I have a 16 hp sears (onan engine) riding mower - the carb has been rebuilt, the points changed, etc... it starts but only with full choke and then dies, if I try to release the choke it dies and will not start. Can anyone help out with this? What am I missing?
Thanks

Your carb needs cleaning. Remove the bowl, dump the fuel in the bowl and actuate the float several times to see if the needele valve will turn the gas flow on and off. Yu might not get it to work even after this so it may need to be rebuilt. I have had some difficluty with Sears mower carb and ended up buying a whole new carb for about $200

Your carb needs cleaning. remove the bowl, dump the fuel in the bowl and actuate the float several times to see if the needele valve will turn the gas flow on and off. Yu might not get it to work even after this so it may need to be rebuilt. I have had some difficluty with Sears mower carb and ended up buying a whole new carb for about $200

Thanks - but how do I actuate the float needle valve if the bowl cover is removed - it looks like the float needle valve is integrated onto the float?

With the bowl removed the float will drop down and let fuel dribble into the area where the float once was. Lft the float with your finger and the flow of fuel should stop.