I have a Briggs and Stratton 875 Series power washer. (my mother in law's actually, which is my lack of experience with it)
It was on loan and just got returned. I try to start it, with nothing but problems.

The history:
-Tried to start, gas was empty. Went to gas station, bought regular and filled the tank.

-Primed engine per instructions (3 pumps), and after a pull, it started for a second, then stopped.

Repeated the process many many times. (bruised hands as proof). It seems that if I prime it (3 pumps or so), it can start, but won't stay on more than a second.

I did 5 pumps of the primer, and it stayed on about 1.5-2 seconds, then stopped.

My suspicion is a gas flow problem. I didn't see any gas flow controls. I had the throttle set on fast. I tried it on slow, off, etc. No luck.

Is there something I'm missing? I didn't see any fuel flow control

 

Try starting it with the trigger on the wand pulled, that will relieve any pressure on the system that might bog down the motor. If it will run doing that, a new spark plug should fix it.

 

Give the primer 5 pumps then when it starts keep hitting the primer when it begins to die....it it comes back to life and continues to run as long as you pump the primer, then you have a carb restriction.
If so, drop the carb bowl and clean the main jet.

 

I do release the pressure between pulls. But I'll give it a shot with the trigger held.

I don't even have a chance to get to the primer button when it dies. But I'll see about doing some stretching to make it happen.

Can you clarify a bit on dropping the carb bowl, and cleaning the main jet? By clarify, I mean, say it it in stupid laymens terms?

 

Basically your carb needs some attention/cleaning. How much or little depends. Many times you can remove the bowl, and use some carb spray and compressed air to remove any restrictions.