Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): John Deere js63, adjustment screws, needle jet

Question
The mower starts on the first pull, runs good and gradually starts blowing dark smoke. Speed slows to a crawl until engine stops. Puchased used and apparently sat for a year before I got it. I installed a new plug and fresh fuel before starting.I cant see any carb adjustment screws.Any ideas?

Answer
Hi, it sounds like a fuel problem! Did you drain all the old fuel out of it before starting it? Dose it have a primer bulb? Check to see if there is a fuel filter in it!Most of the time dark smoke is better then white smoke! sometimes if you have a primer bulb or fuel line with a crack in it, it will act like that! If all of that looks ok then take the carb off and clean it with some carb cleaner & make sure that ther is no dirt blocking the needle jet hole in the carb! Also if you remove the muffler there is a little screen in it called a spark resistor! If it is clogged up it will act the same way! Just clean the screen & reinstall!
Let me knoe what happens & we will go from there!
Curt