I have a 18 HP Briggs vanguard engine bought in 1997. It has been a good reliable engine for most of that time however since about five years ago it would not start after the engine got hot. I would have to let it cool down, then it would start. Now It won't start at all without starting fluid. The plugs are new and the carb was rebuilt. Even have a new coil and plugwire assembly. It constantly floods out, thus the starting fluid. What can I do?

Something's not right in the carb,sounds like there's a speck of debri keeping the float and needle valve open. This would allow gas to pass through,you might check your oil and see if it has gas in the oil,
Luck

Thank you, I will investigate!

Thank you, I will investigate!