Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): engine starting, fuel stabilizer, clean filter

Question
I have a Honda self propelled HXR 21 inch lawn mower I got from Home Depot for $600. I can't get it to start. I put new gas in it, a new spark plug and have a clean filter.  I sprayed engine start in the carb and it starts for 4 seconds and stops. What can I do next?

Answer
The symptom you describe is very common after sitting for the winter.  If you take the carburetor apart and clean the nozzle in the middle of it with some carb cleaner you should be good to go. To prevent this in the future, put a little fuel stabilizer in the fuel and let the engine run for a few minutes.  You will be able to smell the fuel stabilizer in the exhaust... At this point you could shut the engine off or for even a better solution... turn the fuel shutoff to the off position and let the engine burn all the fuel in the carb.