Uh Oh carb woes. Non Valk but still a Honda

[..]

Honda HR215 mower

Wont start even with some starter fluid encouragement. Well it will run for a very short while and stop.

Air filter clean.

Spark plu sparks.

I drained the carb fuel bowl. Gas looked brown.

I'm guessing fuel in carb is BAD even though ethanol free and Stabil added. Fuel from tank looks "clean".

I've ordered a new carb. $12 and free shipping.

Should I drain the fuel tank?

I tink I know the answer. 

[indybobm]

I would definitely frail the tank. A new carb for $12.00! Wow!

[..]

I would definitely frail the tank. A new carb for $12.00! Wow!

With shipping! Delivery Monday.

[Jess from VA]

The only genuine Honda part I thought you could get for $12 was a bolt.    

Throw the old gas out.  (find weeds)

All my equipment gets its nonethonal treated gas dumped out at the end of each season.

Except my blower gets used all year round.

[..]

The only genuine Honda part I thought you could get for $12 was a bolt.    

Throw the old gas out.  (find weeds)

All my equipment gets its nonethonal treated gas dumped out at the end of each season.

Except my blower gets used all year round.

Not OEM

https://www.ebay.com/itm/322941938700

[Jess from VA]

Well don't throw the old one out. 

[sandy]

I use to have an 8hp Johnson on a 23' sailboat. It wouldn't idle after several years of perfect operation. Disassembly found a small insect stuck in the low speed jet. Cost= $0. BTW: the bug was dead.

[Hook#3287]

Well don't throw the old one out. 

Agreed, you may want later.

[Bighead]

Paul I hqve a Honda pressure washer that will not start in the spring no matter gas or treatment or any other scenario.  Just take the one one the mower off and clean the jet.  It will start and run fine I am sure. My Honda mower I never treat the gas or drain the bowl and it will
Start with one pull every spring. I aint go the answer for why but it does

[da prez]

With your info , I would check the timing key.

           da prez

[Bighead]

With your info , I would check the timing key.

           da prez

Understood but I will lay 20-1 odds if he removes the carb and cleans it it will fire without effort.

[..]

With your info , I would check the timing key.

           da prez

What is a timing key?

[rug_burn]

Happens to my lawnmower regularly-   there's a brass hollow bolt you can screw out from the bottom of the float bowl, and it has a hole, about .012 in diameter on the side of the bolt, about half way down that gets plugged up.   I clean it with a piece of fine music wire, put it back, and the mower runs again;  I actually had to do it yesterday.   it's a Tecumseh engine, but the problem's the same.