craftsman 26hp riding mower wont run

[the1phoneman]

need a little advise, i have a craftsman 26 hp riding mower model 445677 with the b&s twin motor. carb # 1611206. the mower started loading up and wouldn't run unless the choke was partially out,the fully out, then it finally quit. after sitting it would restart for about 30 seconds then die. thinking fuel starvation i replaced the fuel filter and removed and cleaned the carb. and i found the vacuum line to the fuel pump cracked and deteriorated and replaced it. no improvement. i just happened to have the breather cover off and watched it from the top and noticed that it starts and runs for about 30 seconds then when it dies it gives a minor cough and i see a major backwash of gas from what looks like the intake manifold back into the breather area that collects in the lower cavity of the breather. i checked the float for proper operation and it seems fine. any suggestions? this also happened last year and not knowing that the gas was pooling in the breather i thought the crankcase ventilation had malfunctioned and spit oil out not knowing that excess fuel ran out of the breather and down onto the frame after sitting for a week. the situation last year cleared up on its own after it sat in my shop a couple of weeks. time to buy a new carb???

 

[motoman]

Take a look at the troubleshooting charts in this forum. Put together by pros!

 

[Carscw]

need a little advise, i have a craftsman 26 hp riding mower model 445677 with the b&s twin motor. carb # 1611206. the mower started loading up and wouldn't run unless the choke was partially out,the fully out, then it finally quit. after sitting it would restart for about 30 seconds then die. thinking fuel starvation i replaced the fuel filter and removed and cleaned the carb. and i found the vacuum line to the fuel pump cracked and deteriorated and replaced it. no improvement. i just happened to have the breather cover off and watched it from the top and noticed that it starts and runs for about 30 seconds then when it dies it gives a minor cough and i see a major backwash of gas from what looks like the intake manifold back into the breather area that collects in the lower cavity of the breather. i checked the float for proper operation and it seems fine. any suggestions? this also happened last year and not knowing that the gas was pooling in the breather i thought the crankcase ventilation had malfunctioned and spit oil out not knowing that excess fuel ran out of the breather and down onto the frame after sitting for a week. the situation last year cleared up on its own after it sat in my shop a couple of weeks. time to buy a new carb???

Right before it dies do the rpms jump up high

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

 

[the1phoneman]

Take a look at the troubleshooting charts in this forum. Put together by pros!

thank you. they were very helpful, crankcase was full of gasoline,i haven't figured out how it got there yet so i drained and refilled the crankcase with oil and a bit of slick 50 to prevent damage,changed plugs and put an inline fuel shutoff for now. starts and runs great except for a small backfire under full throttle and full load mowing,doesn't backfire if at full throttle and just diving. have a blessed day and thank you for the forum.

 

[motoman]

phoneman, Great to hear you are running. When you get some time check the valve adjustments, assuming the engine does not have hydraulic lifters