I have a Briggs and Stratton Classic 35...someone just gave me it last night, apparently its 18 months old...wouldnt start, when it did stayed on a few seconds then died...anyway, put some fresh fuel in it and checked the oil, cleaned up the spark plug...

Starts up ok, cleared itself out of a load of white smoke and now starts first time no problem...however it struggles to run smoothly and basically seems to have 2 settings when using the throttle, on full and cutting out completely, above half way it goes onto full throttle...below that it cuts out.

The air filter seems to be missing, and the small springs both seem to need replacing as they seem to have lost their tension...not sure if either of these are related...

Chris, August 2007

Hi
Don't replace the springs, they are always floppy-looking. They work against each other. One is put into operation by the throttle lever, the other by a flap which is in the path of the cooling air, and acts like a speed governor. If you remove the starteing rope and its housing, you will see the flap, and you can check if it's free to move. When you get the mower running again, move the lever on the carburettor which is controlled by the flap, and see if the throttle responds.
You should see the springs working.
Jack

Jack Rogerson, September 2007