I was Having problem with the fuel shut off solenoid. It was activating but not working. I changed it and that solved the problem. With the solenoid not stopping the gas at the carb, the gas kept flowing through the bowl and carb and filled up my oil reservoir with gas. I was getting a hydro lock and the motor would barely turn over until I dumped the oil/gaqs mix and refill the oil. After replacing the oil reservoir 4 or 5 times. I put a shut off valve, in line, on the gas line and that worked but, I could not remember to shut off the valve when I shut off the mower and oil reservoir filled up with gas. So I went ahead and replaced the solenoid. This solved my problem with the gas filling up the oil reservoir. The solenoid was only ~ $18 through ebay. At John Deer it was between $70 to $130 depending on the model of the mower and the serial number of the carb. Pull the carb and check the operation off of the mower with the gas line connected and the carb grounded to the motor. With the key in the off position there should not be any gas flowing out of the carb. with the key turned to the run position there should be gas running out of the carb. Then the solenoid if working properly. In my case my solenoid actuated when checked with 12V added to it (off of the carb) but was not stopping the gas flow to the carb. I put a new one on the carb and everything worked properly. GOOD LUCK !!!