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Last weekend my Yardman Yardbug with the 9 horsepower Briggs engine started this little trick.. It works fine until the tank gets down to about 3/4 full, then it stalls. I am 90% sure its the fuel filter -- it appears mostly empty when it stalls. But I am having a hell of a time trying to remove the fuel lines. I've ordered a new fuel filter and will install it in a few days, but does anyone have a good suggestion on how to get the old one off without damaging the lines? I've removed the spring clips and pulled... but it doesn't want to come off! Is there some trick to this?

The briggs tool is basically a modified door trim tool, that you slip between the fitting and the fuel line and pry it straight off the fitting. From you problem, sounds like the fuel tank isn't venting. Could be a nonventing fuel cap, but you don't say what year your mower is. If after 2011 could have the charcoal canister that is suppose to vent, but if it has inhaled raw fuel will clog and not work again.

ILENGINE said:

The briggs tool is basically a modified door trim tool, that you slip between the fitting and the fuel line and pry it straight off the fitting. From you problem, sounds like the fuel tank isn't venting. Could be a nonventing fuel cap, but you don't say what year your mower is. If after 2011 could have the charcoal canister that is suppose to vent, but if it has inhaled raw fuel will clog and not work again.

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Thanks for the quick response. My Yardman is an 11 year old, hardly used year 2002 Yardbug that I bought used. Its a funny looking green and yellow thing with the engine enclosed behind and sort of under the seat. This is the first problem I've had. The lack of use means the filter may be 5+ years old. It looks like nothing I've seen in years. Briggs says that the filter that fits is completely new. It doesn't help that it is kind of hard to get to the fuel line and filter as it is located between the mower frame and engine. Added bonus, the exhaust is right next door. It looks like the fuel is gravity fed to the carb. I see no fuel pump. The bottom of the tank and the carb is at about the same level and the fuel line and filter sags about an inch below the bottom of both. It looks like any clog in the filter will result in fuel starvation.

What does this tool you mention look like? Would a small skinny screw driver work to separate the filter from the fuel hose?

The tool looks like a wide flat screwdriver with a u cut out of the center, so that is clips over the fuel nipple and then used to push the line off the nipple. Did you check to see if the fuel cap is venting. From your symptoms it could be a possibility.