Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions

A winter weather advisory is posted for Chicago, and my new-last-year Craftsman single-stage won't start. I added gas stabilizer at the end of last season, and I've changed the spark plug. I have carb cleaner and starting fluid, but I'm unsure as to where to apply either.

Can either product be squirted into the spark plug chamber? The starting fluid instructions say to spray it into the air intake, but I'm not positive of its location, and I don't want to permanently muck something up.

Many forums suggest a carb problem, but I'm unsure as to how to remove it. Again, I don't want to make things any worse.

I'm mechanically inclined enough that I can follow instructions, but have never worked on a small engine before.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. The machine is under warranty, but I'm told I need to bring it to the service center that is miles away, and I doubt it would be fixed while I wait.

Heh. I'll admit to making that mistake at least once, but this time the key is securely pushed in to the slot. Even tried the alternate key, just to be sure. Thanks, though.