First time out after winter (I drained the fuel before winter came), and I start it, it dies after two seconds and won't even start after that. Took it apart, cleaned out the carburetor (which I know is getting gas), gave it a brand new sparkplug and nothing. It doesn't even sound like it's trying to start. Any ideas?

 

What engine?
Remove the air filter and dribble about a teaspoon or so of gas into the carb, see if it fires, or tries to start.

 

6.5hp Briggs OHV. It's dark out but I will do that first thing in the morning and report back, thanks!

 

Without knowing the engine model number we can't get too specific but these checks will work with about any small engine.

Remove the spark plug. Re-connect the spark plug wire to the plug. Hold the plug so the tip or threads are touching bare metal of the engine. Pull the cord quickly (it will pull smoothly and easily since there is no compression in the engine) and look for the spark plug to spark. If there is no spark you could have a broken wire or a kill switch grounding and killing the ignition coil. If you had spark go on the putting fuel in it test.

Before putting the plug back in you can put a teaspoon of gas in the cylinder. This is the same test BFHFixit mentioned. After getting the plug back in and wire hooked up try starting the engine. If it sputters, or runs for a second then you've narrowed it down to a fuel problem. It could be the carburetor is still clogged or maybe the choke or priming is not working.

 

D01172AC is what's on top of the engine. I did the teaspoon of gas trick and that worked - it started up ok. Also accidentally shocked myself having someone start it while touching the sparkplug to the metal of the engine, so I know it's getting a spark. Took the carburetor off again, cleaned it thoroughly and still nothing.

 

Is gas getting into the carb?

 

Yep. Every time I've taken it apart there is plenty of gas in the bowl. Now I'm noticing It's actually leaking somehow. I'm at home Depot now getting a rebuild kit to replace stuff and make sure all of the gaskets are new. It appears the ring near where the floater goes in is severely worn.

 

DOH! Wrong thread

 

I considered that, now that I'm heading to a mower parts shop since home depot doesn't have what I need. Might be best to spring for the new carb and be done with it. I can't think of anything else being the culprit.

 

I would consider and at least price it that way consider time and all that, still could be a better option.
(I had meant to post that info in a thread for a kohler engine)

 

Reasoning for using the fuel test is that if it does start that should confirm you have spark and need not remove anything.

 

Yeah I'm a dope. I don't know half of what I'm doing but I'm learning how engines work.

 

Not at all eazy, main thing is to BE SAFE and not get hurt.

Fuel/Fire/Air, in that order IMO is the way to diagnose these type of problems. Easiest one to diagnose, and is usually 80% of the problems, is fuel. If one can bypass, or manually add fuel and the engine starts, well, it must be getting the other two.
Personally I would have added some other methods for checking for spark along with some warnings for safety's sake.
Curious to see how you end up with this

 

The carb is in the mail. Only 17 bucks on Amazon, should find out Wednesday or Thursday if that's the solution! Thanks again to all for the help, especially the teaspoon of gasoline solution!

 

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