Jt asked ... Where to buy mt270x petrol cap?    |    Jo asked ... How to engage clutch on old sewing machine to engage needle?    |    Jacky asked ... Miele Vacuum cleaner?    |    Ben asked ... Toyota Yaris French or Japanese?    |    Andy asked ... How can I mend my MacAlistair 450w hedge trimmer?    |    Click here to ask your question

20 hp intek vtwin 4 cin, Scotts riding lawnmower will not start (Year 2001}?

I have 2 questions
1. Lawnmower would run then surge. I would take off gas cap and mower would run again. What causes that?
2. Scotts riding lawnmower. Was running fine. Engine backfired and now it will not start. Engine gets fire but drags and does not start. Could it be valves out of adjustment? How do you adjust them? Or could it be a float sticking?
Bill Portt, Stafford Va email santabill@verizon.net, November 2007
1. Blocked vent hole in gas cap.

2. Sounds like fuel starvation. Pump diaphragm?

Phil Saunders, November 2007