Ihave a tank mounted carby type Briggs and Statton

Check the fuel tank pickup filter screen.

low fuel flow to the carby
blocked main jet in carby ( probable)
check filter in the tank on the end of then tap

take the plug lead off and hold it near to some metal part on the mower, move the throttle lever to around midway and pull the mower cord, if there is a spark the electrical part of the mower is working.
remove the plug, put the lead back on the plug and earth the plug on a metal area and pull the cord again, if there is spark across the points on the plug then the plug is ok, if not replace the plug and try again.
assuming that the plug and lead checks out fine then check the fuel supply, remove the air filter from the side of the carbi and spray some fuel directly into the throat of the carbi and pull the starter cord, if the engine runs for a few seconds you can assume that you have a fuel problem, possibly the filter inside the fuel tank is clogged.

The governor spring is stretched.

if it starts on choke and then stops may need to clean out carby and fuel tank

This is usually caused by either the introduction of air between the carb and the engine (loose carb mounting bolts or nuts) or.... debis in the fuel system. The debris in the fuel system would be on a float bowl type carb. If you have the carb that is mounted on top of the gas tank... tighten the screws that hold the carb to the tank.

If you pass me a complete / exact engine number off of the air shroud by the spark plug lead, I will pass you a parts list and identify the parts you need to look at.

We can get this corrected.. just need that engine model / type / series number.

Thanks for choosing FixYa,
Kelly

Hi bilsdrums53...
Sounds like you have debris/trash in your carburetor or maybe water in the fuel tank.
Check and clean your fuel tank.
Clean your carburetor and that should solve your problem

Guessing you have a briggs and stratton motor with a tank mounted carb.Remove the tank and carb. from the mower and replace the rubber diaphram between the carb. and tank and clean it while its off

hey mate, it sounds like you have a fuel blockage weather it is in the fuel tank fuel filter or carby you cant tell, i recommend that you start at the fuel tank and flush it out make sure there is no debris on the filter screen then check for a in-line fuel filter you can remove this and back flush it with compressed air or replace with a new one, if it still does not work then you have a blockage in your carby, this is a bit more complex alot or small parts in there and i would recommend taking it to your local small engine dealership for repair...

Regards
Brad:)

if the machine has a briggs and stratton engine with a primer next to the fuel cap?? your problem wil be the carby diaphram remove the tank and carby to replace the gasket and diaphram under the carby