Mower Carburetor Not Getting Gas

I can't get my lawnmower started.

2003 Briggs and Stratton 6.5 HP
600 Series
Model: 123K02-0193-E1

I have changed the fuel, changed the spark plug, changed the air filter, changed the air filter gasket, and changed the oil. When I dump lots of fuel in the carb it will run for about 2 seconds, then it dies. Any suggestions?

Sam

Answers:

Mower Carburetor Not Getting Gas

A friend suggested that when I put my riding mower away for the winter I add Stabil to the gas tank instead of draining the gas. I did and the mower would not start the next spring. I had to take the mower back to the dealer. He said the stabil turned the gas to a thick jelly. He had to remove and clean the tank, the gas lines, clean the carb, and replace the fuel filter. From then on I have drained the gas tank and run the mower to use up the remaining gas in the carb. In the spring I add fresh gas and the mower starts up with no problem. (06/18/2008)

By Bill

Mower Carburetor Not Getting Gas

I tried blowing into the tank. This only acted like priming. It would still only run until the prime gas ran out. Then I looked in the shed and found a bottle of octane increaser. I primed again but this time added a shot. After a couple pulls the engine started and revved higher than I have ever heard it before. After the RPMs came back down It continued to run. :-) (06/24/2008)

By DaveR

Mower Carburetor Not Getting Gas

My B/F suggested for you people out there that might need to fix this problem, you need to replace the float.
(06/26/2008)

By Cate

Mower Carburetor Not Getting Gas

I bought a $125 Walmart lawnmower a few weeks ago and the same thing happened to the mower as happened to your lawn mower. I bought a new and better mower and was about to throw the other one away and just thought I would take a chance on a quick, simple internet solution and that's when I came up on this page. It worked for me too. Great idea and thank you very much. Now I have a spare mower. (07/09/2008)

By Ken F.

Mower Carburetor Not Getting Gas

Jean, my bartenders thank you. Your "blow in the tank" trick got my mower going, and now I'll have plenty of money for happy hour this week since I don't have to buy a new mower. Thanks! (07/23/2008)

By DallasYankee

Mower Carburetor Not Getting Gas

I have a slightly different question. Gas is not getting to carburetor, but rather is being blown back through the air intake valve. I have blown all the hoses clean and checked the gas filter. There is a fair amount of pressure being built up in the tank; when I remove the gas supply line, it squirts gas a foot in the air. When I look down into the throat of the carb, it is dry. I know (ouch!) that I am getting spark. This is an Echo weed eater. It has been running well until I tried to start it with the switch turned to off. After that I can't get it to start. (07/28/2008)

By Connie

Mower Carburetor Not Getting Gas

Well, I am a regular non-mechanical housewife who took your advice on how to get my mower started and guess what? It worked! I took the Poloun push mower out back where no one would see me and I blew through a paper towel into the gas tank and presto-magic-o - my mower now works! Thanks! I'm off to mow my lawn :) (08/03/2008)

By Tracy

Mower Carburetor Not Getting Gas

I have an inexpensive (cheap) Murray lawnmower that wasn't getting gas to the carb. Blowing into the gas tank got it started then it stopped immediately. Another symptom was that the primer didn't work. The solution in my case was to replace the diaphragm in the carburetor - $6.00 at my local lawnmower service shop. Remove the air filter, two bolts to remove the gas tank, then remove the carburetor from that, and the diaphragm is between the two. It's a very simple carburetor - one piece of plastic - so this may not work for everyone. (04/24/2009)

By Jack