[Grumpydaniel]

Having trouble with me 22 HP garden tractor with B&S twin engine. It was running kinda rough, changed plugs, filters, gas filter, oil, but still ideld rough and lost power while mowing. Added Seafoam, as recommended by a brother, and now it idles much better, but still gets rough under a load, such as engaging the mower deck -- sputters, poor power, jerks and misses. Occasionally backfires when shut off. Any ideas, guys?

 

[fixer]

sounds as if you may have a partialy sheered woodrif key on flywheel. would require removal of same to confirm.

 

[Tony from Arco Lawn]

I agree with fixer on the timing key. It is interesting that the seafoam helped however. If it was all timing it should have had no effect on it. Have you tried putting a carb repair kit in it? This may be another way to try but I would check the timing key first. It is located in a slot between the flywheel and the top crankshaft. You have to take off the top shroud and metal start shroud. you will see the flywheel then and you may have to at least take off the starter cup and flywheel nut. then you should be able to see if it is sheared. Let me know if you have any more questions I will try to help you through it.

 

[Grumpydaniel]

Thanks guys. I took off all the necessary stuff, but haven't removed the flywheel. (Been constantly assailed with other problems that bear priority -- otherwise known as "honey-dos"). However, I can see the key between the flywheel and the crankshaft and it appears OK. The magnet on the flywheel appeared to be very rusty, so I cleaned it off with a buffing block used for rust removal. Either of you know the required gap between the flywheel and the armatures? Maybe that's off a bit.

 

[Brad]

If you take a business card and put it between the flywheel and coil. That will get you right in the ballpark.

 

[Grumpydaniel]

Well, guys, I'm making no headway on this. My brother went to the B&S website and asked for help. The guy there suggested a carb rebuild, so I'll try that. Thanks for your help, though, and I'll keep you updated.