L110 riding mower run rough and hot

[Outdoorjnky]

I have a 15yr old John Deere L110 riding lawn mower sounds like a old crank start model A and runs super hot. Thought it might be stuck valve (that’s happened in the past) but doesn’t seem to be the case. Anyone have an idea what the problem might be?

 

[Rivets]

Start by removing the shroud and making sure that a little friend has not built a nest blocking the cooling fins. Second, a lean running condition will cause a hot and rough running engine.