Rough Engine on a John Deere LT150 Mower

[Sharpshooter7]

My LT150 started sounding a bit different a few days ago, it starts the usual way but it seems louder and doesn't smoothly roll into the ignition, it the ignition strokes are loud bangs and then it runs. The Kohler will run at full power and anything in between, but it just makes more noise and feels like there's a vibration that it hasn't had prior to the start of this. I've checked all th housings to make sure nothing has come loose and I didn't have a blade impact or anything. Oil level is clean and right at the mark. Any ideas? Thanks in advance for your expertise! JW

 

[tom3]

Is it down on power? Possible running on one cylinder? Maybe a blown exhaust gasket. Need to describe the noise better I suspect.