Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Briggs & Stratton 6.0 HP on Craftsman 22 lawn mower, carburetor rebuild kit, briggs stratton

Question
Hi Ben, B&S model 12H807-2632-E1-000308057 on Craftsman Mod 917-377170; ser no. 031300M 008006.We have been attempting to start the mower with no luck, when we spray ether into the carb it starts and then shuts off, after removing the plastic housing I noticer that the choke appears to be fully open and will not stay in the closed position. It can manually be closed and will revert back to the wide open position. When I put the mower away for the winter I drained the fuel and ran it dry, it ran great when I stored it for the winter and when I used the throttle/choke last fall all was fine and the engine ran fine thru the entire speed range. Now it will not start normally nor will it keep running.I found one response something close answered by John Bridges 15 May,2010, fuel flows fine into the bowl and all but it is the choke that concerns me. Thank you for your time and help at your convience.

Answer
Gary

Sounds like you may need to rebuild the carburetor,there may be some build up of stale gas that was left also it is not good to remove all the fuel out of the carburetor the gaskets may get dry the float could stick closed not allowing fuel to pass I recommend that you use a fuel stabilizer and run it with that. The stabilizer actually forms a film in the tank so the fuel won't evaporate,and this way the fuel stays fresh.Since you are spraying ether and then it starts  tells me you have a carb problem. Also it is not good to use ether use a carburetor spray cleaner, the ether tends to burn the valves.The carburetor rebuild kit is part # 498260 Cost $6.95. As far as the choke you may have a auto-choke system this has no adjustment screws the other is a primer system it has 2 adjustment screws. A new carburetor  # 790845 is $35.50