Now we are cooking. Here is the Illustrated Parts List for your engine:
http://bsintek.basco.com/BriggsDocumentDisplay/18jsBLXBnfBhU7y.pdfHere is the Operator's Manual:
http://bsintek.basco.com/BriggsDocumentDisplay/flmvtLX-nfBhU7y.pdfThe engine's date of manufacture is 14 March, 2002. The last two digits of the Code should identify the plant where the engine was made, but I do not recognise 3E. By 2002 the engine may have been made in Chongqing, which is Plant 28, but I think Briggs had a certain reticence about putting 28 on some of the engines in the early days for understandable reasons. However I'm speculating, all I can say is it does not have a code I recognise. Now all of the side-valve engines, even the large ones for ride-ons, are made in Chongqing, and all of the small OHV engines are made in the US. Some of the large OHV engines are made in the US, and the remainder in Japan.
The carburetor is a Pulsa-Prime, which is a decent carburetor and does not usually give trouble except occasionally when the primer fails. Please read the Operator's Manual. The engine is supposed to be started with the speed control at maximum speed, then should be dropped back in speed as soon as it is running smoothly with the choke off. (In cold weather you may not be able to open the choke completely until it warms up - this is an emissions engine.)
Please try it as per the Operator's manual, and report back on how it behaves.
