I have Murray rider mower with a Briggs & Straton 14.5 OHV Engine. It does not even try to start unless I pour gas directly into carb. It appears to have good compression. If I take the breather off and pour gas directly into carb, it starts and runs long enough to use up that gas then dies. I have checked my fuel flow from tank to carb and it is fine. There is an electric solenoid on the bottom of the carb where the float bowl is. I'm not sure how that works or how to take it off. I have cleaned the bowl and checked the float on conventional carbs but never dealt with an electric bowl type before. I pulled the plug and laid it outside hooked to the spark plug wire and turned engine over to see if it was getting fire. I did not see a spark. But when I put the plug back in and poured gas in the carb it starts then dies. If I try to start it without putting gas in the carb is simply sounds like it isn't firing. As you can tell, I'm confused.

The needle and float operates the under the same principles as on the older style carbs without the solenoid. The solenoid has a plunger type rod that is cylindrical and pointed that retracts into the solenoid to allow the fuel to flow. Use a 1/2" open end wrench that is ground down thin to remove the solenoid from the fuel bowl. FIRST, disconnect the battery cables to prevent the possibility of a spark, remember you are going to be working with fuel.

Mowerman, would you suggest checking the wire to the solenoid first, before removing it?