Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): tecumseh mower, neihbor, leakdown test

Question
hi,
i have a qeustion
i have a old sears self propellled tecumseh mower.
i got it from my neihbor and rebiult the carb and put a belt on.. it runs ok, but if i run it in high it will only runn for a minute or so and die what could it be???
and the rings are bad it smokes alot could that be it??

Answer
Richard
Yes if you have bad rings you are losing compression and there fore losing the power as the fuel is not keeping up with the demand of the engine, What you may need to do is a leakdown test on the heads and see if it is leaking from the intake valves.

Thanks