Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): craftsman 917.377521 lawnmower, craftsman 917, ring gasket

Question
My mower won't start. It seems to not be getting any fuel. The fuel comes out of the tank just fin and all the hoses are free and clear, and the mower starts right up if I prime the carb, but then just dies. What can I do?

Answer
Its clogged inside from either stale fuel, debri, or water, clamp the fuel line and remove the the small bolt in the bottom of the bowl and remove the bowl look inside the bowl if its brown its stale fuel, or you may find debri  or water either way youi need to clean the carb with carburetor cleaner spray it in all the holes you can find there are a couple of pinholes in the bolt you removed from the bowl too. there is a o ring gasket that seals the bowl remove it dry it off and set it aside its easier to put back on when its dry.give the carb a good soaking. place a pan or rags underneath it while you do this to keep the cleaner off the deck or it will eat at the paint. Its not a bad idea to remove the fuel line and drain the tank and clean it too. I allways clean the tank when I work on a carb, so i dont recreate the problem.