Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): John Deer L118, lawnmower shop, john deer

Question
The mower is about 3 years old. The engine starts and runs OK for a while. Then it starts to "lope" and eventually dies in less than a minute. It is then hard to start. The engine turns over but will not keep running. After fiddling with the gas and choke levers, it finally started with both levers fully engaged, but ran only a few seconds after blades were engaged. This is the second time this has happened. I took it to a local lawnmower shop the first time and left it. He said that it started right up. He professed that he checked it out and could find no problem. I'm not a mechanic... not even a weekend one, but the action seemed like it was starving for fuel. I took the fuel line off past the pump and cranked the engine. Only a few drops of gas was coming through. Should the pressure from the pump be enough to make a stream of gas? Comments, advice appreciated.

Answer
There should be fuel coming out of the fuel pump while cranking the engine.  Make sure you remove the spark plugs when working on the engine for safety and so you do not drain the battery when cranking the enigne.

Here is a link on fuel pumps:

http://www.briggsandstratton.com/engines/support/frequently-asked-questions/Serv... pump

http://www.briggsandstratton.com/engines/support/frequently-asked-questions/Trou... pump

The lope sounds like the engine may be running out of fuel, like you believe.  Have you ever kept an engine running by priming it with fuel?

Let me know if the link(s) help.

Eric