Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Cleaning carburetor on riding mower, briggs stratton engine, john deere riding mower

Question
Hey John,

My father has a 6- or 7-year old John Deere riding mower with the Intec Briggs & Stratton engine. I decided to help him get it out of storage this year, but didn't realize what I was in for. He hasn't replaced anything (fuel, oil & air filters, oil itself, plugs, etc.). On top of that, he didn't add a stabilizer to the fuel, so the gas has been sitting in the poor thing for a good six months. So I've replaced most of the parts and am in the process of siphoning out the old gas (gas line too hard to get to). I'd like to do whatever a do-it-yourselfer can do to clean up the carburetor; I tried starting the mower before I knew how bad everything was, including the gas which definitely has sediment and has changed color. So without pictures, can you guide me in getting access to it? Then after that, what product I can use to clean it up? Or can I just add something to the new fuel that will do the same thing for me? Thanks in advance for your answer.

Answer
 Hello Gil:

 Go to this Addy http://jdpc.deere.com/jdpc/servlet/com.deere.u90490.partscatalog.view.servlets.H... and Enter the Model of the Mower (ie: LT172, LX172 or 172, 155 ect) and Click Find. *Your Model May or May Not have Letter in Front of the Numbers.* Then Click on your Model in the Results Area. Then Select the Sectional Index. The you can Select the Section of the Mower and Engine you Require. The Instructions for the Carburetor Process are Below. Remember when Disassembling the Carburetor. **DO NOT REMOVE THE WELCH PLUGS AND YOU DONT HAVE TO REMOVE THE GOVERNOR ARM FROM THE GOVERNOR SHAFT. REMOVE THE BOLTS/NUTS THAT HOLD THE CARBURETOR TO THE ENGINE AND CAREFULLY TURN THE CARBURETOR TO REMOVE THE LINKAGE ROD FROM THE CARBURETOR THROTTLE CONTROL PLATE.**  If for Some Reason you Can't Locate the Breakdown/IPL for the Engine or Carburetor at the Above Addy, then Send me the Model Numbers Off the Engine and I can Locate the Breakdown/IPL for you to View.
Disassemble the Carburetor and Soak Overnight in Carburetor Cleaner(I use Gunk in the Gallon Can. It has the Strainer for the Parts to be Submerged in the Gallon Container). Then Blow Out the Passages with Compressed Air and Install New Kit. Hope this Helps. I am here if you Require more Assistance. Let me know what Happens, Please. Thanks.

 Good Luck

 Respectfully

 John

PS: Carburetor Instructions: These are General Instructions. **The High Air Mixture Screw is In the Carburetor Bowl in the Center of the Nut or Some Carburetors have Both the Low and High Side by Side on the Top Side of the Carburetor. The Screw Closest to the Engine Is Usually the High Air Mixture Screw on this Type Carburetor.The Low Air Mixture is the One at Top on the Side and Goes Into the Carburetor.   Some have the Idle Air Mixture Screw Going Vertically Into the Top of the Carburetor. The Idle Screw is the One that Moves the Throttle Plate. The Following is the Directions for Setting these Screws. **If the Carburetor was Soaked Overnight in Carburetor Cleaning Solution and the Passages Blown Out with Compressed Air and a New Kit Installed,  then we can Set the Air Mixture Screws. Turn Both Air Mixture Screws In Until Seated. **DO NOT JAM  SNUG ONLY** Turn Both Screws Out 1 1/2 Turns. Set the Throttle to Full Open and Start the Engine. Override the Throttle by Pushing the Governor Arm by Hand and Turn the High Air Mixture Screw(bottom of the bowl) In Until the Engine is Revving Properly. Now Slow Engine to Idle. Set the Low Air Mixture Screw so there is No Hesitation when Throttling from Idle to Full Throttle. Now Set the Idle if Required.**