SS16 losing power

Whenever i engage the deck i seem to lose a lot of power and eventually the tractor will die. I have replaced the plugs and put a new fuel filter on but i wonder if the carb may be dirty. I did run it completely out of fuel the other day and i wonder if some junk may have been sucked in the carb. Any thoughts?

/1/ how has it run in the past ? /2/ have you removed the deck and checked the bearings and if it turns free and easy by hand /3/ checked all idler pulleys /4/ wouldn't think dirt would be a problem unless the tank was dirty to begin with, may check carb linkage to make sure nothing is binding anywhere , the throttle plate is moving free , throttle cable hasn't slipped at the lock down point and has full travel, /5/ air filter clean ? just some things to check hope this helps / tim

Is it running out of gas, or is it a rich mixture situation? If the mixture is rich, it will put out black smoke before stopping. If it is lean, it may surge, or "gallop" before quitting.

Check the air filter if it's rich. I've had rodents take up residence in mine during the winter months.

If it's lean, I would check all the previously mentioned issues, plus two more off the top of my head: Fuel pump pressure and gas tank vent.

It is possible you sucked some junk in, but it sounds like you're running a fuel filter already.

When did the problem start? When you ran out of gas?

It might be time to take the carb off for a cleaning. Don't forget the intake gaskets, but that probably wouldn't be a problem that would occur suddenly.

TKW wrote:/1/ how has it run in the past ? /2/ have you removed the deck and checked the bearings and if it turns free and easy by hand /3/ checked all idler pulleys /4/ wouldn't think dirt would be a problem unless the tank was dirty to begin with, may check carb linkage to make sure nothing is binding anywhere , the throttle plate is moving free , throttle cable hasn't slipped at the lock down point and has full travel, /5/ air filter clean ? just some things to check hope this helps / tim

Yes, i just had the deck off and sharpened the blades and everything was moving freely. The tank is very dirty and ive tried cleaning it multiple times but I cant seem to get it all out. I think i may get some sealer for the tank and run hotter spark plugs

not familiar with your model tractor is the tank under the seat or under the hood ? have you taken it off to be able to clean it ? seafoam works good as a fuel system cleaner takes a little time though. if you can take the tanks off the old trick is to put a hand full of clean gravel in them and shake shake shake (there is a song there somewhere ha) then wash it out real good. then pull the carb and a can or two of carb cleaner ,give it a good cleaning also. good time to check to be sure both screws are tight holding the throttle plate in place.

TKW wrote:not familiar with your model tractor is the tank under the seat or under the hood ? have you taken it off to be able to clean it ? seafoam works good as a fuel system cleaner takes a little time though. if you can take the tanks off the old trick is to put a hand full of clean gravel in them and shake shake shake (there is a song there somewhere ha) then wash it out real good. then pull the carb and a can or two of carb cleaner ,give it a good cleaning also. good time to check to be sure both screws are tight holding the throttle plate in place.

It is under the seat and a real beast to get off without spilling fuel every where. I tried the rock method and wouldnt ya know a small chip of the rock had broke off the fit just perfect to block the flow of fuel. I have heard that seafoam works good. I have not checked the throttle plate.

what type of carb does it have on it ? does it have a main / high speed adjustment screw on the bottom of the bowl , an idle adjustment on the side and on the same side an idle speed adjustment at the throttle plate stop ?  start with both high and idle screws at 1 turn out from lightly seated , with engine running and warm  start with the throttle open to run position turn high speed in or out until running smoothly , then with throttle at idle speed do the same with the idle screw in or out until running smoothly , set the idle speed by turning in or out the screw on top of carb at the throttle plate stop , may have to readjust idle screw again if idle speed is changed.  make small adustments  maybe 1/8 turn at a time.  hope this helps / tim