sears craftsman riding mower 19.5 horse power. starts and runs but will not keep running...?
Answers:
Chances are you live in the North and haven't used your mower since last year. Problem usually is old gas. It turns to varnish - there by clogging the float bowl needle valve and/or jets.
If it ran fine within past 4 weeks - THEN I would look to one of the many safety switches. Such as Neutral safety switch or blade engage switch or reverse lock-out switch.
Try making sure it is nuetral, you are seating on seat, deck is raised, park brake is on etc... try again
Thirdly - check fuel and air filters
Remember - a mouse (or other creatures) LOVE to nest in the engine flywheel area and been known to chew on wires and lines.
I always drain gas out of carb and tank before I put it up for the winter.
If you need further assistance - Please specify a complete history and time frame.
Other answers:
My mom recently had this problem and the solution was to drain the existing gas (old from being stored over the winter), and change the spark plug.
She also ended up with a wire chewed in half by some unknown rodent. Once that was fixed it ran like brand new.
My mom recently had this problem and the solution was to drain the existing gas (old from being stored over the winter), and change the spark plug.
She also ended up with a wire chewed in half by some unknown rodent. Once that was fixed it ran like brand new.
About how long does it run? few minutes? try running it without the gascap.
Runs for a second or two.... make sure gas is getting to the carb, then proceed to blow the carb out (through any and all holes) good with carb cleaner. I'm hoping fuel stabilizer was used?
I don't know where you live, but in our area several of the gas stations have gas that was delivered to them with water in it! Might drain the tank and check that out....if it is last years gas drain it out, or add stabil to the tank and some new gas.