I have a Weedeater 300 series gas lawnmower purchased from Walmart spring of 2008. Small machine, one-pull start, good for wife and grand kids. Started running erraticly this season. I could keep it running the last time I mowed by bouncing it up and down every time it started to die. Fuel is clean and new although it probably had fuel left in it over the winter. It will start immediately with starting fluid sprayed in the carburetor.

The priming bulb did not work correctly and upon closer examination discover it is melted around the mount and did in fact come off in my hands. Most likely caused by the methanol in our fuel here in eastern Oregon.

Question is: What are my best and most cost-effective options? The grass is getting REAL tall.

Primer bulb needs replaced and did you use fuel stabilizer before you stored it? If not than you need to empty the gas out of the tank and carb and put fresh gas in, also check the spark plug to see if it is fouled. Air filter could be plugged up too, the weed eater brand is a Briggs & Stratton motor so I believe they have a foam filter which can be cleaned with soap and water than let it dry.

Methanol or ethanol?

Methanol or ethanol??

Truth--I don't know, but I have just replaced the carb on my little Mantis rototiller for the same kind of problem and I had a snowmobile a couple of years back in which the fuel line from the tank got soft and spongy and swelled up. This bulb is made of a red rubber-like material and it has literally melted such that you can smear it around with your finger.

I understand that the bulb can be replaced but the carb is tiny and hard to get clean inside the tiny passages. Frusterating!

Truth--I don't know, but I have just replaced the carb on my little Mantis rototiller for the same kind of problem and I had a snowmobile a couple of years back in which the fuel line from the tank got soft and spongy and swelled up. This bulb is made of a red rubber-like material and it has literally melted such that you can smear it around with your finger.

I understand that the bulb can be replaced but the carb is tiny and hard to get clean inside the tiny passages. Frusterating!

Was it stored with fuel stabilizer?

Hi,
Is this a Tecumseh engine with the primer on the side of the carb? If it is then the carb is sucking air there, it vents in the venturi. It must be replaced to maintain proper operation. The clip that secured it can be removed/broken with a narrow screwdriver and a 632047 primer kit installed I believe the bulb can be installed/seated with a 3/4" deep socket.
Briggs&Stratton also uses red primers now and are in the end of the filter housing. Replacement proceeds in a similar fashion though their vent is in the form of a small hole in the center of the bulb that your finger covers when the primer is used. Rarer and I believe only the replacements are red last time I checked, a means of tipping off the mechanics!
Do NOT use starter fluid as it will ruin the engine in a slow, steady fashion. Carb cleaner or WD40/CRC, or even some brake cleaners are flammable and will work fine without corroding the aluminum.
Peace,
Clarke

Was it stored with fuel stabilizer?

No, and I know better than to leave fuel in it, but I slipped up. It ran fine for awhile this spring and then began cutting out as though it was not getting fuel. The bulb would not pump or return to its original shape after being pushed, and then it tore completely out so the engine may have been going lean although it seemed like it was starving for fuel. Hard to tell when the wind vane is trying to throttle/choke to hold RPM constant.

Bottom line--is it worth pulling the carb, cleaning, getting spare bulb and gaskets, etc. or is this just another case of throw it in the dumpster and chalk it up to cheap Briggs/Weedeater/Wal-Mart junk.

Crigby--good info. It is a Briggs and Stratton engine. Wal-Marts price was good but I'm wondering from your input--does the red bulb indicate a refurbished machine?

Thanks to all of you for responding.

Hi,
No it does not mean a refurbished machine. I have not looked at any walk behind mowers in awhile, but often part changes are first seen in the in the service parts chain first. The manufacturing chain is a separate chain. The same thing happened when Tecumseh changed the color of their unvented primer to red.
Peace,
Clarke

You have a passage clogged with primer bulb crud. Use drill bit & comp. air. & carb cleaner use premium fuel.