Starting woes...

[FarmGeezer]

Get right to it. Trying to help an elderly neighbor...Craftsman 42" rider. 14.5 hp. IC Gold OHV engine. Replaced the carb ( aftermarket off Amazon ) because ti was missing ( her son took it off to fix it???) Engine started with starting fluid and smoked and ran rough for about 2/3 mins. Cleared up and ran smooth. I set the idle mixture screw and idle after it warmed up. Mower will not start if it sits for more than 10 mins. without starting fluid...Compression is 100 psi ( hot ). Pushes fuel out of tyhe carb throat when I crank it. If the compression was not so high I would think stuck or burned valve? Once it starts it runs smooth and has plenty of power...HELP!!!

 

[mechanic mark]

Post all engine #'s, model xxxxxx, type xxxx, trim xx, code xxxxxx. You may have purchased a chinese knockoff.

 

[sgkent]

Pushes fuel out of the carb throat when I crank it.

Does it do this all the time or only when it is hot?

 

[FarmGeezer]

Wrong fuel filter. Replaced filter with a smaller screen type and leveled the fuel line ( had a belly in it ). Starts cold opr hot now and runs great. Yes the carb is Chineseium but it works as it should.