took carb to snapper mechanic to have float needle seat replaced, now it wont start

[bmludwig]

I have a 28086s snapper mower. It ran fine after I cleaned the carb (i bought it not running), but the needle seat in the float needed to be replaced. I took it to a snapper mechanic who did the repair. Now the mower will not start. I sprayed starting fluid in it, but it barely pops. I have the needle turned out 1.5 turns and the idle set at 3/4 turns. It seemed to be flooding out, so I pulled the float bowl off. Float works properly. I noticed the jet in the bottom where the mixture screw seats and the head of the jet is partially stripped where a flathead screwdriver would fit. I now cant back it out. Can this be causing my trouble? I did check spark and its got spark. So no safety switch issues. Compression is good. Anything im missing?

 

[ILENGINE]

You don't say what engine is on the mower, but I am assuming briggs from the carb description. Messing up the jet can effect the fuel inlet size, and unfortunely will may need to use an ez out to remove the jet and replace it. Or the striped head may not have anything to do with the no start problem.

Unless you are using the correct tool remove the jet, it will strip the head. Most straight blade screwdrivers have a taper to the spade part of the head. This taper will cause the screwdriver to ride up in the jet slot mainly because of the soft brass. Briggs has special not tapers screwdrivers for there jets.

 

[motoman]

Many do not know screw drivers have sizes and the blade width is important for leverage. Careful dubbing with a bench grinder can allow a home hobbyist to create a square tip.