Exactly MF - you never know. My bet is it was dripping fuel, and Mr average checks google, buys a o ring unscrews jet, puts on O ring (maybe drops needle) and puts it back wrong.
The same type of person who replaces briggs governor springs with tie wire, cross threads spark plugs, etc
Can't complain - I got a Masport Lawn Marshall with the last of the flat head 450s off the curb last year - diaphragm and gasket put on upside down, primer fix attempted with duct tape
Good little runner now - although the idle on them is high enough to cut grass with
