My lawnmower a Briggs and Stratton 5 HP, after primed runs for about 5-10 seconds, then stalls out. We cleaned the carb bowl out, drained old gas, cleaned air filter and checked the spark plug. Now it runs a little longer but still stalls. What could possible be the problem?

Janice, June 2004

try putting plastic over open gas cap then put cap on and get new cap some were air is getting in

Allan McCleary, September 2007

You are on the right track. The carb is your problem, it should be removed and cleaned out with carb cleaner and all the ports blown out. Caution..when blowing out the carb, be careful not to blow out the needle seat.There are some fine holes, which are called jets,they should be cleaned, you can use a fine wire or a small needle. Give the carb float a shake when reinstalling to see if there is any fuel in it. If there is, replace it. I also recommend that you use fuel stablizer in you fuel. It cleans you carb as well as keeps your fuel fresh for up to two years.

JOHN, September 2004

After removing mixture screw put back in at approx. 1 1/2 turns out!!!

Patric, June 2004

You might have dirt inside the carb. where the mixer screws into the carb. Be sure to remove your carb. diaphram before spraying it out or you will melt the rubber gasket.

Patric, June 2004

I have a go-cart with 5hp Briggs that has same problem. Fuel inlet tube screen to carb. may be dirty. I bought a new fuel tube & flushed out the carb. & it helped for a little while till I figured out there was still dirt in the bottom of the gas tank. Get back with you after I flush out the gas tank & carb. again. This time I plan on pulling the fuel tube off & giving that fuel inlet a good spray. Can anybody tell me if marbles in the gas tank really work or is that a myth.

Patric, June 2004

Has the linkage from the governer been lossened/disconnected? I sthe air vent on the fuel tank clear? Check also that the exhaust hasnt shaken loose, this would make it run lean and hence stall

Tim, June 2004