Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Kohler sv720 help, engine cranks, storage problems

Question
I have a Toro Lx 500 with a Kohler sv720.  I probably messed up by not properly winterizing this past year and surprise, I cannot start my mower.  I replaced battery, spark plugs and changed fuel.  The fuel pump seems to be working but the engine cranks but wont start. It did start up with some starter fluid, but died once burned off.  I did get a brief start later on with full choke, but died when released it.  So im not sure if I need to pull carb - maybe something else to check first?  is there a way to clean out carb with out pullin?

Answer
I think you're probably right on with suspecting the carburetor and the cause.  The gas nowadays is just horrible and 3 weeks is all we would recommend keeping it around.  You'll need to pull the carb, but this is a pretty easy one to do.  The best way to clean is in either an ultrasonic cleaner or a soak tank.  You can try spray cleaner but it's only about 50% effective for this sort of thing.  Make sure to use a rebuild kit with the cleaning and I'd just about bet you'll be good to go.

You can avoid these problems by always using something like SeaFoam or Techron in your gas.  Never leaving gas in the tank for longer than three weeks.  Always have the SeaFoam or whatever in the fuel and run the engine out of gas before storing.  This cuts the storage problems to an absolute minimum.  Let me know if you have any questions.  Thanks, PK.