Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Lawn mower dies after 30-45 Sec. of start-up, carberator, hi tim

Question
I have a 1998 MTD Pushmower 4.5 hp B&S possibly a 413F Model, I'm not sure of the actual model number.

I bought it brand new and have changed the oil & gas every spring and kept the air filter clean as well.

I took my blade to get it sharpened as i do every spring and was told it was bent and I needed a new one.

I put the new blade on and did my regular maintenance. I heard in the back ground someone else trying to start their mower and it would start then die, it did this 4-5 times and i thought to myself theres someone who doesn't do maintenance on their mower.

After I assembled my mower back together i pushed the primer three times and as usual it started with the first crank. I let it run for a while and recheked the oil. Perfect. In the back ground my neighbor is still cranking on his mower.

I mowed my front yard and parked my mower when I was done. I went to start it 2 days later and it started but quit after 45 sec or so. This process repeated 4-5 times starting and dying after 45 sec or so.

I told my wife and she said "that's what you get for bragging." She said this because the day before I was bragging to her about having it for so long and not ever having any problems.

I've read some of your diffrent postings here and am thinking I may need to disassemble and clean my carberator. Do you think this is the problem, if so could you direct me as to how to disassemble the carb., or do you think it may be a diffrent problem?  

Answer
Hi Tim,

If your neighbor with the starting problems lives within 200 feet of you, to the northwest, then his problem WOULD tranfer to your mower but only on weekends.  Just kidding.  I never joke like this but your story was funny and inspired me.

First, check the gas tank cap to be sure it's vent is working and not causing a vacuum.

To comfirm a lack of fuel flow, squirt fuel or starting fluid into the carbs intake and see if you can keep it running.  If you need to do the carb, remove it, disassemble and clean all the areas that you can see.  Probe the inner holes with a fine wire.  Blow it out with compressed air.

Let me know how you make out.
Michael