Troy Bilt riding mower won't start?

Question

I inherited a Troy Bilt Bronco riding mower that belonged to my dad before he passed away.  He only used it twice and it has been sitting for over 2 years now.  

It is a 2009 or 2010 Troy Bilt Bronco with a Kohler Courage 20hp engine

I have replaced the battery.
drained the old fuel and replaced it with new gas.  I replaced out the fuel filter and the fuel line is open and gas runs from the tank to the end of the line that goes into the carb.

I have removed the solenoid and the plunger moved up and down easily and you can hear it click when you turn the key on.

I have removed the carb and the bowl and cleaned them out.  The cleaner flows through the jets and the bowl fills.  The float is mobile and moves up and down easily and the needle is open.  There really wasn't that much gunk from the old fuel in there to start with.  This carb looks like it's brand new, and really it is.

I have checked the spark plug and it is working and producing a spark.  

Air filter is clean as well.  

The engine will crank but not turn over, unless you spray gas or carb cleaner directly into the carb adn then it only runs until that burns off.  

Any thoughts?  I really thought this might be an easy fix, but now I'm not so hopeful.

renpen · Accepted Answer

The carburetor is clogged up.  It needs to be removed, taken apart, soaked in a quality carb cleaning solvent and put back together with a rebuild kit.  It is still an easy fix but you can't scrimp on cleaning the carb.  If your engine has a fuel pump check to make sure it is pumping before you remove the carb for cleaning.

fearing · Answer

Troy Bilt Bronco Riding Mower

? · Answer

Troy Bilt Bronco Mower

Hondu · Answer

If that engine has been sitting for over two years you can bet that the carburetor is full of varnish and gun, the residue left over from evaporating gasoline.  It will be in the jets and tiny orifices inside the carb and you may never see it in the float chamber and needle valve.  The carburetor needs to  be disassembled, soaked in a cleaning solution and rebuilt with new gaskets and seals before your machine will start or run properly.

? · Answer

1

cajundude1 · Answer

I had a tiller that did the same thing. I had to clean out the fly wheel that had rust on it. A fine sand paper does the job well. You seem to have covered every thing else. Being a little used lawn mower, I doubt that you have carburetor problems.

Anonymous · Answer

Disconnect the fuel line  at the carburetor,..Check if flow is good..
Does it have a fuel pump,..I'd check that too, if it's pumping

gpsj6997 · Answer

gas line sucking air? small hole in it? if you have gas and spark it will run, sounds like no gas getting pumped  to carb

Jim · Answer

Check the needle valve on top of float.  (carb)     The hole could be plug

Anonymous · Answer

Maybe, but I am not 100% on it

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Troy Bilt riding mower won't start?

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