Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): lawn mower, mulching lawn mower, float bowl

Question
I have a craftsman mulching lawn mower that was running fairly good for the first 4 months and is now running rough.  It still starts fairly easily but when mowing it seems to be sputtering and missing and not developing full power.  This started after I had turned it on its side to spray the blade housing out with water pressure and I got the whole thing including engine very wet. How should I approach this problem? Thank you, Stan Neal, Albany, Oregon

Answer
You can remove the float bowl nut located on the bottom of the carburetor.  This will drain the carburetor bowl and hopefully and water that may have entered the carb.

I would also inspect the air filter and replace the spark plug.  We find a lot of defetive spark plugs that cause poor running performance.

Let me know what you find.
Eric