Have a 3.5 Briggs edger that won't start. If I spray starting fluid in it, it will start right away, but then die out. It is getting gas from the tank. The carb was very gummy, which I spent hours cleaning. I tested all the various ports with compressed air, and as far as I can tell, they are all clear. The only part that I can't really verify are clear is three tiny holes in the main part of the carb bore. I don't have anything small enough to stick in to see if they are clear- not even sure what they are for. Also replaced the needle and seat, but it still won't start. It appears to be obviously a carb issue, but I don't know what the problem could be. Any help or suggestions would be appreciated.

Also, if I end up needing a new carb I would ideally like to spend as little as possible- possibly of eBay. How do I tell what model carb I need? My engine numbers are Model- 93432 Type- 0036 01 Code- 9501103 I found the manual on the Briggs website, but didn't see a part number for the whole carb.

I think the bowl nut on that carb is the main jet and has 2 holes at the very bottom and one up thru the center, if so clean them very good and blow out with air or brake parts cleaner, it should solve your problem, if not post your progress and someone will have the solution. Have a good one. Geo

If the tiny holes you speak of are in the body of the carb as opposed to the main nut, you can try a thin wire commonly found on "toe tags". That's those stiff paper tags usually attached to items brought to a repair shop meant to show your name, address, and repair ID number. That wire usually does the trick. Probably find them at Wal-Mart or Staples for a buck a dozen.

Looks like a pretty basic float carb. If you get ALL the passages clear you should be good to go IMHO.

If I found the right .pdf file on Briggs site it showed your carb as #496863 if that helps. It was item 125 in the parts list and they want about $40. I would double check all numbers first though.

>Maytag
just my $.02 worth. Take my advice with a grain of salt as I'm a self taught weekend warrior when it comes to engines.

For the tiny holes use the wire from a twist. Have a good one. Geo

Thanks for the replies. Maytag- you were right on the carb part number- I didn't scroll down far enough to see it listed.

I have cleaned and recleaned numerous times and it still won't start. I used a wire like suggested for the small holes, and it did do the job, but still nothing. I don't understand why it won't start. I hate to buy a $45 carb, but at this point, I don't know what else to do.

You might check the compression. Might not have enough to pull fuel into engine.

Pin hole in the float? Try shaking it and see if fuel or water has gotten inside.
Float adjusted properly? Might be it's not allowing needle valve to unseat. With carb mounted on the engine try loosening bottom cover and see if fuel leaks out (with the proper safety for the gas of course). Is cover installed properly so the loose end of the float has some room to drop?

When you reassembled the carb did the needle stick at all? Should move freely.

Just thinking out loud.

Good luck.
>M:o

For the tiny holes use the wire from a twist. Have a good one. Geo

I finally broke down and bought jewelers' hand drill set. It was about $12 off ebay. This works great for cleaning / reaming those little carb ports. For a quick fix, I use to use guitar strings. I had one of every size.

Thanks once again to all who gave suggestions. When I was reading Maytag's last post I had an epiphany on what the problem might be. I never realized/thought about the bolt that holds the bowl on. That, as I'm sure you all know, has a hole in it for the gas to get from the bowl to the jet. I never noticed that hole, and never cleaned it out. Once I did, it started on the first pull:woohoo::woohoo: Talk about wasting an additional 8 hours- I probably put the carb on and off twenty different times.

look at it this way, when it happens again, you can get it off that much quicker :thumbsup: