Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Starving for gas, sears craftsman lawn mower, craftsman lawn mower

Question
I have a 2004 Sears Craftsman lawn mower that will stop running like it is starved for gas. Sometimes I can go ten minutes or twenty minutes when this happens. It is a model 917.273180 with a Kohler 17.5 engine.  Engine model CV490S.  I have replaced the fuel filter and air filter.  It looks like the fuel filter is empty of gas when this happens.  I also replaced the fuel line.  I took off the solenoid and carb bowl and they looked clear.  Any help would be appreciated.   Dave

Answer
Ok, sounds like your losing your fuel supply if the filter is empty when this is happening. Two most common causes,      1. Fuel system is not vented causing a fuel lock. Remove the fuel cap and try starting again, does the filter fill now? Some times the tiny vent hole in the cap will become clogged causing a lock, even though it has a fuel pump it still needs to be vented or it will become a vacuum. Also, sometimes the tube that supply's the fuel from the tank can become obstructed. I had one that drove me crazy, in the tank was a tiny leave, it would find its way to the end of the fuel tube and get sucked right to it and cause a vacuum. Once it is sucked against the tube it would never start unless you took the fuel line off just before the filter and blow air back into the tank to dislodge it. Then the filter would fill again and be fine till it found it's way there again, finally I saw the leave and removed it, never a problem again. Maybe try blowing some air back into the tank by way of the  line.       2. Fuel pump. Remove the line to the pump and make sure it has a good flow from the tank if it does reconnect the line and remove the line on the other side of the fuel pump and crank it over does it deliver a good supply of fuel?.....Let me know if this helps...Tom