Briggs 15.5 spluttering on an angle

[aussielawny]

l got out an older ride-on to give it a run, hasn't been used for maybe 12 months. Had to spray some ether into her to get it going but it soon settled down.....started mowing and as soon as the mower was on a slight lean (angled down slightly on the carby side) it would start to splutter andalmost die until l got it level again. Fuel tank half full so not that.....any ideas?

 

[bertsmobile1]

water

 

[aussielawny]

water

Where?

 

[Fish]

Water in the carb bowl.

 

[DaveTN]

After an engine sits w/o use for any length of time not to mention 12 Months
I always drain the float bowl. Just did a push mower about 2 weeks ago that
had clean gas in it but wouldn't start. Used a 1/2" box end wrench and loosened
the bolt holding the bowl on and let the gas drain out as I shook the mower.
Yep, water came out and you could see it on the deck.

 

[bertsmobile1]

Water in the float bowl, water in the fuel tank
I have even seen a golf ball in a fuel tank do a similar thing
Some tanks discharge from the very bottom but most discharge from a bout 1/4" above the dead bottom
So when you are on a slope that 1/16" puddle of water over the entire bottom of the tank becomes a 5/16" pool around the outlet so some gets sucked into the fuel lines .
If this problem came after you had dissassembled the carb then the float catching on the bow; gasket becomes a prime suspect .

 

[aussielawny]

Thanks for the replies, l'll get stuck into it