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???
