I have a 14 hp ohv briggs and stratton motor that has become hard to start after being in storage for the winter . White smoke was coming out of the exhaust and oil seemed to be coming out of the exhaust but the mower would run OK after the initial start . Last week however, the mower won't turn over . I thought that I had a bad head gasket so I tore the motor down . The head gasket looks really good but I noticed that as I took off the head , gas poured out of the head ( one cup or so) . I assume the problem is in the carb. But would like to confirm this.
Thanks

That is a common problem. The needle valve in the carb gets a little gummed up after sitting for months and lets gas seep by and it ends up in the cylinder. All you need to do it clean the carb good and you should be good to go again. Just make sure you use a gas stabilizer next winter.

Hi,
Change the oil, as it prabably gas contaminated, also.
Peace,
Clarke