My mower with a B&S 12.5 I/C Gold motor would not start. It has oil and gas coming out of the spark plug hole when you crank it over. If the little rubber boot is not hooked up to the carb when you try and start it oil pours out of it. Is my ring wasted or is the thing ready for the junk pile?

You have what appears to be two simple problems:

1. Fuel valve is sticking because you didn't drain the gas out of the engine before storage or didn't use Sta-Bil a fuel stabilizer. Fixes are disassembling and cleaning the carb or trying to use Seafoam and a small amount of gas in the tank to start. Run all of it out.

After making this repair, drain and replace the oil.

2. If after you get it running check for fresh oil in the air cleaner. If you find some, replace the oil breather.