Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Honda lawnmower repair, vacuum leak, air vacuum

Question
Hi Michael,
I bought a used Honda HR214SXA. It was not running at all until I cleaned the carb with a
spray cleaner. I had the carb all apart and it seemed pretty clean after I was done. I was able to mow the lawn twice with the choke on. When it was fully warmed up I could run on the Hi throttle seting but the power seemed low. Moving the throttle from Lo to Hi has no effect. When you engage the blade it nearly stalls out. It gradually got worse. Now it will
will only keep running on full choke. At any other
throttle seting it will barely keep running. With
the choke on you can rev it up manually with the throttle. But with the choke open any attempt to
open the throttle causes it to die. Its like a
lean condition from low fuel flow or its sucking
air somewhere it shouldn't be. Could the carb
still be gummed up and need soaking overnight.
Also how would I troubleshoot an air/vacuum leak?
I have also cleaned the fuel screen, tank and
fuel line. The linkages and springs on the carb,
governor and cables seem correct. Where do I go from here?

Thanks,
Wally

Answer
Hi Wally,

You are on the right track.  It sounds like a lack of fuel flow to me also.  I would check the fuel float setting to make sure that it is set level with the carb body.  Also check the float needle and seat.  The carb may still have a piece of dirt, debris or gummed fuel inside.  I have had to re-do a carb several times only to find one small hole that was plugged.  Use a small wire to probe with and make sure all areas of the carb are checked.  An air leak at the carb gasket does cause a lean condition but then the carb tends to rev high and out of control.

Let me know how you make out.
Michael