A little help? Lawn mower won't run...

[DP]

And it's a Honda! About three years old. Model number HRR216K9VKAA self propelled and has auto choke.

It was hard to start and I checked the spark plug and it looked good but I bought a new plug anyway. It finally started but it runs about a minute then quits. Won't restart until it sits for 15 or so minutes. Then starts, runs a minute, and quits. When it quits, it's sounding like it's out of fuel. Fresh gas, took a look at the carb and all looks good. Gas-on switch is in correct position.

Anything else I can try before I take it to the fixit guy (or girl)?

[bik]

Has it run reliably this season, or are you just starting after winter off?

If first time this season...

Did you run it completely dry of fuel before putting it away last year?

If there's any doubt at all about old fuel in the lines that might have gummed things up, you can try something like Mechanic in a Bottle:
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Mechanic-in-.../202580655

Edit: Did you check the oil level?

[testcase]

Yes, if this is the first start up AND, you didn't completely drain the fuel system, no-start, hard-start, fail to keep running is to be expected. Ethanol-based gas complicates matters even further. Seafoam added to the gas tank should help clean out the fuel system; especially the tiny fuel lines in the carburetor.

[hal]

The only engine that I have any experience with... when I worked maintenance as a kid, there were two common fixes, the spark plug and the air filter. Check and clean both and 90% of the time it'll fire right up. The other 10%, I'd go and ask Joe....

[Acer]

Try a stronger expletive.

[mrbigstuff]

Drain the bowl. Add Seafoam to new gas, shake, start.

My mongrel mower, after sitting in my shed for six months since last started, started on the first pull yesterday, thanks to my regimen.

[cbelt3]

Varnish in the gas lines / carburetor. Ethanol in gasoline in the US is the main culprit and source of many curse words. Oh yeah.. and it's 100% the fault of our glorious government and the Corn lobby.

[AllGold]

Sounds like it's clogged up somewhere in the fuel system.

[OWC Jamie]

Ethanol replaced MBTE for environmental and health concerns.
Blame the "corn lobby" all you want but transitioning the farming conglomerate from food supply to food and fuel supply took a lot of cooperation amongst many parties to pull off.

You can't leave ethanol fuel mix laying around like you used to MBTE enhanced gasoline.

Carb jets probably need cleaning and Seafoam might do it.

[rgG]

I second checking the filter then, if that’s not it, hit it with the Seafoam.