Hi, I'm working on a 2006 Craftsman self-propelled push mower with a B&S 122T02-0824-E1 engine. It came in as a no start. Sprayed some carb cleaner in, fired up & died. Ordered a new carb, no help. Must be a defective carb. Ordered another, no difference. Rebuilt the OEM carb, no help. Made sure the primer is working; doesn't matter how much gas I prime in the venturi, the only thing that gets it to start is spray down the throat. It'll keep running as long as I keep spraying. Old spark, new spark plug, no difference. I figured maybe the exhaust valve isn't closing and it's not pulling vacuum. With the spark plug removed, I can see the valves. I removed the reel and operate the crank manually, and the valves seem to operate normally, but of course I can't be sure they're sealing well. If the rings are worn, would that prevent the cylinder from pulling enough vacuum to pull in mixture?
What are my next steps? Thanks!
What are my next steps? Thanks!