Tecumseh TVS120 hard to start when hot

[johnl_]

Tecumseh TVS120 61030A DOM 4315 0

On a Craftsman walk behind self propelled mower. It starts OK when cold, after running for a while and shut down it is hard to re-start. It will re-start but it has to be primed 10+ times to get it to pop, then it dies and needs re-priming. Eventually with enough priming it will catch and run. After that it runs fine. I checked gas tank for water, none. I let gas run out of tank with cap on via fuel line, flowed fine, no sign of cap venting problems. I am going to do basic carb rebuild with needle and seat, clean out passages with carb cleaner. Is there anything else to look for as to why it doesn't like starting when hot?

john

[bgsengine]

compression - possible valve clearance issue is more likely than a carb issue. Or, it could be weak ignition (unlikely but possible) - Try a new plug for one thing... but odds are it is a valve problem... or maybe a head gasket getting ready to let go.