There is really no need for a filter here. The red disc filter at 125 micron is usable, but hardly worth it. There isn't enough head here to allow fuel to consistently flow through a small micron large bodied filter. Pull the tank and clean it and put clean fuel in. You can also have a fuel cap that vents poorly.

Thanks for the reply, I'll go back to running without the filter and see how it goes.

I have the same problem, but I can't determine how to remove the fuel tank to clean it. It appears that I need to remove the complete top cowling, but that would seem to require removal of the pull start flywheel cover and I can't figure out how to remove the nut holding that on (since the shaft on which the nut is screwed just rotates when I try to turn the nut).

Can anyone provide me with some insight as to how to remove the fuel tank on the 14SB?

The symtoms you describe very closely match what I have been experiencing with my 1994 14SB. I also had installed an inline filter after the internal one in the tank became plugged. The inline filter is not your problem since mine ran fine with it for 2 years. The fix for mine was the small brass jet located on top and directly in front of the low speed idle adjustment screw. This is a slotted screw with a hole in the center of the slot. Remove it and you will see 3 holes in the side of the shaft & 1 very small hole in the end of it. Make sure that there are no obstructions in any of these holes by running fine wire through them followed by carb cleaner and compressed air. The very small hole was cleaned by using wire from the braided shield in RG6 video cable. If you have not resolved your problem yet, I hope this helps.

Thanks for the reply. I never did get around to taking the tank off but did already pull the jet mentioned and cleaned it with wire and more carb cleaner without success. I just didn't want to put anymore time and money into it especially since it seemed the transmission might be starting to go. And I somehow got a sore ligament at my elbow that might be from my moving the mower around working on it (that still haven't healed now a few months later).

Honda had a one-year extended warranty offer at the time so I bought the $399 model at the local H D store. Glad I did, quieter, lighter and easier to maneuver than the John Deere. And it mulches better and doesn't accumulate clippings under the deck like the Deere does. With the Deere, I'd have to scrap under the deck with a putter knife after almost every mow, and that's when my grass is dry to the touch. Only thing with the Honda is I have to get used to the hand padels self-propel speed control. It's good for on the go speed adjustments, but the down side is it does take more effort to keep a constant speed, especially with my lumpy lawn often bumping my mower a little up and down. And I have to restart it every time I let go of the handle. But it's a lot cheaper than the Deere that cost me $700 back in 1995, will have to see how long it last. Overall I like the Honda better and will try to sell the Deere for parts.