[jojointex]

I lost my owner's manual on my craftsman 21" front-drive lawnmower. It hasn't been started in about 5 months and have not anything to the mower. I filled it up with fuel and primed the mower (should be 3 times) before I pulled the chord. I think it maybe flooded, but how long do I wait? What else should I do to get it started?

[21boat]

To unflood let sit for awhile 15 min or so or throttle off choke off and pull cord several times to push out excess gas. Let sit then restart on normal settings I go half choke and 1/4 + throttle. To kill to birds one stone. And don't want to wait to unflood and check the firing pull plug wire and plug. Pull cord to start throttle on idle and choke off. This unfloods cylinders(s). Inspect plug. Put loose plug on plug wire and ground side of plug to head or metal of mower with insulated pliers and pull the cord and look for spark in plug gap. Do that in shade to see a spark. If older plug Clean plug with gas or carburetor cleaner and I like a little sandpaper to lightly sand the both gap parts flush out sanpaper leftover grit. If plug looks real bad get new plug to match old. Its very possible the other gas already in the tank was old especially when it goes from hot to cold and tank condensates Drain tank fresh gas Check gas filter and replace if dirty.
If no spark post back.
If this is 2 cycle high test gas ( If factory allows) and 2 cycle TCW 3 mixing oil.

Signed 21 boat

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[crigby]

Hi,
Sitting for 5 months generally mean stale fue in a vented carb, they have to be to work. No engine type stated, so it could be a 7/16", 1/2", 12mm or 13mm wrench needed to loosen the main jet from the bottom of the carb. Just loosening will allow stale fuel to run out. If it smells like varnish, that, is stale! Sometimes draining and re-trying is all that is needed, not as often as I would professionally hope.
Peace,
Clarke