Hello everybody,

I bought this lawn mover 4.5 hp about a 1 1/2 years ago from someone else. It was practically new when I bought it. The guy decided to sell it because he sold his house and was moving to a condo. I used it for like 1/2 a year and then put it in storage for a year. When I got it out of the storage I tried to start it, it would not start. I looked in the gas tank and the gas tank was empty. I poured in some gas, and nothing! I checked the oil and it had oil. The oil looked like brand new. I pulled out the air filter and cleaned it. It was filthy. I will replace the spark plug tomorrow to see if that solves the problem. Someone told me that I needed to clean the carburator and that that was probably the cause of the problem. I will do that last. I do not even know where the carburator is located at anyway. Is it behind the air filter? I would like to get some ideas from you all.

Thanks,

Ruben

Just locate the fuel line coming from the fuel tank and follow it and you will eventually wind up at the carb. Some are located behind, under, and beside the air filter, different places for different units. Remember to replace the fuel filter if needed. But I believe the main problem will be found inside the carb.

I put a new spark plug on it, I even sanded the wire that makes the connection with the spark plug and it still would not start. I removed the air filter. Behind the air filter, the was a part with a rounded portion at the bottom ( I'm thinking this part is the carburator), the fuel line connected to that part. I removed the gas line from that part and collected the gas that came gushing out. Removed the part, it had about three screws, cleaned it with a carburator cleaner. Behind that part ( the one that I cleaned with the carb cleaner) there was something that looked like a 1 1/2 inch tube going further into the engine. I stopped there and did not go any further. I put the part that I cleaned back, connected the fuel line back to it. Put the air filter back, and it still would not start. My question to you all,
Do you think that the part that I took out and cleaned was the fuel filter? Do I need to dig further?

I appreciate your help,

Ruben

Ruben, I don't mean to sound ugly about this, but if you are not sure if you are working on a fuel filter or a carburetor, you may consider carrying the unit to a shop.