Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Sears Craftsman self propelled lawn mower, craftsman lawn mower, sears craftsman

Question
I have a Sears Craftsman lawn mower 917.379071.  It starts fine and runs at full throttle for about 5-7 minutes and stalls out.  It doesn't shift from full throttle either.  What's happening.

Answer
Hello Gerry:

Sorry for the Delay. This Question was Located in the Question Pool and I can Only Answer Questions from the Question Pool when I am Not Answering Questions here or at the Other Site I Answer Questions at. From your Description it Sounds like the carburetor Requires Soaking and Cleaning and Possibly the Governor May Require Setting Also. If the Carburetor Throttle Shaft is Stuck and Not Moving, this will Explain the Full Throttle Problem. If the Governor Arm has Slipped on the Governor Shaft; this would Also Explain the Full Throttle Problem. The Stalling After 5-7 Minutes can be the Carburetor or the Ign Coil. If the Carburetor and Governor are Good and the Engine Still Stalls After 5-7 Minutes, then Check the Spark Plug for Fire as Soon as the Engine Quits. The Following is an Instruction File I Made for Checking and Repairing this Problem. Run the Engine Until it Quits, then Remove the Spark Plug. Wrap a Wire Around the Threads and Attach the Other End of the Wire to the Engine Block Turn the Engine and See if the Plug Fires. If No, then Disconnect the Shut Off Wire  at the Control Bracket First, Check for Fire at the Plug. If Still No Fire at the Plug; Then Disconnect the Shut Off Wire at the Coil (usually requires removal of the blower housing) and Check for Fire at the Plug. If No Fire at the Plug , then the Coil/Ign Module is Bad. The Coil/Ign Module to Flywheel Gap is .020in. On Some Model JD Engines, there is a Igniter that Goes Bad and Not the Coil. The Igniter is the Same as an Ignition Module. If the Plug Fires at Anytime During these 2 Checks, then a Safety Switch or Wire May be the Problem. Yes the Engine will Turn Even with a Bad Safety Switch. The Blade Safety is Usually the Cause of this. The Starter Turns and The Engine Doesn't Fire is an Indication of a Bad Coil/Ign Module or a Faulty Blade Safety Switch. The Clutch Safety Prevents the Starter from Engaging so the Mower Does Not Move when the Starter Turns the Engine. The Seat Safety is Designed to Stop the Engine if the Blades are Engaged or the Clutch Safety is Not Engaged when you Leave the Seat. To View a Breakdown of this Unit Go to this Site Addy, http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/index.action and Enter the Model Numbers and Click Search. From this Page you can View Diagrams and Parts Lists for you Equipment Using the "View Sub Components" Section Near the Bottom Left. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem,  I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.

Good Luck

Respectfully

John

PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Comments and Ratings are Greatly Appreciated. Thanks.

Respectfully

John