IF the engine is reving up then dies down then reving up then dieing down it is called surging
Search lawnmower surging on You Tube and check if that is what your engine is doing
If the you tube video then tells you it is because the fuel supply is insufficient to maintain consistant revs and you need to clean your carb and check for manifold leaks , then stay there and watch what they do .
Otherwise go to outdoorpowerinfo.com. find your carburettor and follow the cleaning instructions ( pictorial )
Take lots of photos even mark the linkages if you have to so that you can put it back the same way .
99.99999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999 % of surging on a goverened engine is due to insufficinet fuel supply either because of a carb problem ( around 85% ) or manifold leak (14% ) or head gasket leak ( 1% )
#5
Scrubcadet10
sounds like the engine has a long surge to it.
do what bert described above.