I've just acquired a 2004 Craftsman DLT3000 lawn tractor with very low usage. It's been stored in a garage and I think that probably the carb is gunked up. I strongly suspect that the carb may need cleaning somehow, but I don't know the best way to tackle this - I'm no engine expert. Can it be flushed? Could do with some help if anyone can offer suggestions?

It starts fine with choke, and runs OK while warming up. Once you try to pull the throttle lever down to normal full throttle run position the engine runs for a short while but then starts to chug and dies (it even runs OK at low speed, though a little chuggish). I've tried adjusting the throttle cable to make sure that aligns properly, and tried the small adjustment screws but they don't seem to have much effect - at least, I can't seem to get a balance that works any better. You can see the linkage moving back and forward while chugging - is it trying to make the carb breathe or get more fuel?

The tractor runs OK on choke, and you can operate the mower blades without any problem but after awhile, when warm, you can hear the engine isn't running as smoothly as it would if put into normal run position.

Anyone have any experience or knowledge on what needs to be done?

Thanks!

No expert either, but I would ensure you have "fresh" gas. Remove and replace the plug, and be certain the air cleaner is clean, so it can get as much air as possible under load.

We have 10% ethanol gas here and it goes bad fast. If that tractor sat for a time with gas in the tank, there is nothing I know of that will rejuvenite the bad gas.

For whatever it was worth.

The "small adjustment screws" are mixture screws. One is used for low speed and the other for high speed. One should be larger than the other one. I'd suspect that one to be high speed.

The "linkage" that you see is the governor. It tries to regulate RPM by changing the amount of air. The flywheel is also a fan that puts pressure on a plate. The displacement is related to RPM.

With this information, try adjusting the carb again.

Carbs must be taken apart and cleaned. Rebuild kits are cheap <$15.

Use Stabil in snowblowers to prevent the breakdown of fuel. Don't use 87 octane.

Parts & Accessories | Shop & Find Lawn & Garden, Appliance Parts at Sears Parts Direct | SearsPartsDirect.com from Sears (http://www3.sears.com) may have a diagram for the carb and snowblower.

Are you sure you don't have some kind of restriction in the fuel line, dirty fuel filter or kinked line. As KISS pointed out most likely high speed mixture adjustment. No expert but on small engines if I question the mixture setting, I turn them all the way down to seat them then back them out 4 turns to begin adjusting.

I use 3 turns. To each his own.

Clean, clean, and clean again. Those carbs can be a headache.