Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Tecumseh Engine will not start, little holes, needle valve

Question
QUESTION: Hi David,
 My neighbor gave me his 1995 Murray lawn mower #217777X99D, with a Tecumseh VLV series 5.5 HP rotary engine.It has very little time on the engine and has sat up ( fuel drained) for years. I've changed the plug, oil, and air filter.It has a bulb type primer. It will run for a short 3 second burst if I prime it many,many times.But that's it. Does the priming action bypass the float assembly, thereby giving it a short run time. Could the needle valve be stuck.Any ideas?
  Thanks for your help ,

  Mark

ANSWER: It sounds like you need to either replace or have the carb serviced.  Its cheaper to replace the carb then to repair it.

Is the fuel valve turned on??  

IF you decide you want to attempt to clean the carb let me know and i can walk you through it.


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: China Dave,
 I think I will rebuild the carb. Appears to be in good shape...maybe just needs the "O" ring on the red post in the center.Needle valve is fine. Is there anywhere that you recommend buying parts.? Carb # 1538E5V.

Thanks

Answer
Look under "engines gasoline" in your yellow pages.  Any dealer that repairs air cooled engines will have access to parts.  Make sure you clean the "pipe" with carb cleaner and probe the little holes with a small piece of wire.  You need to make sure the pipe is clean all the way from the bottom of the bowl through to the carb.  You will see your wire sticking into the throat of the carb when you insert it all the way from the bottom of the carb.  Any good canned carb cleaner with a little straw nozzle will do the trick for you

David R