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AR15.COM
5/10/2007 8:45:52 AM EDT
It's kinda sad but I know more about fuel injected car engines then I do a small engine mower with a carb.

The problem is that's its hard to start cold.
After a few primes and ranking on it, it will start just fine after its warm.

It's a craftsman mower that was given to me by my parents 5 years ago when they got a divorce, its not more then 7  or 8 years old.

I've never serviced it once.
Should I just start with the basics like changing the oil, spark plug and air filter?

Anything on the carb I should be looking for?
5/10/2007 8:47:56 AM EDT
[#1]
what engine does it have on it?

if it's a Briggs, my first guess would be the carb diaphram
5/10/2007 8:49:14 AM EDT
[#2]
Clean the filter usually works for me..on mine I sometimes have to take the filter off, prime 3 squirts, put the filter back on then it starts like a champ
5/10/2007 9:03:25 AM EDT
[#3]
adjust the choke properly and a quick squirt of starter spray into the carb - air cleaner.
5/11/2007 11:32:36 AM EDT
[#4]
yes it is a B & S engine.

It has the priming pump but when its cold it will only run on the primed fuel then die.

I'll go through this cycle about 3 times then it will stay started.
5/11/2007 11:35:20 AM EDT
[#5]
Can't go wrong by establishing a baseline:

New, correctly gapped, plug
New air filter
Fresh oil
Sharp blade
Fresh fuel

Once all this is done, then you can troubleshoot if it's still hard to start. Concentrate on the fuel system.