Craftsman YS4500 with a Briggs & Stratton 24HO OHV
Used it a week ago and it ran fine when I parked it in the garage. Yet yesterday when I fired it up it backfired a couple times and now is sputtering at idle if at full throttle with a light amount of smoke (no cloud or anything). But definitely starts no problem and doesnt even need a choke like normal but its just sputtering if at full throttle but ok at about 2/3 throttle. (Wont start or idle if I have choke on by the way)
Honestly know very little about this stuff but with times tough I want to at least try to verify what I can first before calling in an expensive repair in case I can save a few bucks as I at least can change a filter or plug if need be. Anyhow, thus far I have:
Checked the oil which is only a couple months old and is clean and at level.
Checked Air filter, which definitely has dirt in it, although it doesn't look horribly clogged by any means but its dirty.
Checked Spark plugs for anything obvious to me and I don't see any major deposits or anything obvious that I could see.
Checked the fuel level and of course it has fuel and the same fuel that it drove on when I parked it a week ago.
Is there anything obvious I am missing that I can test or check on my own? Just seems so odd to park it a week ago after literally driving it right into the garage after mowing yet now have it be sputtering.
It is always a good idea to post the model number when asking an engine question however, this is likely a 44 series. I would check that it is running on both cylinders. Pull one plug wire at a time and see if it will start. These will start and run happily on one cylinder when all is well. My guess it isn't running on both. IF not, remove the valve cover for that cylinder and see that push rods are OK, in position and working when flywheel is rotated. Let us know, lots of advice here, some good. (grin)
Walt Conner
