I have a Servistar (MTD) gasoline-powered push lawn mower, Model #115-074-015, with a Briggs & Stratton 3.5hp engine, Model #90700. It is somewhere around 15 years old. This year it has proved impossible to start, even though I changed the spark plug and put in fresh gas; it runs very roughly for a few seconds, smoking badly, then sputters to a stop. The last time I tried, I noticed there was oil dripping from the muffler, which makes me suspect something terminal in the engine.

Mike, September 2005

Had the same problem, turned out the AIR FILTER was plugged.
Unscrew the cover to it and clean it out with a little gas to get rid of any oil. Be careful in the future to not tip the mower in the direction where oil/gas will spill into the air filter.

P A, September 2005

Rough start and lots of smoke could suggest that some water got into the gas tank. Try a fuel flush treatment before you give up and buy a new one

gayle reid, September 2005

Rough start and lost of smoke could suggest that some waster got into the gas tank. Try a fuel flush treatment before you give up and buy a new one

gayle reid, September 2005