craftsman lawn tractor problem?

stevend · Jan 23, 2010

Hi, I have a 1988-89 craftsman lawn tractor. Orginally had a 11 and the owner said he put a 12 horsepower the engine is 4 years old. Bought the tractor this past september and has worked fine and started acting up about a month ago.
The problem occasionally when riding up a hill or on flat land after riding it a while the engine will start to lose power and will then die. Sometimes it will start right up and sometimes has to sit for awhile before it will start again. It doesn't do this everytime either.
The tractor usually takes some time to get it started, and goes to a high idle when warm.
I'm thinking something wrong with the carb? Any Ideas what to look for?
thanks

brin · Jan 23, 2010

The easy fix if it works is replace the fuel filter and blow out the fuel lines...

RandyT · Jan 23, 2010

what brand engine do u have

stevend · Jan 23, 2010

Hi, I have a briggs and stratton engine.

RandyT · Jan 25, 2010

Sounds like it could possibly be a gasket leaking. check were the carb hooks to the intake manifold, also were the manifold hooks to the engine as well as the head gasket. i have seen air leaks develop when the engine gets warm especially with the plastic intake manifolds. if u have the plastic intake manifold, the gasket mounting surface will warp if the mounting bolts are over torqued.

mostly_gas · Jan 27, 2010

If the gas system is no gravity feed then there is a fuel pump. My fuel pump went out after about 300+ hours of operation. It first started showing symptoms when the fuel was low and would quit at a higher fuel level over time. Once I replaced the pump all was well again. After changing fuel filter cleaning fuel lines then look for a fuel pump.