Craftsman LT2000 2013 with Briggs 331977-0008 Intek 540cc engine, carburetor pulsating

[Auto Doc's]

Fuel flow looks good from the line, make sure to check the carb fuel inlet nipple and float seat are for any trash lodge in them. It only takes a small flake of debris to create headaches when it comes to carburetors.

I noticed the idle air screw has not been removed (Black restrictor cap on the side). Take a pair of side cutters and cut down alongside that black cap. Get the cap off and carefully screw the metal needle inward to count how many turns until it stops lightly.

Then remove it and blow through the passage and make sure it is cleared out. Install the needle fully seated and count the turns to get it back close to the original adjustment setting that you counted earlier

Once everything is cleaned and dried, reassemble it and see what happens. You may have to adjust the needle out or in slightly, but it should run much better without all the surging up and down.

 

[1chris1]

I'd highly recommend replacing that bowl gasket and little O ring, if they fail, they will overflow your carburetor
Briggs and Stratton 698781

Thanks for the part number, I'm going to order new seals and keep the carburetor. The little o-ring still holds for now, it got pinched when I left it up in the metal assembly. I then ran it like that immediately after, and the pulsating in that video was identical to what it was doing 3 years ago. The next morning there was a small puddle of gas underneath the air elbow as I also forgot to reconnect the small tube that goes from the engine straight to the bottom of the air tube. (I probably wouldn't have noticed it otherwise). I cleaned the air tube really good, reassembled the carburetor & it has never flooded again. Trouble is right after that first run it won't start again. So I am starting again at square one tomorrow with the air intake elbow off, but I have a feeling I might have engine trouble at this point.

 

[1chris1]

Fuel flow looks good from the line, make sure to check the carb fuel inlet nipple and float seat are for any trash lodge in them. It only takes a small flake of debris to create headaches when it comes to carburetors.

I noticed the idle air screw has not been removed (Black restrictor cap on the side). Take a pair of side cutters and cut down alongside that black cap. Get the cap off and carefully screw the metal needle inward to count how many turns until it stops lightly.

Then remove it and blow through the passage and make sure it is cleared out. Install the needle fully seated and count the turns to get it back close to the original adjustment setting that you counted earlier

Once everything is cleaned and dried, reassemble it and see what happens. You may have to adjust the needle out or in slightly, but it should run much better without all the surging up and down.

Someone told me to do take the black cap off and clean under there on TractorForum, I didn't understand the whole procedure with the adjustment screw -- thanks again for the detailed, step by step instructions as it is really helpful for newbies like me. I'll start there tomorrow and report back if I can get it running again or not.