Craftsman 13.5 Hp rider stops after 30 min

lsonetwogo · 06-01-2009, 07:38 PM

I have a two year old Sears 13.5 hp (20" deck) mower that has been a real champ until about a week ago. After changing the oil (10w30) the mower runs for about 30 min (or the furthest point from the garage) and stops like someone turned off the key. After about two minutes it will start but five minutes later it sputters then off she goes. Here is what I have done so far:

Cleaned the air filter
Changed the fuel filter
Cleaned the fuel line from the gas tank to the carb (there actually was a small piece of rubber caught in it and I thought that was the problem)
Cleaned the float assembly
Re routed all wiring around any hot component by the engine.
I am getting a spark (at least by the time I get the plug wire off and start it.

I noticed a sensor underneath the float had a two wire connnector but does nothing when removed either when the engine is or is not running?

Thanks,

**Basementgeek** · 06-02-2009, 06:28 PM

Hi and welcome to the forum

If you can, try loosening the gas cap some, be careful not loose it. If runs OK then, you have a plugged up vent hole on the cap.

BG

lsonetwogo · 06-02-2009, 07:05 PM

Great idea but I already tried this too but forgot to mention it. Tonight I visited my local Sears store and took the gas cap off of an identical mower and was surprised that the gas cap did not have what I thought was a missing rubber cone (what I found lodged in my gas line). So now it's a mystery as to where the rubber came from??? I guess it really dosen't matter because once it was removed it still stops running after it warms up (30 min).

Question: would running 10w30 Castrol have anything to do with why it acts like its over heating? Does anyone know of a sensor that could cause this?

Thanks

**Basementgeek** · 06-03-2009, 10:55 AM

OK- when it dies, does it crank at what sounds like normal speed, such as when the engine is cold?

I myself, stay away from 10w30 Oil unless you live in a cold climate. I always use a straight 30w.

BG

lsonetwogo · 06-03-2009, 04:31 PM

When it dies, it cranks over like regular speed.

**Basementgeek** · 06-04-2009, 05:47 AM

What color is the spark when it dies? It should be a strong blue-blue/white color.

Please give use the model number and serial number off the engine and the model number of the mower.

BG

lsonetwogo · 06-22-2009, 06:12 PM

Finally figured out the problem by disassembling the lower float section of the carborator, then spraying in some gumout. Reassembled it and it's been running great ever since.

Thanks to all that helped.

**Basementgeek** · 06-22-2009, 07:01 PM

Thanks for letting us known that you got it fixed.

BG

06-01-2009, 07:38 PM	#1 (permalink)
lsonetwogo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4 OS: winxp	Craftsman 13.5 Hp rider stops after 30 min I have a two year old Sears 13.5 hp (20" deck) mower that has been a real champ until about a week ago. After changing the oil (10w30) the mower runs for about 30 min (or the furthest point from the garage) and stops like someone turned off the key. After about two minutes it will start but five minutes later it sputters then off she goes. Here is what I have done so far: Cleaned the air filter Changed the fuel filter Cleaned the fuel line from the gas tank to the carb (there actually was a small piece of rubber caught in it and I thought that was the problem) Cleaned the float assembly Re routed all wiring around any hot component by the engine. I am getting a spark (at least by the time I get the plug wire off and start it. I noticed a sensor underneath the float had a two wire connnector but does nothing when removed either when the engine is or is not running? Thanks,

06-02-2009, 06:28 PM	#2 (permalink)
Basementgeek Moderator, Home Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 1,514 OS: XP Pro SP2/Vista Ultimate SP2 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Craftsman 13.5 Hp rider stops after 30 min Hi and welcome to the forum If you can, try loosening the gas cap some, be careful not loose it. If runs OK then, you have a plugged up vent hole on the cap. BG __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. Proud member of ASAP

06-02-2009, 07:05 PM	#3 (permalink)
lsonetwogo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4 OS: winxp	Re: Craftsman 13.5 Hp rider stops after 30 min Great idea but I already tried this too but forgot to mention it. Tonight I visited my local Sears store and took the gas cap off of an identical mower and was surprised that the gas cap did not have what I thought was a missing rubber cone (what I found lodged in my gas line). So now it's a mystery as to where the rubber came from??? I guess it really dosen't matter because once it was removed it still stops running after it warms up (30 min). Question: would running 10w30 Castrol have anything to do with why it acts like its over heating? Does anyone know of a sensor that could cause this? Thanks

06-03-2009, 10:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
Basementgeek Moderator, Home Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 1,514 OS: XP Pro SP2/Vista Ultimate SP2 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Craftsman 13.5 Hp rider stops after 30 min OK- when it dies, does it crank at what sounds like normal speed, such as when the engine is cold? I myself, stay away from 10w30 Oil unless you live in a cold climate. I always use a straight 30w. BG __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. Proud member of ASAP

06-03-2009, 04:31 PM	#5 (permalink)
lsonetwogo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4 OS: winxp	Re: Craftsman 13.5 Hp rider stops after 30 min When it dies, it cranks over like regular speed.

06-04-2009, 05:47 AM	#6 (permalink)
Basementgeek Moderator, Home Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 1,514 OS: XP Pro SP2/Vista Ultimate SP2 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Craftsman 13.5 Hp rider stops after 30 min What color is the spark when it dies? It should be a strong blue-blue/white color. Please give use the model number and serial number off the engine and the model number of the mower. BG __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. Proud member of ASAP

06-22-2009, 06:12 PM	#7 (permalink)
lsonetwogo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 4 OS: winxp	Re: Craftsman 13.5 Hp rider stops after 30 min Finally figured out the problem by disassembling the lower float section of the carborator, then spraying in some gumout. Reassembled it and it's been running great ever since. Thanks to all that helped.

06-22-2009, 07:01 PM	#8 (permalink)
Basementgeek Moderator, Home Support Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Central Ohio, USA Posts: 1,514 OS: XP Pro SP2/Vista Ultimate SP2 Blog Entries: 3	Re: Craftsman 13.5 Hp rider stops after 30 min Thanks for letting us known that you got it fixed. BG __________________ Donating to the forum keeps TSF free for all. Proud member of ASAP