Troy - Built 21" walk behind mower
Briggs 550EX Series 140cc
Model # 09P702-0005-F1
DOM Sep 28 12
This is my personal home lawnmower that I purchased back in 2012. (Yes, I know it is an "El Cheapo" low quality Lowes mower! ) That being said, it has actually served me (surprisingly) well until very recently. The last few times I went to use it it was very hard to start. I had to do repeated pulls on the starter cord (Today 15 times) only to have it keep sputtering and stop until it finally started then spewed black smoke. Once it gets up and running it does fine the rest of the day. No more black smoke and starts up and runs fine every time on the day I am using it. I pulled the spark plug and it was black (rich) and wet with fuel. Even the bottom of the air cleaner filter element was partially wet with fuel. It seems that once I shut it off and do not use it for a week or so fuel is leaking into and flooding the carb and sparkplug. That sounds like it could be a needle/seat and/or float problem to me? What do you all think? This is the newest small engine I have ever worked on- most of my "patients" are 50-60 years old!
Here is my question:
Briggs sells a carb "rebuild kit"for $ 28.00 or a new carb for $ 48.00. Orrrrrrrrr..... I can buy an after-market (China-made)entire carb for anywhere from $10-22, with free shipping on eBay. Before I take anything apart to inspect or purchase anything, what would you pros recommend?
Thank you as always,
Michael ****EDIT:(More information) I just had the mower off for about 2 hours and went to start it- It fired right up with no black smoke or sputtering. What ever is causing the condition I described must take awhile.