Garden tractor troubles

[knox5731]

I am having a puzzling problem with my Craftsman GT5000 mower with a B&S engine. The mower is about 5 years old and I'm having a hesitation problem when the engine is idling on high. It backfires and sputters a little bit and it only happens on idle. It still mows just fine with plenty of power. It started when I gave the engine a seafoam treatment through the gas line.

Here's what I have tried to do to fix the problem so far without success.
1) New plugs
2) New fuel pump
3) Changed oil and filter
4) The gas is good - new gas and I use it in all my other machines.

Any ideas short of a new Carburator?

 

[Scooby074]

Give your carb a very thorough cleaning. I use a carb dip like Kleenflo. Run a soft copper wire through all the orifices in the carb. Pay close attention to the idle circuit.

I bet with a good cleaning youll be fine.

Remember theres no such things as miracles in a can Your going to have to get in there and give it a good cleaning.

 

[dodge man]

Rebuild the carb. I have rebuilt several carbs over the years. People get intimadated by all the small parts. I'm guessing on your lawn tractor, it would be really easy.

 

[workmytractor]

I have this exact same mower and it does the same thing. Mine started doing it a few years back and I have fought with it ever since. As mentioned in the previous posts, you need to rebuild the carb and change the fuel filter. you may need to replace fuel lines as well. Basically the engine is starving for fuel and once you find the clogged orifice be it a fuel line, filter, or something in the carb you should be back in business. Let us know how it turns out.

 

[BigE_]

I agree with workmytractor, but I'd start out with changing out the fuel filter.

 

[flusher]

I am having a puzzling problem with my Craftsman GT5000 mower with a B&S engine. The mower is about 5 years old and I'm having a hesitation problem when the engine is idling on high. It backfires and sputters a little bit and it only happens on idle. It still mows just fine with plenty of power. It started when I gave the engine a seafoam treatment through the gas line.

Here's what I have tried to do to fix the problem so far without success.
1) New plugs
2) New fuel pump
3) Changed oil and filter
4) The gas is good - new gas and I use it in all my other machines.

Any ideas short of a new Carburator?

Clean the carb. Not a big job.