I have a Craftsman 917.272751 Briggs 18 OHV Intek Plus. I have it for 10 years with no problems. This year I got 2 weekend grass cuttings in until the third cutting I was 45 minutes into the 2 hour event when the tractor sputtered, ran, sputtered, ran, sputtered, like some one took the fuel line and pinched and released it. I parked it for a week. This weekend I started in the garage, didn't engage the blades and just st on it for 10 minutes while it ran, then after ten minutes the cycle of run/sputter/run started and it stopped. I replaced the spark plug, new gas, changed oil and filter a month ago.

Is there a check off list of items to start troubleshooting and eliminating parts?

You might check your gas cap and make sure it is venting.

The cap has an obstructed hole. Any other ideas?

Sounds thermal. Ignition system. Check for spark after it acts up. Do it before and after to see if there is a change.

Still sounds like cap when it messes up again pop the cap off and see if it runs.

Ceck gas filter

I drained the fuel tank, cleaned the tank and cap, replaced the fuel lines and filter. Runs like a champ.

Great;maybe you can help me.have craftsman 917.272751 my pastor was cutting grass.mower made noise then stopped.runs good.wont move.I can push it forward and backward.. gears seem to engage.went to back of tractor there is no release lever.I thought it had one.it seems to be in free wheel motion.please help.I've posted this 3 times no one has answered me.

I need clarity.

What kind of noise? From where? When it stopped was it because of the blades, the motor or the gears
? When you are pushing it is it in neutral or a gear?

I'm not sure about noise.when it stopped it just stopped.engine stillrunning.I can push it in or out of gear.

I don't believe you're supposed to be able to push it while its in gear. I'l look at some schematics and manuals and get back to you.

Check your pulley on top of the transmission sounds like it might have came loose or rounded off.

I will let u know Friday... thanks

It sounds to me that the drive belt may have come off the pulley. It goes from the engine to the transaxel

Check to see that the belt from the motor to transmission is still in place.