Dan Cohen

Well I took your advise and replaced all the fuel line up to the fuel pump.  The fuel filter had only been used for an hour max so I didn't replace it.  I also made sure the fuel tank elbow was clear as I used a wire to go back and forth inside it and also blew 100 psi of air through it to clear any blockages.  There were none.  I already knew I had good flow from the lines as I used them to drain the fuel tank to allow the new ones to be installed.  So I just got done using the mower and it is still sucking the filter dry.  I am still leaning toward the vacuum issue being the problem.  I read that this particular engine has a positive crankcase ventilation system and am wondering if this could be the problem with the motor not giving enough vacuum to suck the fuel through the pump.  I cannot imagine that the motor is losing compression as it gets hot because it just runs so darn good otherwise.  If it had a continuous supply of fuel it would run forever.  Still considering using an electric fuel pump.  Could the motor actually cause the fuel pump to stop working due to a vapor lock of some sort?  I have enough fuel line to put new line from the pump to the carb, but I figured once the fuel reached the pump it wasn't going to be an issue especially now that the mower is still acting the same way.  Any other suggestions?