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wright2e · Apr 17, 2010, 06:25 PM

Craftsman 5 HP Briggs and Stratton tiller front tine model 917298352

I bought it yesterday. It is approx 4 years old and was only used twice. I put some gas in it and it started quickly. Ran fine for about 30 minutes and then started revving up and down and then eventually died. I could choke it start it but then move back on the choke and it would eventually die. After a while it just completely died and will not start anymore. Any ideas? I'm thinking bad gas or clogged something.

KISS · Apr 17, 2010, 07:36 PM

At this point, I'm going with bad gas too. Like water in the gas.

I'd try some Seafoam carb cleaner in the gas. You can use spray carb cleaner as starting fluid. Into the spark plug hole or into the air cleaner.

I'd at least inspect the plug and filter and make sure the plug is firing.

Debris in the gas tank can cause flooding, but you should see that.

Gas left in the carb can create varnish deposits if fuel stabilizer wasn't used. This causes the fuel valve to stick.

If you spray a small amount of gas into the spark plug hole and it sputters at least once, then it's usually a fuel issue.

The diagram http://www.searspartsdirect.com/part...ken=partSearch

Just gave you some generic hints.

With little info on Sears website it may be older than 4 years.

Can you locate the model, type and code numbers which are usually stamped on the blower housing? They may be hard to see.

wright2e · Apr 18, 2010, 08:59 AM

Thanks for the info. I'll check around town and see who has the carb cleaner. The model is 917298352. I'll check on the other codes. This thing looks almost brand new but the lady I bought it from was in her 80's and her husband died a few years ago and it set in the garage. That was another reason I suspected old gas, but there really wasn't much in the tank.

KISS · Apr 18, 2010, 10:50 AM

Pep Boys carries Seafoam. I think you definitely have bad gas.

When fuel stays in an engine for more than 3 months it develops a varnish like compound which causes the fuel valve to stick. The solution is to always turn the gas cock off and let the engine run out of gas.

Drain the gas, if possible.

Near the end of a season, add a fuel stabilizer Sta-bil to fresh gas. I t will then keep over winter.

Can't tell if your engine has a diaphram or float type carb.

Descage · May 19, 2012, 10:07 PM

5 HP Brigson Straton on roto tiller.
Was doing the garden for about an hour and only had two short rows to do and engine just powered out.
Could restart it but it just had no power to till and it would stop.
Let machine cool down for an hour then tried it again. It started OK but would not work under a load and stalled.
Could governor gotten out of time or would valves be sticking?
Thanks in advance for your assistance.
[email protected]

KISS · May 20, 2012, 09:03 AM

1st order of business is the air cleaner.

Try starting without and see if it has the power. Don't run it without an air cleaner for long.

Descage · May 21, 2012, 12:28 PM

Yes that is something I tried. Still stalled.
Thanks for input.

walkerdad04 · Jun 12, 2012, 08:55 PM

I would check the vent tube

walkerdad04 · Jun 12, 2012, 08:57 PM

Originally Posted by wright2e

Craftsman 5 HP Briggs and Stratton tiller front tine model 917298352

I bought it yesterday. It is approx 4 years old and was only used twice. I put some gas in it and it started quickly. Ran fine for about 30 minutes and then started revving up and down and then eventualy died. I could choke it start it but then move back on the choke and it would eventually die. After a while it just completely died and will not start anymore. Any ideas? I'm thinking bad gas or clogged something.

Does it have a primer bulb? If so it might need to have a new 1 put in,it might have a crack in it and it is suck more air than gas,it worth a try