Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Mower Gas Leak from air Primer, hp model, excessive fuel

Question
Hi Tom,
I have craftman rotary lawn mower 6.5 Hp Model#917.388510. I last used it last summer and today when I filled it with gas all the gas leaked out of the air primer. Please let me know how this issue can be fixed.

Answer
Trish, one of two problems, either your primer bulb has dry rotted and now needs replacing, or the float valve is sticking inside the carburetor and causing excessive fuel to come out. If it's the primer bulb, some require a special tool to remove and reinstall it to not do damage to the new bulb. If it's the float needle valve, the carburetor needs to be removed, cleaned, and rebuilt. May be a job for the local shop. If your local shop is a fair shop the cost to rebuild the carb should be around $55.00....... I could be a little more detailed with the engine model number, and type number, you provided me with the Sears model number of the mower, and they use different engines even on the same model sometimes. Do you have a handy hubby to try the rebuild?........Tom