Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): B&S fuel leak, starter cord, gas tank

Question
RE: B&S model 130292  Type 0159. Pulsa-Jet carburetor.

This is on a tiller that is roughly 40 years old. Last year I only got it started once, just enough to till my garden. While tilling, I noticed the top of the gas tank was wet with gasoline. There was no gasoline under the tank. I wiped the tank off, but within seconds it was wet again.

I finished and parked the tiller. A few weeks later I could not get it started. Took the plug off and put a bit of gasoline in the hole, replaced the plug and before I could pull the starter cord, the gasoline I had put under the plug was leaking out at the very, very end of the carburetor. It looked like it was coming out around the choke.

What would make this leak in this fashion? Could this be what is preventing the engine from starting?

Answer
Have you had the valves serviced?  Tillers are ran under the roughest conditions with respect to dust...an engines worst nightmare.  Actually it is the silica in the dust that causes engine wear.

I have found that old tiller engines are the most difficult to repair.  Yes, you can get them to run great at the shop but within a few months something else or even the same problem causes the engine not to run.

Have you checked to see if you have spark?  Your old engine has points and condenser unless someone has converted it to electronic ignition.  The point plunger can wear and cause oil to get on the points causing no spark.  

As for the leaking at the tank carb, these parts are prone to warping.  Briggs recommends using two tank/carb gaskets and two intake gaskets to help minimize the effect of the warped parts, i.e., leaking gas.

Check for spark and let me know what you find.
Eric