Engine 18.5 HP Briggs and Stratton Sputters and Dies

[coachhenry1]

Hello, I am new here and this is my first post. I have a Cub Cadet lt1018. I started it up for the first time this year and it started right up just fine. I then started to mow with it and it started to sputter and die. It started right back up without any problem. I thought that it may have been an issue with the fuel filter and the engine not getting enough fuel under load, so I replaced the filter. I also took the bowl off of the carburetor and cleaned it with some carburetor cleaner. I disconnected the fuel line from the carb and sprayed it out as well and sprayed the carb to clean it a bit as well. It appears as though when the mower rocks or his a bump (and my hard is pretty rough) that it begins to sputter. Any help would be greatly appreciated because I really do not like to pay the way over priced lawn mower repair man in my town. I really dont want to get behind on my 3 Acres.

 

[Rivets]

My guess it is time to clean and rebuild the carb. Post your model numbers and I see if I can find a manual.

 

[coachhenry1]

My guess it is time to clean and rebuild the carb. Post your model numbers and I see if I can find a manual.

It is a Cub Cadet lt1018

 

[Rivets]

Engine model numbers

 

[coachhenry1]

Engine model numbers

OH, sorry. Where would I find that?

 

[Rivets]

They are stamped on the engine cover, valve cover or side shields.

 

[coachhenry1]

They are stamped on the engine cover, valve cover or side shields.

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I ended up draining the majority of the gas out of the gas tank (that had sat over the winter) and did not have any problem for about an hour of mowing. Then it started to sputter again a bit, so I think the issue is with the gas, would you agree? If you do agree, do you know how to drain all of the gas out easily?

 

[Rivets]

Yes, it could be the fuel, but I'm more inclined to look at dirt or gum clogging one of the small jets in the carb.

 

[djdicetn]

Sorry for the delay in getting back to you. I ended up draining the majority of the gas out of the gas tank (that had sat over the winter) and did not have any problem for about an hour of mowing. Then it started to sputter again a bit, so I think the issue is with the gas, would you agree? If you do agree, do you know how to drain all of the gas out easily?

coachhenry1,
If it were me(try the easy stuff first) I would pour a bottle of SeaFoam in the tank, fillerup with non-ethanol gas and give that a try before deeper troubleshooting. May just clear your problem up.