I have a riding mower with a Briggs & Stratton 12.5 hp (model 289707) engine that's approximately 10 years old. In the last year, the engine has begun to stall out every time it gets hot (usually within 10 to 15 minutes of use). It also tends to stall as I head uphill or put some strain on it. Is there a thermostat on this engine? I have put in a new spark plug, cleaned the air filters and checked the gaoline for water, et. any suggestions?

John Staples, June 2004

My did the same thing drove me crazy. Found that the four bolts that held the engine to the frame were loose. So it was loosing ground. So it would always start right up. The next year it would run until it got hot. Found the needle valve was sticking replaced it things were good.

Randy, May 2008

My riding mower will start fine, but when I put it into gear it stalls. Does any one know how to fix this problem

William, April 2008

Check to make sure the gas cap vent is working properly. If a vacume developes in the tank it will cause the engine to run lean and hot eventually stall, untill vacume has been removed.

Chris Rogue, August 2005

the problem is the diafram is going bad, if you smell gas in the oil that the problem if its just stalling its the coil getting hot remove it and use a business card between it and fly wheel when putting it back on

martin, November 2004

I also have a Briggs and Stratton model 289707 that stalls after 10 to 15 minutes of use. It's been doing that for about two years. The flywheel froze/stuck. Freed it up and it started right up. After 10 minutes the engine made a terrible sound. Thought I ran over something. After a closer look I found that the engine had blown a hole right through the side. My suggestion....take it in and have someone look at it. It will be cheaper then buying a new rider.

Val, July 2004

I have been had the same problem. Today I heard a crack and my engine stalled. I t is frozen and will not start. i believe it is the rod failing. prior to this I had the same symptons for about a year. Then I had gas in the oil. Iwas told to pinch off the gas line and drain the oil. Then start the engine with the pinched line until it stalled. Then release the line and start. I did this and it ran fine, then ruff, then it stalled.

disctran@earthlink.net, June 2004