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I have an older 2cyl 16hp Briggs and Stratton engine on my old garden tractor. I inherited it with my property purchase, so I have no idea how it's been maintained.

I put new gas in and changed the oil this spring and started working with it. It runs reasonably well but it was surging quite a bit, especially when it got warm. Also, it wouldn't idle down properly.

On the last refueling I dumped some Sea-Foam into the gas tank before filling up. Now, however, it seems that the RPMs are low when at full throttle and the tractor will stall out when I put it into gear. The tractor has a belt-drive transmission.

I'm thinking of starting with cleaning or replacing the spark plugs and possibly replacing the fuel filter.

Any thoughts/suggestions on what I should do?

Brian
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I think your plan to clean/replace the spark plugs and replace the fuel filter it a good idea. I also suggest inspecting and cleaning the carburetor since sitting for even a few weeks with Ethanol-laced gasoline in it can cause corrosion and/or deposit build up that will cause exactly the symptoms you describe.

I have seen Sea-Foam and similar products partially liquify some of that goop so that it clogs the passages in the carb even more.

jwh20
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