The engine blows puffs of gas back out the carb when the engine is cranking and when the engine is running. I can see a puddle of gas in the carb when it was running. I check my valve lash at 1/4 past TDC and the Intake is at .005 and the exaust is at .009 I have posted alot of topics recently and I appoligize if anyone gets upset lol but I want to know what I am doing wrong.

"using catch can, test for fuel flow to carb inlet by cranking engine. Be careful of fire." I would point out this will do no good as the engine has a fuel pump built into the carb. As mentioned way back up on this very old thread, check the vacuum impulse line from the engine block to the fuel pump. This will be the bottom line, gas line is on the side IF you took the fuel pump apart, did you find and properly replace the 2 tiny springs? I can send you a Service Manual for the engine IF you like. Address below, put in proper format and remind me the engine model number and what you want. Walt Conner wconner5 at frontier dot com

Shaun , Yeah usually better to start new thread , as you can see multitude of questions and not quite as many qualified responses. If you are comparing apples to apples Briggs not Tecumseh or Kohler , then yes the Briggs in question are junk . however if you maintain them , they will serve you reasonably . They have had a history of premature cam lobe wear and valve lash issues and bent push rods. They require religious mtce oil filter changes along with valve top end lube fuel treatments . Your experience could be any of 5 basic issues. Worn cam lobe , worn valve guide , dirty carbon fouled valve seats or faulty guides , loose valve lash rocker adjusting nuts or screw or a slightly bent or worn push rod . Only you can advise of the preventative mtce you have performed , regular oil and filter changes , fuel conditioner use etc ! Check you internal components and get back to us with Engine specifics Manf. Model Number , age , general condition !

Well, its probably as good as any other make in that same category. Those el-cheapo machines are usually made by only a couple factories, and painted and labled to the customers orders. I have here an old Murray tractor that is almost the same as a Craftsman of the same time period, 1992, except for the fact it seems to be built somewhat heavier than a Craftsman of the same time period. I had a Poulan once. It seemed to be built in the same production line as several Craftsman tractors i have seen. The carburetor system left a lot to be desired, as it wasn't, or didn't seem to me, to be very good. It had problems, so i switched it to a large Tecumseh carb, and that worked well. As for the engine--it ran well and did what it was designed to do, and i think it is still in use. Don't know that for a true fact, but i see the buyer occasionally, and he hasn't complained. And he bought it about 3-4 years ago. It seems to me--if you just want to mow a lawn, haul around a light cart or sprayer, and don't stress the machine--those cheaper machines will do that. But, if you intend to pull a large cart full of rocks, or fire-wood, or similar heavy usage--then you had best invest in something larger and better built. JMO