5.5 briggs & stratton lawn mower problem?

Question

My lawnmower is a bit older Craftsman model, gas powered 5.5 briggs & stratton motor. I do the pump to prime the gas to carburator 10 times and voila it starts right up. but then dies less than 15 seconds later. I've tried pumping it more times to have more gas for prime, but sure enough, dies right after it burns off that intial blast of gas. I'm so broke right now I cannot afford the $55 fee the shop wants to check it out. I changed the spark plug on it 2 years ago, and it still looks good. Any ideas what else I should try? I need really good detail directions,,not afraid to get my hands dirty or break a nail :) just need to know what to take off to clean or whatever to get it running. I live in mobile home park and they are going to fine me if I don't get grass done soon. THANKS!! If you need to email me diagram or such, [e-mail].

Answer 1

I wish I could help you fix your lawn mower but I don't know anything about them.  Could you borrow a neighbors lawn mower and give them some money for the gas, until you can fix yours?

Answer 2

On the top there is a square area, that has a s***w in the center of it. Take that off. Take a look at the spongy thing inside. If it is too dirty then the mower will not run well. It is best to replace it. I think it is called a breather.

Answer 3

You have one of two problems.

Tell me if the carburator is separate from the gas tank. If so follow  the instructions below. If the carb is mounted on top of the tank there is a different procedure.

The needle valve located in the fuel bowl of the carbourator is stuck   or   one of the small holes in the carb (called a jet or an o*****e) is clogged. Both often happen when gas is left in the mower for more that a few (4) months.

TO fix.

Drain the gas tank and assume the gas is rotten.(unless you have just filled it from a FRESH gas source.

Remove the carb bowl. THis is done by looing under the carb and you will find a 1/2hex bolt. Unscrew it. (Some fuel will drain out)

Let the lower part of the carb drop down (it looks like a small cup) Don' tear or loose the black rubber ring gaslet.

Now look for a flot which appears like a small doughnut. Riding on top of the float is a tiny metal square shaft with a fine point on the end. This is the needle valve.

Carefully remove, wipe clean and look up inside where the needel valve pointed and wipe that as well.

Now for the orifices (jet). There are a couple of possibilities.

Look on the side of the tube that the float (doughnut) was around. You may find a very tiny spot that is a brown color. If you do that is an o*****e that has been plugged with a blob of old gas goo. Use a very fine needle and poke the plug out of the hole. Note that not all carbs have this. It will be quite apparent if yours does. Next looking up inside the tube you wil l see a brass colored item with a straight screwdriver slot in it. Unscrew, and inspect to see if the o*****e is clean.

Reassemble all.

Refil the tank

Prime and start and mow.

Enjoy.

Eric