I have changed the fuel filter, cleaned the air filter, pulled the sparkplug, smells of gas and does spark when I turn the ignition. It is possible that the battery is weak (though the spark did ignite fumes in the mounting area when it cranked), I have not confirmed this. My question is this: is it possible that the float is bad and I am flooding the ignition chamber or is a weak battery the most likely culprit?

The engine is the 280707. Also, how would I measure the rpm, I would like to go ahead and bring this baby up to snuff. The manual says this is adjustable.

Sounds like engine was flooded,check your oil and see if its overfull, if so then the float has been sticking open and has filled the crankcase, as well as the cylinder,when you pulled plug and spun engine the gas that had seeped into cylinder probably blew out and spark ignited it. Where throttle cable hooks to engine, behind that assembly is a spring attached to governor rod and throttle assembly,you bend the piece on throttle assembly where spring hooks upward to increase rpms with throttle cabe in wide open position,briggs makes a special tool to get behind there and bend it,but it can be done without it.

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Its not the rpm when running.... but yes, the rpm when starting it needs to be good. Make sure the battery cables are free of corrosion and tight, and its charged good.
Next... smell the oil, smells like gas? don't start it until you drain the oil and refill with fresh.... gas in the oil is bad...
Next would be to make sure the float isn't sticking, and its not full of gas. And replace the inlet needle and seat. Probablly has a rubber tip on the inlet needle though.

And make sure the float is parrallel to the carb body.


If the spark plug gets wet with oil, won't start easy, let it dry and try.