Hi Bender, and welcome to ODK. The numbers are important to identify your engine, but by what you've told us(15 yo, and it's a quantum, with a primer carby) i can tell you it most probably has a Walbro carby with a fixed jet and no mixture setting. I would also guess that it is a 12 cubic inch, 190cc quantum engine. Your symptoms are consistent with a blocked/gummed up carby and if you follow vccomm's simple instructions it should come good. There are a lot of vids on Youtube that show the thorough cleaning process, if you want to take a look at a few for a bit of confidence/familiarisation and then have a go and come back here for any help/assistance.
Personally, there is nothing wrong or abnormal about having an attachment to a machine which you enjoy using and is of decent quality, like your masport.
As an alternative, there are a few private sellers of 2nd hand mowers in and arouund the ACT area, most of which can be found on Gumtree, who also do repairs and servicing who could get the job done for you for around $50.
