When your mower won't start: How to clean the carburetor on 5HP Briggs and Stratton engine

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Published 2017-09-21

After a long storage, Snapper mower model RP21509B wouldn't start.
This video details an on-engine carburetor cleaning. Shown is a Briggs and Stratton engine model 124802-3210-01.

All Comments (21)

@chasemorse2725 3 years ago

For anyone watching this, if you put the machine on its side with the carburetor facing up, it won't leak gas except for whats in the bowl and it's easier to work on
@ravisankaran984 4 years ago

Instructions were perfect to rehabilitate an 18-year-old Briggs and Stratton 6 hp engine that had not been maintained in probably 15 years. Thanks again.
@joemcsorley1528 4 years ago

Thanks, doing the Snoopy dance. My 25 ton log splitter died in the middle of a job. Cleaned the carb, fresh gas and new plug and no go. Watched this video and rain wire through the feeds on the carb....voila! Purrs like a kitten now. Thanks so much.
@DarthMohammedRules 3 years ago

For those who don't know, a twist tie wire (without the paper/plastic covering) is the perfect size wire to clear out those tiny holes.
@NWGulfDiver 2 years ago

Nice Work! Short, and to the point, no B.S., no unnecessary build-up. Thanks!
@debrathornquist2465 5 years ago

Thank you, this 56 year old young lady used your video. I had never cleaned carb before. It worked. She is up and running like a charm. I had gas spill like you said. I had already done the air filter & spark plug. So o Reilly and I got carb cleaner. She starts like a pro now.
@bobbrown8514 5 years ago

Thanks for the help . Got my mower up and running.
@robertobert 5 years ago

Thanks for the info. Mower was down for two years, all better!
@WiredEbiker 5 years ago

You saved the day for me! I've been trying to figure out why mine wouldn't start. Followed your steps and now I have a running mower again! Thanks!
@JackJensenTrader 4 years ago

Thanks for the video, but for anyone reading, first simply try spraying carb cleaner in the air hole behind the air filter. I was about to take it all apart based on this and another video, but tried that first and it was all that was needed. A 15 second fix.
@ooohlaa13 2 years ago

fabulous video, you made it look do-able even for this 79 year old lady!! Thanx
@jerseyinthephilippines1283 3 years ago

Cool thanks for the vid. I just finished cleaning mine out with spray carb cleaner. I sprayed some of it in my face while cleaning out the holes. I got super lucky. Thank God none of it got in my eyes. I hope it runs tomorrow I’ll test it out with 93 octane. Plus new spark plug. Go baby go!
@olukayodeokunowo4631 2 years ago

This is my type of carburettor with the same linkages. I have gained alot from your lecture. More grease to your elbow and more wisdom always.
@johnhajdu4276 4 years ago

Thank you very much. At 3:58 I could finally see, how my modified Briggs carburetor (made by pre-owner) has to work properly.
@jchae35jc 4 years ago

Thanks so much for posting this! Saved me alot of time and money!
@frankleavitt4718 11 months ago

Very helpful, Thanks. Replacing the small fuel filter, in the fuel line is often forgotten about.
@VideoCBCM 5 years ago

I just fixed my mower!!!! Thank you!!
@EastwoodPaul 3 years ago

This worked for me even though I wasn't able to do the second part to put a needle through the hole that you can see with the air filter removed. I just sprayed some carb cleaner in the general direction for that. It sucked having a full tank of gas to be emptied. I suppose a combination of bad gas and gunk may have been the problem. I also changed the spark plug and air filter for good measure. You saved us so much money we don't even have!
@Nancy-xg9nc 5 years ago

Very good video! Succinct and good visual. Thanks!
@bashirmahmood2861 2 years ago

Fantastic video Thank you so much.. Even tho my briggs and Stratton wasn't the same model there were enough tips to get mine working again.. 👌👌😉