Hayter Motif 41 with Briggs & Stratton engine

[PaulMo]

Hello all, Newbie here.. I have a 2010 Hayter Motif 41. Has been a really good mower, but recently won't start. I have stripped the carb and cleaned with an airline etc. Fuel getting through, new spark plug, clean fuel. It fires up strong and dies straight away, as before. Any ideas? Thanks! Paul

[Mick]

Hi PaulMo, and welcome to TGMF.

Have you tried pulling on the OPC cable to see if it stays running like that? 

Failing that it sounds like you still have a fuel issue.

[PaulMo]

Hello Mick and thank you. Very good point. I have not tried pulling on the OPC cable {had to look up what that is..}. Will try that tomorrow.

All the best, Paul

[PaulMo]

Hi Mick, I checked the OPC cable for slack etc. All seems ok. Will drain the fuel and replace with new. Maybe existing fuel can contents are not as fresh as I thought..  Thanks again, Paul 

[PaulMo]

Hi, new fuel and still won't start. Stripped and cleaned the carb thoroughly again. Will fire up with a squirt of 'Easy Start' for second, and then dies.. I notice the (new) spark plug is quite oily and smelly. Is a head gasket failing an option?
Thank you! Paul

P.S. I haven't used the mower for about 2-3 years.

[Mick]

Stripped and cleaned the carb thoroughly again. Will fire up with a squirt of 'Easy Start' for second, and then dies..

Obviously it's not drawing fuel by itself.  I wonder if, (and I don't want to insult you) But Are you sure you have the plastic insulator between carb and block the right way up? If fitted wrong it will create a massive air leak. The gaskets and insulator have to be fitted in the right order or it will run really badly.

[PaulMo]

Hi, again, a very good point.. Will check asap. Thanks! 

[PaulMo]

A further carb strip down, and I noticed a blockage in the carb jet as shown. Cleared with wire, carb cleaner and air line to make sure. Also, a small bit of crud still in one of the side jets of the float bowl fixing bolt. My 'thorough' clean was not thorough enough, obviously.. Runs really sweet now.. Thanks for your help.
Cheers, Paul

[Mick]

A further carb strip down, and I noticed a blockage in the carb jet as shown. Cleared with wire, carb cleaner and air line to make sure. Also, a small bit of crud still in one of the side jets of the float bowl fixing bolt. My 'thorough' clean was not thorough enough, obviously.. Runs really sweet now.. Thanks for your help.
Cheers, Paul

Paul, glad you got it sorted.  My Previous post I haven't a clue why I said to check those gaskets and insulator, that was me going into Honda mode and forgetting yours has a Briggs fitted. Sorry.  At least it made you check the carb again which got you there in the end. 

That being a ReadyStart engine they do that when there's a blockage, they start up and then die as it blows the choke off. Normally its the main jet at (part of the bowl bolt) at the bottom that causes it. But either way, you can now get your grass cut.