Carburetor Problem

I have a 7 year old Tecumseh 5.5 HP lawnmower that has probably only cut the lawn 20-30 times. I only own it for when our rent houses are empty, we don't have a yard. It hasn't been run the last two years and wouldn't fire when I tried it.
I drained and refilled the the tank with fresh gas, it will run for 3-4 seconds if I pull the sparkplug and shoot gas into the cylinder.
Compression seems good and it obviously has spark to run for a few seconds.
I'm assuming the carb, float, pump is bad. I'm kind of mechanical but not on rebuilding small parts like carbs. Are new/rebuilt carbs generally pretty available? How much $ and most important does this sound like a good diagnosis.
thanks
slumlordfrank

 

You have a carburetor/fuel problem.

Take out the carb bowl screw and clean it out with a pin and carburetor cleaner. Spray the carburetor and work the float loose and bolt it all back together. Clear out the fuel line and put new gas in.

Should fire up and be OK now. If not, rebuild the carburetor. A new carburetor is avaiable (you don't tell us any specifics though) for probably 50 bucks or so for an average Tecumseh.

 

Thanks for the help.
BTW it's a Vector XL/C mounted on an MTD mower

I pulled the screw and cleaned it out, the float floats and it'll run for a few seconds then quits. So guess I'll call around and see about a carb rebuild kit. I pulled the carb off and it looks pretty straight forward. The last carb I rebuilt was on a 1954 Ford, but I guess I can do it, very few moving parts.

Thanks again
slumlord frank

 

Hey, Slumlord....This one's easy !! Remove the clip holding
the bowl onto the carb body. Install a NEW bowl kit assy,
part # 730235B for $16. This replaces the needle/seat, float,
main fuel jet, O-rings....EVERYTHING, for this small price. With
new fuel....GUARANTEED TO RUN !!! Easiest, most simplest
carb....IN THE WORLD. Try it and let us know.

Tcumcman

 

Thanks, for the help. No place in Houston had the full kit, so I got the O-rings, seals, gaskets for about $12 and put it in. Two pulls and fired right up. Usually I can do the "big stuff" on engines no problems, but messing around with the "small bits causes me grief.
Again, this site and those that hang out here has helped me out.
slumlord