I have an '01 Craftsman LT1000 42" rider ( model# 917.271634 ) with a Briggs & Stratton 16.5 hp engine ( model# 310707 ) I bought recently. I have to turn the key repeatedly because the starter just "clunks", like a bad starter does in a car. Eventually it's like the starter catches & then starts. Most of the time it takes 15 or more times for it to catch. I work with the previous owner & He put a brand new starter in it for me when I bought it because He said it did the same thing with the old starter. Were at a loss. Defective starter or what?:madhell:

I have a JD LA105 riding mower with a 19 HP engine (Briggs and Stratton? I think). I completed a full maintenance routine at the beginning of the season including oil and filter change, air cleaner change, fuel filter change, spark plug change, lube and belts, the works. It's been running fine. Yesterday, I add some fuel (recently purchased and burns in my other push mower just fine so I don't think it's stale) and get to mowing. It ran fine for about three minutes, then the governor started to idle down and back up and down again. When it ran slow, smoke came out the exhaust. I pulled the throttle with a finger and the engine revs up to full speed and sounds great again. When I let go, it cycled up and down in speed. I drove it to the garage, shut the engine off and now it doesn't start at all. It's still getting fuel to the carb, spark on the plug and seems to be getting air, but not starting. Do I need to pull and clean the carb or is there something else?