Toro 22" Recycler starts, then putters and dies... then no start.

Hey all, been trying to figure out the issue with a Toro 22" Recycler...
When you pull it from a cold start, after a few pulls it will start for a few seconds, runs like it's at 1/2 power, then dies.

If I prime it, then pull... it never fires... after pulling and pulling it will eventually do the same as listed above.

Changed the plug, cleaned the wires, changed the oil, checked the resistance of the blade... everythings all good, tested again, and all still the same result as above.

Pulled the carb, the jet and the bowl, all are clean, but cleaned with carb cleaner anyway... tested fuel getting into the carb, all good. Tested.... still the same as above.

Any ideas on what the next step is? Not sure what else it could be.
Thanks all!

You don’t say which model you have, but it you have a Tecumseh or Briggs engine I would say you will need to clean the carb again and replace the float needle and seat. This procedure will help you out.

[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Needle and seat replacement.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]Remove the carb, and then remove the float bowl. Check the float bowl jet (which is the bowl screw) and make sure the jets both horizontal and vertical are clean and open. Tip the carb upside down and remove the float pin and float with needle attached. Look in the float needle passage and you should see the red float seat at the bottom of the passage. This is where a #5 crotchet hook would come in handy as you need to remove this seat. If you have no hook, but compressed air, you can blow through the fuel inlet and try to pop the seat out. Put your thumb over the passage to prevent the seat from flying who knows where. No air or hook try bending a stiff paper clip to dig the seat out.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]I would either give the carb a good 24 hour soaking or have it ultrasonically cleaned at this time.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]With the seat out clean the passage way with carb cleaner. Now you must find a drill bit slightly smaller than the passage way, to be used to press in the new seat. Apply a very, very small amount of a very light lube to the new seat. 3-1 oil or lighter, to help seat it better. Carefully insert the new seat in the passage way with the rings on the seat down toward the carb body. Slowly and carefully force the seat down with the back end of the drill bit. Once it is seated, check to see that it did not flip and the rings are up. Next check to make sure that the float does not have any liquid in it. If it does, replace. If everything looks correct, attach the new needle to the float and install with the float pin centered. It everything is correct, the float should seat level to the carb body, when looking at it upside down. If everything looks good reattach the float bowl, making sure that both the bowl gasket and the nut gasket seal properly. Reinstall on the engine and test unit. Remember to have patience and take your time. Good luck, but I don't think you'll need it.[/FONT][/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot][/FONT]
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot][FONT=&quot]PS: On the side of some Tecumseh carbs you will find a plastic cover. Under this cover will be an idle jet. Remove it and check to see that the jet is open both horizontally and vertically. You should be able to push the old float needle wire through the vertical opening.[/FONT][/FONT]

I agree with rivets about cleaning putting a new kit in the carb. And if your engine is a 6.5 hp Briggs with the engine speed controlled by a governor rather than a manual throttle cable as is mine,be absolutely certain you reinstall the governor linkage back into the same hole on top of the carb from which you remove it to remove the carb.I have been fighting issues on and off for over a month what with cleaning and replacing the carb seat and float needle but dare I jinx myself and say I believe I have solved my carb issues.I will be submitting those results in my own post next.

Best of luck,

William