Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Honda lawnmower runs poorly, honda lawnmower, vacuum leak

Question
Hi Mark,
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?

Answer
Hello Wally,
You are on the right track. What you should do is check the seal between the carburetor and the air intake. If the seal is ok there the the the bottom piece of the carb is not sealing to the top of the carb. You may need to replace the carb gasket. If you would like you may soak the carb in some gaoline overnight. Next replace filters/ or spark plugs if they are dirty or built up with black carbon(the plug looks burnt when this sets in) Good luck!