I have a Bolens 4.5 mower probably less than 2 yrs old. I've checked the fire from the coil and I have consistent fire, I can hear the compression. I just need to know how I inspect this carb to see if it needs rebuilding. Also where would I get the rebuild kit. Any help would be appreciated as the wife is ready for me to mow the yard.

Brand of engine? Briggs maybe? if so what's the name of the engine? Little carb mounted to a little tank? Was it stored with freshly treated gas (stabilizer) ? OR no?

If this is a briggs sprint or like that of the sorts, this has a diaragm style carb, this is basically all you replace when you rebuild them, tank the tank off with the carb (better to have the shroud off though), there's two bolts holding the tank on, and one bolt at the front that supports it, and one around the breather tube to the carb... be careful with the carb, its plastic (and no its not a new design, makes them cheaper to build and replace, they do just as well as metal carbs) grab a can of carb cleaner, put the straw on the can, spray out the carb good, and holes you see, and make sure the pickup tubes are clean and clear at the bottom, it has a mesh screen on it. Have your new diapragm and gasket handy (comes together, and is around 2 or 3 bucks) make sure to get the gasket right now! tighten the carb back down tight to the tank, and put it back on... now if the gas is rancid, replace it and make sure to rinse the tank out with a little fresh gas and dump before you put the carb on.

Thanks I went to a local guy and got a diaphram and gasket I'll post later to let you know how things worked out