The mower only runs for a short time unless you keep pushing the choke button. Model # 917373981. Any ideas?

Don Meazell, March 2006

I have the same model mower and had the same issue with it running for a few secs and cutting off. I removed the air filter and sprayed card cleaner in the hole. I let it sit overnight and then tried it in the morning and had to spray more cleaner in the air intake hole. The trick is to force the mower to get gas by holding you finger over the air intake hole for a second or two when the mower start to die. Keep doing this. This will force it to clean out the gunk. Keep playing around this way and like me you might not have to rebuild or take apart the carburator.

-BIll

Bill Pepitone, August 2006

Just went through the same thing. Took the carb off and cleaned it out, took the fuel line off and made sure there was no blockage, then took off the gas tank and made sure there was no blockage at the outlet. No kits and no new parts were needed. The fuel float didn't sit in the hinge correctly so I used a small wire as the hinge. Now it works fine. Good luck!

Rob, May 2006

I have to same mower and it had the same problem! Turned out to be old gas in tank and I emptied out the fuel tank and put fresh fuel in it. Also dropped and cleaned out the fuel bowl on the carb (to get the fresh gas in the fuel line and carb bowl). Then it kept running.

Jeff, April 2006

rebuild carb , kits are cheap, at your local small eng rep
shop if hes nice he'll give you hints

jo dude, April 2006

bg IS right! It is a lack of fuel issue.
However, a leaking intake gasket will reduce the vacume through the throttle body of the carb, and it can't draw enough fuel.

Rick, March 2006

The engine isn`t getting enough fuel ...could possable be a needle and seat problem on the carberator
Could posably be trash in fuel but its a fuel problem ..

bg, March 2006

It's either getting too much air or not enough fuel.
A leaking carb mounting gasket would make it run that lean, or a clogged jet in the carb would do the same.

Rick, March 2006