Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): mower not starting, piece of dirt, carburator

Question
hi i have a murray 14.5 hp 42 in cut mower i had contacte somebody on this site and they tol me to clean the carburator i did and there appeared to be a piece of dirt in my fuel lines now i am for sure it is getting gas but now it still doesnt want to crank over sometimes if i try to start it for a while and let go of the key it trys to start by itself but while leave the air filter smoking. any help would be great thanks Tom

Answer
 Hello Tom:

 PLease send me the Make, Model of the Engine. It sound like the Starter is Dragging. If this is so; then Replace the Starter. Also you may need larger Diameter Cables. The larger Cable will help the Starter work better. It Increases the AMP Flow to the Starter. The Air Filter Smoking is an Indication that the Starter is Dragging. It cant turn the Motor past TDC or Just Barely does turn it Past TDC. Hope this Helps.

 Good Luck

 Respectfully

 John