So, I went and got a ratcheting tie down and it worked like a charm. Jacked it up, inflated both tires in about 10 minutes total. Now the sucker won’t run. It will start with starter fluid, ran one time for about 20 seconds without any starter fluid but now seems like it is not getting gas. The spark plug looks good but I cleaned the electrode and insulator anyway. As I mentioned it was sitting for about three years without use before this, but without gas in the tank. Interestingly, the carburator sits on top of the gas tank and I can see no fuel lines. Any ideas in what might be wrong, and how to fix it?
It is almost definately a carb problem. After sitting for 3 years, the carb is probably all gummed up. I would go to the store and buy a container of carb cleaner and soak the carb in it, after taking it apart. Don’t soak any of the rubber pieces as carb cleaner will eat those up right quick. Probably your jets are fouled up. The key that it runs off started fluid and that it sat for 3 years is a definate clue.
Carburetor sitting on top of tank? Color me confused, because I’ve never seen any one or two cylinder utility engines that had any type of fuel pump. Cleaning the carb is a good idea, but you might try a shortcut. First-you say the plug looks good, but like Charlie Tuna, you want a plug that sparks good. Clip lead the bottom electrode to the block or hold it there while a helper pulls the start cord. If you don’t get a crisp blue-white spark, then that needs attention.
After that, then you need to look at cleaning the carb, ensuring there is no sediment in the separator, that fuel is fresh, and so forth.
How about a make and model number for this pup so we can do some online looky? I wanna see this carb top arrangement.