Hi,

I have a ride on Snapper mower powered by a 14HP Briggs & Stratton engine.

Model 287707, Type 023501 Code 9601084A

I can start the engine with the choke engaged and it will run. But when I take it off choke the engine stalls. Do you have any idea what the possible causes could be.

Thanks,
Harry

Have you maybe just brought it out of winter storage or was just using it and out of the blue started doing this. When it only runs when choked, it sounds like a carb problem. I would take the carb off, tear it down some, and try and blow out any holes you see, if you have a air compressor that would help also, just be careful around the inlet needle seat with compressed air, might blow it out.

Yes, its just been brought out of storage. I took the carb off and gave it a good cleaning with carburetor cleaner and used the air compressor. I was able to get everything apart to clean separately except for the nozzle; but I did soak it with the cleaner for quite a while. Do you need a special tool to get that out?

There is a slight improvement, I can start it with the choke engaged and now when I take it off choke to fast idle it will speed up and run for 2 to 3 seconds before back firing through the carb and stalling. Before it would stall as soon as I took it off choke. Also I can run the mower around the yard at a pretty good speed (not as fast as before this problem) so long as I leave the trottle on choke.

Any suggestions on what to do from this point would be greatly appreciated. Could the fuel solenoid cause this type of problem?

Thanks,
Harry

So this has a fuel shutoff solenoid, usually you can hear a faint click when you turn the key, this either works or doesn't, when it doesn't you won't get fuel. Did you blow out the main jet real good? It may be a hassle, but sometimes it can take a couple times of soaking and blowing it out to get the carb back right.