I have a two year old Craftsman push mower with a Briggs engine. It will start and mow for like 15 minutes just fine and then sputters out and dies. I have read the threads and think I have done everything said. I have checked the gas cap, drained the fuel and cleaned the gas tank out and installed new fresh fuel. I have taken the float bowl housing off and checked for debris and signs of water, none. I have cleaned the float bowl screw and all three openings are fine. I changed the coil just to be safe from a working mower and that is not it. Each time it runs for less time. And each time I remove the float bowl immediately and check for anything that might be present, nothing but clean gas. What could be heat related? Or do I simply need to go higher into the carb and buy a rebuilt kit. Kind of wondering why it would run so good for so long before it happens each time when it is cold. Any help will be appreciated. Lance
#2
ILENGINE
You didn't mention it but did you put in a new spark plug. I have seen plugs do weird things. If that doesn't work, then you will need to get a inline spark tester to check for spark when the engine dies.
I have a pushmower with a honda in the shop a few years ago, that would run like 5-10 minutes and would die. Could drain the carb, and it would start back up and run another 5-10 minutes. Replaced the plug and never died again.
Thanks for the reply. Yes, and oil is new and the cooling fins are clean. Air filter is new and I switched out the plug. I forgot to mention that when it starts to sputter out if I push down on the handle and hold the front end up it tries to keep running but still eventually sputters out anyway.
#4
ILENGINE
Get us the model, type, and code from the engine so we can see exactly what engine you are having problems with. Different engines require different on point responses.
It is a Craftsman 190cc, 6.75 hp Briggs and Stratton.
Craftsman model #917.370413
Engine number 13 1212 56 72027
#6
ILENGINE
your model number doesn't make since. It will actually say model, type, code above the numbers. This engine may have them stamped into the metal flap above the muffler. I suspect you are either loosing spark when the engine gets hot, or the fuel cap isn't venting properly and loosing fuel flow.
Good chance it is a Chinese made Briggs if fitted to a craftsman.
On these engines the numbers are etched into the crank case, left or right side at the back.
The numbers are very shallow and are done with a spark errosion dot printer
So they look like one of those old thermal dot printed receipts and can be a pain to read.
However they will have the words Model , Type , Code & Serial printed either above or below the numbers.
Lance when you replace the inlet needle valve and seat , check to see if the seat is a red coloured unit , they swell when exposed to ethanol fuel . So the Startron will be needed immediately !