Bolen 500e 140cc mower engine wont run on its on gas.

[Tim57107]

I have a 2012 year Bolens 500e 140cc lawnmower that will not start. It has a new plastic carburetor, airfilter, and cleaned out flushed has tank. The mower makes good spark but the only way to get it to run a few seconds is to put gas into the spark plug hole (will run for 2-3 seconds) or spray starting fluid into the engine thru the opening of the carburetor. It will also run for a few seconds. The line from the tank is clear and unobstructed and the carburetor bowl has gas into it. The primer bulb is fine as if causes suction to draw fuel. The gas cap is only a year or two old. I cant figure out what else it could be. c

 

[Auto Doc's]

The carburetors have a design flaw with the choke lever on the carb rubbing the metal bracket running alongside the carburetor.

Pull the air cleaner out of the way and then remove the screws for the backing plate. Look at the base of the choke lever. It rubs and hangs to choke open. It takes a small fill to remove some of the plastic so it will clear the bracket.

The choke should be fully closed when the engine is cold. Also verify the linkage spring is in place for the choke to work.