Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Ariens mower wont start - spitting gas, float bowl, rubber tip

Question
I have recently acquired a 1998 model Ariens rear engine riding mower with a 10.5 HP B&S engine. It was used very little and looks in great shape but unfortunately has been sitting for at least the last couple of years. The previous owner said that when last used it was running fine. It has both electric and pull start. The oil level was full and looked clean. The gas tank was completely empty so I added fresh gas. The battery is of course dead but when I tried to pull start it it seemed to spin easily enough but made no attempt at actually running. After attempting to pull start it numerous times I then noticed gas dripping out of the air filter. I removed the air filter and could see gas collected in the bottom. I tried pull starting again with the filter off and each time I pulled the crank a good amount of gas would spit up out of the air filter. I also noticed smaller amounts of gas spitting out of the exhaust as well. I've never seen this before (not that I'm an expert) - what could be the cause?

Thanks,
Brad  

Answer
This is normally caused by a defective inlet needle.  The inlet needle has a rubber tip, actually it's viton.  With the mower sitting empty that long the viton tip is probably hard and brittle so when the float rises in the carb bowl the needle is not sealing and shutting off the fuel flow.

You can try removing the float bowl and replacing the inlet needle.  You can do this without removing the carb.  If enough gas got into the engine you may have to change the engine oil.

Let me know what you find.
Eric