Hard starting B&S 12 hp

[gjh 0]

Hello: Haven't been around for a while as my Hometlite T12 has been running so well all winter, not that it got that much use. Anyway here goes. Was blowing snow last week for 1-2 hrs with no events. I did run out of fuel & when I re-filled the tank I couldn't get it started. I thought maybe some sludge or something in the tank. Anyhow pushed it into the garage & let it sit for a week or so. Tried it & it started up & ran it for 2-3 minutes. Fast forward another week & I go to move it out & can't get it started. A spray of starting fluid & it fires right up & shuts down. So I pull the Flo Jet carb off to look for a prob. I have had this carb apart so many times I can do it in my sleep. Surely I find a little sludge in the bowl, so I strip the carb & clean it all up/ Back on the tractor & a shot of fluid & it starts & runs fine. I warm it up & make the carb adjustments. Shut it off & it re-starts. Sits for 2 hrs & now I can't get it started again.. Help. p.s this machine always seems to need a little choke, even to re-start after it's been running, but not this bad.

[RayS 80]

Check the screen in the tank. I normally brake the screen off and put a in line gas filter on. I have had to do this on several tractors. may not be your problem but i would take a look at it.

[UCD 14]

Check for bad carb intake gaskets and air leak around a worn throttle shaft. Also clean and gap points.

[gjh 0]

Will do both, I have an in-line filter, new in the fall & I get plenty of gas-gravity feed when I take the fuel line off the carb. I did notice a decent spark at the plug, but when I pulled off the cover to the points, I sometimes noticed the arc at the points seemed to jump offthe side od the point block to the bracket. This didn't seem right, but then why does it start with fluid & continue to run ok? Bad condensor? Both pts & cond new last year with maybe 20 hrs on them. OEM Briggs parts??

[Morris 0]

What kind of fuel filter are you running? I've heard of (and seen) a number of people putting the automotive-type plastic filters (often found on old VW's) on lawn and garden tractor engines, but I have read a post or two here somewhere that doing that can restrict fuel flow, depending on engine.

[UCD 14]

An air leak at a bad gasket or worn throttle shaft will cause it by useing the choke you are restricting the air flow further and it will suck in the fuel better.