Lawnmower won't stay running?
I've recently begun my lease on a house for a year, and I'm required to do lawn maintenance. Lucky, there was a lawnmower in the garage! Hooray i don't have to buy one. Unfortunately, the lawnmower won't stay running after it starts.
So yes, I can prime it, pull the string and get it to start then it dies right after.
If I continue to prime it after starting it, it continues to run. This leads me to think there is a problem with the fuel flow. But I'm stumped on how to solve the issue.
The lawn mower is a weedeater model number 96114001404.
Its engine is a Briggs and Stranton 300 series
Model 9S502
Type 1019-B1
Code 09041551
I've done some research on their site, but i'm not sure how helpful its been. Link to Briggs:
http://engines.myfaqcenter.com/Answer.aspx?p_faqid=1367
Any help would be greatly appreciated! 
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4 Responses to “Lawnmower won't stay running?”-
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for starts this is a crappy mower…all briggs are….the problem lies in one of two places….on your motor the carb sits atop the gas tank i believe…if this is the case you need to replace the diaphram…..if you have a theisons in your area it is a briggs diaphram and runs about 4 dollars…..if the carb is behind the tank not on top, then there will be a bowl under the carb…you take off the small bolt in the middle and CAREFULLY remove the bowl….there will be a float inside with a small needle attached to a spring….clean that needle and the rubber seat it seals to…. and put it back together…..these are the two ways brigs lawn mower motors 3-6.5 hp take in fuel……
to replace diaphram on the forementioned, take off the bolts and springs to the carb and throttle….remove carb, pull off old diaphram and replace with new one…..it is a 2 piece gasket set….
There are two fuel circuits in the carburetor: start/idle and run. The primer bulb pumps fuel through the start/run circuit. The run circuit has separate jets that provide the fuel for the engine to run. Since the mower has been sitting for centuries, the jets have clogged with varnish. It will take some effort to use carb cleaner and try to clean out that varnish. There may be a needle valve (external mount) that can be removed, spary carb cleaner into the opening, then reinstall the valve. Back off the valve about 1 1/2 turns for initial setting.
You could remove the carburetor and clean it with carb cleaner, or buy another carb for about $70 give or take $70.
The carb is probably dirty. Either take it to the local service center for a tune up or learn to service it yourself and then take it to the service center if you fail to do the service tune up properly. Service to carb is the most needed thing to the typical lawnmower. There are several Briggs service manuals in print. Fastest and easiest is a service at the local lawn mower shop. Probably about $75 for a full tune up. Check C list for used mowers that work.
The gas is probably old. If it is, dump it out and drain the fuel line. Make sure the choke isn’t stuck. Take the air cleaner off (one screw) and wash the filter and re-install. Take the spark plug out and clean the electrode with sandpaper and re-install. If you can locate the line filter on the gas line, replace this or soak in penetrating oil. Add fresh gasoline and 2 oz. of a gasoline stabilizer to the tank.
The mower should start and keep running. If it starts to die out, choke it until the gas flow is stabilized. If it still won’t stay running you have a buildup of varnish in the carburetor and you’ll have to clean this