OK...I know this is not a general forum on mechanics, but with all of the intelligence on here...there might be at least one of you that has the experience to advise me on something.

I have 2 mowers...one riding and one self-propelled push mower.
The riding mower showed these systems 1st, 2 years ago...so I parked it. I did change the spark plug...afterwords, same issue.

I'll get to the issue in a moment.

Now, after using the push mower (this afternoon) it has the same issue as the other one...(what are the chances on that, wow) anyway, I have just changed the spark plug in it as well...and, you guessed it...still same issue.

Now the systems/issue (for both):

1...Both will crank...but not with as much "spunk" as before.

2...Both seem to want to and does "bog down" when I attempt to cut any amount of grass.

3...Both, while idling, appears to be rough running, no smoothness to either one.

Now, am I going to have to go buy another mower...or is there a simple solution to either of these with the same symptom?

My experience is in computers, not mechanics or small-engines ... other than changing out a plug...or minor stuff.

Check air filters.. and oil/ oil filters .. possibly tune carberator/adjust idle... if this isnt something you can do there should be plany of shadetree small enginerepair guys... much cheaper than replacing whole mower .. if you have to take it to a shop they may try and upsell you new equipment or overcharge.. i find the BEST and cheapest guys are found word of mouth .. i used to use the shop i bought all my trailers and equipment from.. untill i got a old guy through word of mouth that does it out of an old barn in his backyard... they cant beat his prices service or skill levels..

on a side note accidentaly putting 2/cycle mixed gas into your equipment can cause similar symptoms.. and can only be fixed by new seals in motor aka rebuild.. worth it for me on my $5000 dollar or god forbid my 10000 dollar mower but maybe not for your average consumer grade equipment

Thanks for your advise...I will take note to your suggestion.

Something else you might check also. Do you by chance buy your gas at the same station as you did when you started having problems with the first mower? I have a gas station here in my town that I got bad gas from....water, sediment etc...in the gas. Needless to say I don't buy gas there at all anymore. Changed gas stations...problem went away. Lawn mower's engines are much more intolerant to bad gas that say cars and trucks are.

Don't remember about where I got the gas from 2 years ago for the riding mower. It is a major brand...I use both Chevron, and Texaco only (for vehicle and mower) not off brand.

But your idea could be a possibility...I think it would be a long shot, but possible!

Nothing is impossible, maybe improbable...but not impossible.

Thanks.

Also...is this the first time you have used it this season? Did it sit with that gas in it all winter? Won't gas go bad sitting that long? I know my daddy always said to put Stabil(?) in engines that will sit without use to keep the gas from gunking up?

Yes I do both, either use stabil or run the gas tanks dry in the fall before storaging mowers for the winter then buy FRESH gas in the beginning of the new season.

My daddy would be so proud! I actually listened to something he said AND remembered it!

Nah...I've used it a couple of times so far this summer...

Ah...well ok. I'll just go back to sitting and looking pretty then!

Well...thanks for the input, and you do that very well (sitting and looking pretty)!

Now if I just knew a lady that lived close, was sitting and looking pretty, with an operational lawnmower too boot...I'd be in landscape heaven!

Why thanks.... I try!

I've got a nice Craftsman (mower)...lol. Boy...wish I had a nice "craftsman"! *giggle*

If you are not strangling the engine with a clogged air or fuel filter then I hate to say this but you may have burned up your piston rings! This can happen if you run your engine too lean (not enough fuel) or too rich (too much fuel). Both cause your engine to over heat. When your lawnmower is running do both of them smoke especially black and thick? If so check the carburetor for over fueling and then if that isn't the problem do a compression test on the engine. If you have bad compression then you need to have the engine serviced. Note! Older mowers and Rider mowers need to have their engines retrofit to run unleaded gasoline and if not you need to use a lead substitute! I would assume these machines are not classics?

My money is on bad piston rings because what you describe sounds like it in every way. Still a clogged air filter can manifest the same issue!

Fortunately it isn't expensive to have the engine of a lawnmower serviced, the riding mower is a little more price intensive because they have to pull the engine out to service it.

Hmmmm! Just how dependable is the mower on the highway or long tips?

Does it have a map holder or a CD player?

I understand that "Craftsman" are one of the top of the lines.

Thanks...I haven't been given that suggestion yet. Something to think about...I appreciate your input.

I am a mechanic...

I have done my share of small displacement engines...

Now I dance!

You can do a simple air filter test by removing the air filter and noticing if the RPM's go higher.If the filter is clogged it will be restricting air and bogging the mower down.Many of the problems of rough running are due to a clogged fuel filter.You can find the fuel filter by following the black hose from the fuel tank to the the fuel filter.It will be a small plasic or metal barrel shapped device having one line in and one line out.A new filter is cheap and you should be able to replace it.

As far as power I would turn the idle screw way up.A idle screw basically keeps your motor running faster or slower with no throttle.It is a small screw next to the throttle cable next to the motor.It should be the only screw with a spring surrounding it.Turning it one way will speed up the motor.The other way will slow it down.A bad oil/fuel ratio will create many problems if you are running a lawnmower that needs a oil/fuel mix.Bad or low spark going to the spark plug is another common problem.Checking the spark can be done several ways but a cheap easy way is to buy a spark tester at the auto parts store.It is a small T shaped device and when held next to a wire a small light should light on and off.

The internet is a great place to solve mechanical problems.Try these keywords....

Common lawn mower problems.
(your model)FAQ's.
Lawnmower maintenance how to
Lawn mower repair/problems(you tube)
Lawn mower user reviews(your model)

Its old gas...
gas is only prime for about 6 mos.
Always empty your cans and go buy fresh gas at the beginning of the season

Oddly running bad gas too long can also burn out your piston rings too.

What happens is the octane rating usually approaches 0 gradually and it becomes more akin to paint thinner or turpentine. It will burn in an engine but not that well. Instead of overheating the engine it gums it up increasing friction.

you can use fuel stabilizer to buy you a couple of months but you can only go so far with it.

Good morning everyone.

Thanks for the additional info and suggestions.

You have, what sounds like good ideas.

I appreciate each and everyone of you.