Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): lawn mower wont start, carburetor body, adjustment screws

Question
QUESTION: What happens when a mower is stored over a period of time standing on its front wheels?  Could it cause oil to get into the cylinder?  Any troubleshooting solutions?

ANSWER: Hello Lesley:

Which Direction was the Spark Plug on the Engine Pointed? Up or Down? If the Plug was Pointed Up, then No Oil will be in the Cylinder. If Pointed Down, then the Cylinder will be Full Of Oil. If this Mower has been Sitting a While, then the Carburetor will Most Likely have to be  Remove, Disassemble and Soak the Carburetor Overnight in Carburetor Cleaner (I Use Gunk). I have Found that Most People can Use a Breakdown/IPL and Disassemble the Carburetor Enough for Proper Cleaning. You Only have to Remove the Bowl, Float Pin, Float and Needle Valve and Any Adjustment Screws that Go Into the Carburetor Body. The Welch Plugs Do Not have to be Removed. Then Soak the Carburetor Body and Parts in a 1 Gallon Can of Gunk Carburetor Cleaner Overnight. The Can has a Parts Tray Inside it for the Small Parts. Once the Carburetor and Parts are in the Cleaner, you can Replace the Lid for Safety and to Prevent Accidental Spillage. Then Blow Out the Passages with Compressed Air. Install New Parts if Required. **Here are some Diagnostic Instructions to Do on the Mower to Locate the Hard/Not Starting. Check the Spark. If Not Firing, then Replace the Plug. If the Plug is Firing, then First, Pour a Small Amount of Gas Into the Carburetor Throat with the Throttle at Full. With the Throttle Still at Full, Try to Start the Engine. If the Engine Starts and Quits, then Make Sure the Gas is Free Flowing to the Carburetor. If the Gas is Free Flowing, then Remove, Disassemble and Soak the Carburetor Overnight in Carburetor Cleaner (I Use Gunk). I have Found that Most People can Use a Breakdown/IPL and Disassemble the Carburetor Enough for Proper Cleaning. You Only have to Remove the Bowl, Float Pin, Float and Needle Valve and Any Adjustment Screws that Go Into the Carburetor Body. The Welch Plugs Do Not have to be Removed. Then Soak the Carburetor Body and Parts in a 1 Gallon Can of Gunk Carburetor Cleaner Overnight. The Can has a Parts Tray Inside it for the Small Parts. Once the Carburetor and Parts are in the Cleaner, you can Replace the Lid for Safety and to Prevent Accidental Spillage. Then Blow Out the Passages with Compressed Air. Install New Parts if Required. If No Fire at the Plug, then Remove the Coil Shut Off Wire from the Kill Switch at the Engine Stop/Brake Bracket (where the End of the Stop/Brake Cable Attaches at the Engine). Check for Fire. If No Fire, then Remove the Blower Housing and Remove the Ground Wire from the Coil. Check for Fire. If Still No Fire, then the Coil is Bad. If there was No Response from the Engine When the Gas was Poured Into the Carburetor Throat, then Check the Compression.  If the Compression is Good, the Carburetor has Been Soaked and Cleaned and the Plug is Firing, then Check the Flywheel Key. If the Key is Damaged, then the Plug Firing is Incorrect to the Position of the Piston During the Compression (Power Stroke). Send me the Model and Type Numbers Off the Engine, Please. With these I can Locate the Proper Manual and Better Assist you. Hope this Helps. I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 9pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.

Respectfully

John

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Somehow part of my follow up was missing.  I wrote that the mower is a Weed Eater Briggs&Stratton 500.  
Model# 9611400014
Serial# 050407M004641

ANSWER: Hi Lesley:

From Looking at the Breakdown of this Mower; if the Mower was Tilted Onto it's Front Wheels, then the Cylinder will Fill with Oil. Remove the Spark Plug and Turn the Engine Several Times to Clear the Oil From the Cylinder. Replace the Plug with a New One and Provided the Carburetor Does Not Require Cleaning, the Mower should be Ready to Start. It Will Smoke for a While and should Quit After a Few Minutes of Operation. Hope this Helps. I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I have taken out the spark plug.  I am mechanically  illiterate. What do you mean by "turn the engine"?

Answer
Hi Lesley:

Turn the Engine Means; Turn the Engine Using the Starter and this will Push Out Any Oil in the Cylinder. Then Re-Install the Spark Plug and Try to Start the Engine. If Oil was in the Cylinder and the Engine Starts, it will Smoke for a While and Should Clear Up. Hope this Helps. I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John