Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Lawn Mower Repair, craftsman lawn mower, briggs and stratton

Question
I have a Craftsman lawn mower with a Briggs and Stratton 6hp engine.  I'm not sure what model year it is but my best guess is 1996.  Its model number is 917.376272.  I'm a military guy and just got back from deployment to find that my  mower starts, then dies almost immediately.  My wife used it a couple of times while I was gone and said she ran it out of gas one time and then the problem started.  She never got it running again.  I changed the gas and the oil but it didn't change the problem.  I pulled the fuel line off and it was clear.  I'm not that smart on small engines and I'm stumped.  Do you have any advice on what to do to get that darn thing running?  Thank you.

Answer
Hi Jeff,

It sounds like a lack of fuel flow.  To confirm this, try squirting fuel or starting fluid into the carb intake and see if you can keep it running.  If it runs, then the carb most likely has dirt, debris or gummed fuel inside.  You will need to dissasemble, clean the small internal openings and blow it out with compressed air.  

Let me know how you make out.
Michael