away. If it was electrical it would not have run. Since
it ran on the starter fluid, it must be the carb,,, right? I am
assuming that maybe a jet is plugged. Am I heading down he right
path?

Thanks

Wet spark plug spells either too much gas, OR, not enough air. Clean and
oil the air filter first, then work on the gas thing end if not successful.
--
Dave

Dioclese wrote:
"dave" wrote in message
...
I have a Craftsman mower with a 6.5 hp B&S motor.

It didn't want to start this season. It has good fresh fuel and I
tried a new plug.
When I pull the cord there is nothing. When I pulled the plug it was
wet so I assumed that was the problem. DIdn't help either.
I sprayed starting fluid and it fired and ran for a moment until the
spray went away. If it was electrical it would not have run. Since
it ran on the starter fluid, it must be the carb,,, right? I am
assuming that maybe a jet is plugged. Am I heading down he right
path?

Thanks

Wet spark plug spells either too much gas, OR, not enough air. Clean and
oil the air filter first, then work on the gas thing end if not successful.

In the spring time it usually means gas in the carb is so old it won't
even burn.

--
Art

Replace the air filter and make sure there are no cracks in the air lines if
it has any. Make sure there is no old lawn clipping build up under the mower
as some access their air from there.

--
909090...J

Message posted via HomeKB.com
http://www.homekb.com/Uwe/Forums.aspx/gardens/200806/1

"Art" wrote in message
...
Dioclese wrote:
"dave" wrote in message
...
I have a Craftsman mower with a 6.5 hp B&S motor.

It didn't want to start this season. It has good fresh fuel and I
tried a new plug.
When I pull the cord there is nothing. When I pulled the plug it was
wet so I assumed that was the problem. DIdn't help either.
I sprayed starting fluid and it fired and ran for a moment until the
spray went away. If it was electrical it would not have run. Since
it ran on the starter fluid, it must be the carb,,, right? I am
assuming that maybe a jet is plugged. Am I heading down he right
path?

Thanks

Wet spark plug spells either too much gas, OR, not enough air. Clean and
oil the air filter first, then work on the gas thing end if not
successful.

In the spring time it usually means gas in the carb is so old it won't
even burn.

--
Art

Left the original fuel in my push mower, riding mower, and chain saw. Last
used in latter end of October last year. All started fine in early March.

But, I also have experienced the old gas thing while storing an automobile
for 6 months or longer at a time. A full tank helps keep the moisture
condensation problem down to a minimum. "Dry gas" additive should be used
if storing approaching a year. Not related to fuel, but important, always
disconnect the battery. Am guessing some this carries over to lawn
equipment with gasoline engines as well.
--
Dave

"Dioclese" NONE wrote in message
...

...
But, I also have experienced the old gas thing while storing an automobile
for 6 months or longer at a time. A full tank helps keep the moisture
condensation problem down to a minimum. "Dry gas" additive should be used
if storing approaching a year. Not related to fuel, but important, always
disconnect the battery. Am guessing some this carries over to lawn
equipment with gasoline engines as well.

I agree. I've never had trouble starting my tractor, chainsaw or
stringtrimmer. I believe leaving the gas in the machines keeps the gaskets
and diaphragms flexible whereas running it try lets it get hard and crack.
Sometimes doing nothing is better than breaking things.

Stubby said:

"Dioclese" NONE wrote in message
...

...
But, I also have experienced the old gas thing while storing an automobile
for 6 months or longer at a time. A full tank helps keep the moisture
condensation problem down to a minimum. "Dry gas" additive should be used
if storing approaching a year. Not related to fuel, but important, always
disconnect the battery. Am guessing some this carries over to lawn
equipment with gasoline engines as well.

I agree. I've never had trouble starting my tractor, chainsaw or
stringtrimmer. I believe leaving the gas in the machines keeps the gaskets
and diaphragms flexible whereas running it try lets it get hard and crack.
Sometimes doing nothing is better than breaking things.

This, from the same dumbass that doesn't believe in changing the oil.
--

Eggs

- Reset Universe? (Y)es (N)o

"Eggs Zachtly" wrote in message
news
Stubby said:

"Dioclese" NONE wrote in message
...

...
But, I also have experienced the old gas thing while storing an
automobile
for 6 months or longer at a time. A full tank helps keep the moisture
condensation problem down to a minimum. "Dry gas" additive should be
used
if storing approaching a year. Not related to fuel, but important,
always
disconnect the battery. Am guessing some this carries over to lawn
equipment with gasoline engines as well.

I agree. I've never had trouble starting my tractor, chainsaw or
stringtrimmer. I believe leaving the gas in the machines keeps the
gaskets
and diaphragms flexible whereas running it try lets it get hard and
crack.
Sometimes doing nothing is better than breaking things.

This, from the same dumbass that doesn't believe in changing the oil.
--

Eggs

- Reset Universe? (Y)es (N)o

Seems to imply that someone can't be right about something, if wrong about
something else in the same area of general area of discussion. Not logical,
seems rather an emmotional response to a prior disagreement. Not healthy.
--
Dave

Claude Hopper (11) 5. ? wrote:
Art wrote:
Dioclese wrote:
"dave" wrote in message
...

I have a Craftsman mower with a 6.5 hp B&S motor.

It didn't want to start this season. It has good fresh fuel and I
tried a new plug.
When I pull the cord there is nothing. When I pulled the plug it was
wet so I assumed that was the problem. DIdn't help either.
I sprayed starting fluid and it fired and ran for a moment until the
spray went away. If it was electrical it would not have run. Since
it ran on the starter fluid, it must be the carb,,, right? I am
assuming that maybe a jet is plugged. Am I heading down he right
path?

Thanks

Wet spark plug spells either too much gas, OR, not enough air. Clean
and oil the air filter first, then work on the gas thing end if not
successful.

In the spring time it usually means gas in the carb is so old it won't
even burn.

One winter does not make gas THAT old. I always start with old gas in
the spring.


Assuming the gas was fresh at the end of the season and stored properly
then you might be right. However, in real world conditions the gas could
very easily have been 6 months old already at the end of the cutting
season. Add to that another 5-6 months of improper storage and no
stabilizer, during the non-cutting season and you could very well have
gas THAT old.

The OP's description is classic "bad gas" symptoms.
1. It won't start at the beginning of the season.
2. He said he used fresh gas but didn't mention draining the carb.
3. It runs with starter fluid (simply replaces the gas) which means the
other engine systems are good.
4. The plug is wet which means the carb is delivering fuel. That points
to the fuel not igniting.

The fact that you always start with old gas is totally irrelevant to the
problem. By using that logic you could easily dismiss almost every
reason it would not start.


--
Art

Sound like your carb needs cleaning out. A compressor is the best tool for the job. You can also leave it in paraffin (kerosene) overnight (not the rubber seals though)

On Jun 10, 4:49*pm, Marquis
wrote:

Sound like your carb needs cleaning out. A compressor is the best tool
for the job.

If you are careful. I recently cleaned a neighbor's mower carb. It
had a small rubber needle valve seat. Didn't know it was in there.
Caught just a glimpse of it as it sailed across the yard as I was
blowing out the carb. Then it was a trip into town to buy a new one.
They don't come separate so I had to buy a needle valve to get the
seat. A normal 10 minute job took 2 hours.

Red