Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Sears lawnmower - trouble starting, briggs stratton engine, fuel air mixture

Question
I have a 1 year old Sears Craftsman 7.0 Briggs & Stratton engine mower.  I've mowed once this year with it and half way through it died.  I replaced the spark plug but it still won't start.  In tinkering with it, though, I tried starting it with the air filter off (after replacing the spark plug) and it fired right up.  When I put the oil filter back in it konks out.  I know little if anything about lawn mower engines.  Any help is appreciated.

Answer
Hi Mark,

If it consistantly won't run with the air filter on and will run with it off, then either the filter is restricting the air flow or the engine is getting too much fuel.  The air filter should be clean.  If not, replace it.  To lean the fuel/air mixture, try closing the carb's large high speed mixture screw a little at a time.

Let me know how you make out.
Michael