How to rebuild a lawn mower carburetor

Move the lawn mower to a well-ventilated work space and disconnect the spark plug wire from the spark plug.

Release the catch and pull the air filter cover off.

Remove the air filter.

Remove the screws from the air filter base.

Release the breather tube and pull off the air filter base.

Place a shop rag under the fuel tank to catch spills.

Place a fuel-safe container under the gas line connection to the fuel tank.

Release the spring clamp and disconnect the fuel line from the gas tank.

Drain the gasoline into the container.

Wipe up any spills.

Release the starter rope from the mower handle.

Remove the screws from the blower housing.

Pull the blower housing off the engine.

Separate the carburetor mounting bracket arms to release the carburetor and disconnect the carburetor from the carburetor adapter.

Holding the carburetor above the bracket, disconnect the governor and choke linkage rods and remove the carburetor.

Release the fuel line spring clamp and pull the fuel line off the carburetor.

Place the carburetor on a clean work surface.

Remove the choke return spring.

Use an Allen wrench to remove the float bowl drain plug and drain fuel from the float bowl into your fuel-safe container.

Replace the float bowl drain plug gasket.

Lubricate the float bowl drain plug gasket with petroleum jelly.

Reinstall the float bowl drain plug.

Remove the float bowl screws and pull the float bowl off.

Remove the float bowl gasket.

Pull out the float pin and remove the float and needle valve.

Pry out the main jet.

Remove the retainer and O-ring from the outlet port.

Remove the air cleaner gasket from the carburetor.

Clean all carburetor parts using carburetor cleaner.

Spray carburetor cleaner through all openings in the carburetor.

Use small-gauge wire to clean all jet openings.

Carefully blow canned air or compressed air through all openings to remove residue.

Wipe down all parts with the shop rag.

Install the new O-ring in the outlet port and reinstall the retainer.

Replace the O-ring at the bottom of the main jet.

Reinstall the main jet.

Insert the new needle valve and new float pin in the float and reinstall the float on the float bracket.

Carefully install the float bowl gasket by pushing it into the channel on one side of the bowl and holding it with your finger. Stretch the gasket beyond the lip of the bowl and work it into the channel without rolling the gasket over.

Lightly lubricate the gasket using petroleum jelly.

Reinstall the float bowl and secure it with the mounting screws.

Install the new choke return spring.

Connect the fuel line to the carburetor and secure it with the spring clamp.

Hold the carburetor over the mounting bracket and connect the governor and choke linkage rods.

Push the carburetor into the bracket arms and push the outlet port fully onto the carburetor adapter.

Push the new air cleaner gasket into the channel on the carburetor inlet.

Position the blower housing on the top of the engine and line up the mounting holes.

Reinstall the blower housing mounting screws.

Reconnect the starter rope to the mower handle.

Push the fuel line onto the tank fitting and secure it with the spring clamp.

Position the air filter base on the front of the carburetor and reconnect the breather tube.

Secure the air filter base with the mounting screws.

Reinstall the air filter.

Position the air filter cover on the front of the base and snap it into place, engaging the locking tab.

Push the spark plug wire back onto the spark plug.