Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): 14hp koehler craftsman mower, search ebay, mower deck

Question
Hello,  

(14hp koehler craftsman mower)
The mower will operate perfectly fine for the first 30 min or so and then it will suddenly start backfiring and poping and finally stall, sometimes if I disengage the mower deck immediately it will stay running at an idle and I can then continue mowing for maybe another 10 minutes then it will happen again. When it does stall I cannot restart it. The engine will just crank  without even a hint of wanting to start.  15 minutes later the engine will start like nothing was wrong.  Any suggestions are greatly appreciated!  

Also,  the mower is an older model, I bought it from a friend 5 years ago who rarely used it and it is in very good condition. It is probably over 10 years old.

Thank you,
Mike

Answer
Hi Mike-
Sounds like you have a problem with
1- Fuel pump (if it is a carburator type diaphram pump)
or
2- Ignition coil (if it has a coil)

Easy thing to do is remove the plugs right after it quits and check the spark, if you have a spark- get a new diaphram for the fuel pump.  If you have no spark- search EBAY for a replacment coil.
Lemme know !