new to forum.. problem with carb?

[Bart70]

I sounds like you have somewhat of the same problem with your craftsman riding mower. I have a 1996 model #917217532, 42" cut, riding mower. It too has a couple of wires going into the bottom of the fuel bowl of the carburator. My problem is that the thing starts just fine, runs for about 20 min, then it acts as if the choke is on. The engine loads up, smokes, looses power and dies out, and then you cant start it until it cools off. The oil level isn't getting higher & it doesn't really smell like the fuel is washing past the rings. Jumped over all the shut off switches to see if maybe 1 of them was the problem. Same thing happened, ran 20 min & died. Reconnected all shut offs after cleaning all contacts. I'm at a total loss. Anybody else have any ideas?

Had the same problem with my 42 in Toro. Changed the coil.Problem solved. What is a Coil? Pull sparkplug wire off spark plug.Remove engine top cover,Mine has an inner cocer,as well. Remove that. Follow the sparkplug wire to the coil. There are lots of names for this.One is Magnetto. Easy to remove and replace.A card with directions comes with the coil.It also acts as a feeler gage between the coil and flywheel. When the coil gets hot it will shut your engine down. When it cools,the engine will start again.I had to drain and remove the gas tank to be able to get to the back bolts on the engine cover.I am a DIY. I had to be told about the coil. Hope it helps you.