Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): My Briggs & Straton lawn mower is blowing black smoke, briggs straton, tank assembly

Question
The mower is only two years old. I recently added too much oil and ran it for about half an hour. I removed the majority of the oil after the engine sat for a week and added the right amount back. After that it would start, blow black smoke and idle very low, too low for the blade to rotate at a high enough speed to cut the grass. Now it wont start at all. I have checked and cleaned the air filter, looked at the carburetor without dismantling it (it showed no signs of oil in  it) checked the spark plug and all the fluid levels. what else could i do, short of taking into the shop? Thanks.

Answer
The most likely problem is some oil got in the carburetor through the valve breather when it was over filled with oil.

If you have a float style carb try draining the carburetor by removing the float bowl nut located on the bottom of the carburetor.  If you have a pulsa-prime carb/tank combination you will have to remove the carb/tank assembly, dis-assemble and clean.

The black smoke indicates the engine is running rich, receiving too much fuel.

Let me know if this helps.
Eric