LTX 1045 Won't stay running
 

Model # 13WX91AT056 DOM01/2011 Serial # 1A281H20089. Mower ran fine 3 years ago and has been sitting ever since. Runs fine with starting fluid for about 3-5 seconds, then it dies. Tank/gas line are clean with fresh gas and in line fuel filter. Must be carburator issues, where do I start? Thanks in advance.

Drop the bowl on carb and investigate.... After three years sitting idle, you can bet on finding crap in the bowl and the carburetor. Maybe it is better to buy a new carb.

Remove the carb and clean it or replace it.
Not that hard on the courage single.
Make sure the solenoid on the carb is working.

Solenoid on the bottom of float bowl. Has a rubber o ring and the Ethanol swells it and it sticks. MAY be able to unstick it with some WD40 (YES I KNOW IT IS NOT A LUBRICANT!) or light oil. Test with 12V before replacing; red to plus, black to minus and the shaft should retract.

I don't think I've ever seen an o ring on one but it wouldn't be the first time i was wrong.

Well, they are in there. How do you think they keep fuel out of the coil? Usually not visible down inside the shaft yoke. Tear one apart, and have a look.

Ok i will thanks

Ok, cut one open and there are in fact 2 o rings but they would have no effect on the operation of the solenoid. They seal the ends from leaking, they do not keep the fuel out of the coil, the coil is sealed in plastic.
I did take some pictures and will upload them after making them small enough for this site.

I've seen a dozen solenoid shafts stuck from Ethanol swelling the rubber. the O ring seals the fuel from the coil which pulls the arm down and opens the passage to the main jet.

You should look closer.
If you've actually taken one apart you'd see how wrong you are.