Sears Craftsman 22HP V-Twin 48 Turn Lawn Tractor Model No. 917.20391
Briggs & Stratton Intek V-Twin Model No. 44R677-0019-G1
Purchased April 2014 just shy of 100 hours running.
Engine seems to be running at about half power after 3 weeks of sitting in garage. Will start with choke engaged, but not run up to normal speed. Turn choke off and leave throttle at high, engine will eventually fade down to nothing and turn off (push to choke, it catches back on, choke off, low power and sometimes cuts out). If I engage the blades it almost dies and has a really hard time getting back to about (1/2) rpm. Have tried:
1) Replaced both spark plugs.
2) Started engine with one plug in, one plug out then switched. Both will start engine -- no difference in power.
3) Pulled hose off fuel filter (closest to fuel pump) with engine off gas free flows out of fuel filter just with gravity feed from tank. Pulled and reconnected vacuum hose (no cracks).
4) Cleaned air filter. Also ran engine with air filter removed same low power.
5) Pulled valve covers all spacings seem equal at full stroke and tappets only slightly loose to same degree when not engaged (no feeler gauge to check). All tappets are tight when engaged. Looks like good oil coverage.
6) Just added about 4 gallons of new gas to the gas tank. Not sputtering or backfiring.
7) Check muffler for blockage, looks fine.
Planning to change oil and filter, but oil level is good and it looks pretty clean. Will probably also replace fuel filter but it looks like good flow.
CRAFTSMAN LAWN TRACTOR Parts | Model 917203910 | Sears PartsDirect see page 31 in manual, check oil level on dipstick, does it smell like gas? if not make sure on full mark. Check air filter housing for obstruction at intake. Not running, have someone move throttle & choke while you are watching cable operation at carburetor, is choke opening & closing properly? Is throttle cable moving to full throttle position? Let us know if this helps or not, thanks.
To my surprise -- I called for Warranty Service this morning and Sears had someone out later that afternoon. Online scheduled said first available was September 18th, so I didn't want to wait that long.
Long story short -- bad carburetor. Got a brand new one and she runs great -- all other tests come out fine. Would love to have known what busted up that 100 hour old carb, but am glad to be mowing again. :thumbsup:
