have a yardman 5.5 hp lawnmower idles up and down runs for about 5 minutes than stops have to give 2 or 3 primes before it will start runs the same up and down and then for approx 5 min.

what should i check
has fresh gas

the carb most likely is gummed up, you need to clean the carb
you should be able to get away with taking the nut off the bottom of the carb, and cleaning the holes out(assuming this is a briggs quantum being htat you said somehting about priming, and the ohnda engines on yardman mowers do not have primers)

not sure type of engine but model # 117-438D501

its a briggs and stratton motor

is this your first mower....or one you've had for a couple years maybe? you must use stabilizer if you are going to store it for any length of time, even one month you should use it. its cheap insurance if you don't already use any to use it. even running em dry leaves a little gas in it. and old gas gumms up. smells bad too. get some carb cleaner, take the little nozzle that comes with it, and spray up into every little hole after you pull the bowl off, that should do it.

where you said it stops after 5min could be a fuel delivery problem as well. just for giggles loosen up the gas cap and try it again. f-n-m :thumbsup: