Smarg wrote:Drained the gas tank, the reservoir trap underneath and changed the fuel filter (a generic in-line type)
First there is not fuel filter aside from the fuel sediment bowl c/w screen and the carburetor inlet screen. This is a gravity feed system and unless an in-line filter is set up perfectly, it will restrict the flow of fuel to the carb and will cause the:
Smarg wrote:It actually runs now for only about 3-4 seconds then stops.
Smarg wrote:Yes, made sure I turned the little petcock back on underneath the tank.
Make sure that you open that petcock all the way. If not then the valve is not completely open and will also cause starvation issues.
The taking 5 minutes or so before it will start again might have a couple of reasons.
Now for the #1 spark plug. Squirt some good penetrating oil at the base of the spark plug. Good penetrating oil and NOT WD-40. Do this a couple of times - letting it sit for a bit an hour or so between squirts. Then carefully try to remove the plug again. I have had to use a cheater at times to break the rust free but you really have to be careful cause you could shatter the plug and that leads to a whole new kettle of fish.
Smarg wrote:The oil was really dark and old looking...gotta change it when I find out how.
At the bottom of the oil pan is a square plug.
Take that out - make sure you have an oil collection pan below it.
Then take the cover off of the filter element, remove the element. At the bottom of that fixture you will find a butterfly cap ... take that off too. Then you will end up cleaning out most of the oil. Let it drain for a few hours, better yet, over night. Then, you can change the filter element and the oil.
Once that is done, then suggest you put 1/2 can of SeaFoam in the crankcase and 1/2 can in the gas tank. This will help get rid of the carbon that is built up on the cylinders as well as lube and clean the valves. You will notice a lot of smoke, it will diminish after a bit and then disappear. You will be able to hear a change in how the engine runs - it will be smoother after a while.
Remember what I said before about taking a bit of time and reading the Owner's Manual?? All the answers are right there. Now mind you, no one minds answering the questions, it does help us learn to explain things better. But reading the manual will help retention of the information. Course, just trying to help.