well searching the web provided this response... The solenoid of which you speak basically blocks a circuit in the carb to lessen backfire/ emissions when shut off. If you feel a tic or hear a click when the the key is turned to run- it is working. You can remove it and watch it actuate too. It will not however prevent the condition you are having. You may have a touch of debris between the float valve and seat which is allowing the fuel through. If there is a worn "ring" pattern in the valve- replace it for sure or do it anyway. Clean the tank and bowl, flush the lines and thru the float valve w/ fresh fuel, replace the fuel filter, change the oil (plus oil filter if equipped). Hook the spark plug wire over the torx headed bolt and crank the engine to expel more of the fuel.Reinstall the spark plug and wire and expect more emissions for the first few minutes. remember that the muffler may have oil, fuel washed down inside of it and tho possibility of fire is slight, prepare for it none the less. The condition may still reoccur. An inline shut off valve kit is a great thing to install and use. That way, if a failure happen whilst it is sitting- the engine and muffler won't flood. I think I'll be checking the operation of this solenoid when I get home....

"I cannnot turn it over until it seem to want to cool down" TURN OVER means crank. Start means run- I'll assume you mean it won't RUN. There are 2 things that can cause this- Lack of spark to the spark plugs OR Lack of fuel. The fuel filter should be changed just for normal maintenance! IF it's too restricted (because that means it's working) there will be insufficient fuel flowing to the carburetor. The carb runs out of gas and the engine stalls. Wait for awhile, and the carb bowl SLOWLY fills back up and REPEAT. The other can be an ignition coil that's bad. Sometimes they get heat sensitive and quit working. Engine stalls, cools off, REPEAT. Check for spark IMMEDIATELY after the engine dies. You didn't say how long it runs before the problem occurs or how frequently it repeats??? Anyway, I'd change the fuel filter since it's OVERDUE!

Update: Good news...I think! Here's what's happened today: First, I checked the routing of the belt and verified that it was correct. Check. No blue marks on the belt. So I proceeded to take the deck off. Done. Started the mower...no smoking from the engine. Check. I then proceeded to put the deck back on. During this process it dawned on me that there was one thing that I had unnecessarily removed the first time that wasn't in the same spot as it appeared to be in the manual (the first time I removed the deck I pretty much removed every pin I found). I'm not sure what it is, but it was a rod (bent on each end) that was connected to the deck that seems to move (slide) a couple of parts on top of the deck. All I know is that when I looked at the mower assembly guide in the manual, it should have been connected from the deck to the back of the deck where another rod is also anchored (for the clutch?). Anyway, I put it on and reattached everything else. So I started the mower...everything ok so far. Let it warm up and bit and started to drive around. Ok. Then I engaged the mower. Seemed ok. So I started mowing the backyard. Other than running out of gas it was fine and I mowed the whole back yard! Well, I wish I could remember where I had connected that rod (by pin) the the first time so maybe it would make sense to you all what I had done wrong, but the main thing is I think I'm ok - for the moment! It started raining again so I'll have to finish the yard at another time. Thank you so much to you that offered advice. I was pretty much ready to give up before I posted this, and your input motivated me to keep trying. Jeremy

I only wanted you to take an objective look at your skill level and basic familiarity with mechanical things before you get into something way over your head. If you have managed to removed the shroud, clean the fins, and get the shroud back in place correctly.......we have a base to build on. You must understand that we know nothing about the skill level of a new member, except from what they tell us. Every now and then, someone joins up with the "idea" of DIY repairs to their tractor and it appears that the minimum knowledge, experience, and skills just aren't there. For these folks, it's best to make an attempt at "shocking" them to reality. Sometimes, "giving the benefit of a doubt" is exactly what IS NOT helpful to somebody looking for advice on how to maintain & repair machinery. Kinda like an experienced swimmer leading a non-swimmer into the deep water. Now that we have that behind us, let's cover some basics. Get a digital camera and take plenty of photos of your tractor from all angles, take close-ups, get behind the dash, under the seat, everywhere. These photos will be a life saver later when you need to know where/how something fits. Put these photos into your computer and keep them as long as you own this machine. Every time you do something new or different, take more pictures, make notes and sketches too. You have to build a data base to refer to. You can click the link below and find illustrations that cover your tractor and subsystems. Use the page number and the item # or part # to reference our attention to specific parts or components for the greatest accuracy of dialogue to the forum. In regard to the exhaust pipe "getting red hot". If the area where you are viewing this phenomenon is dimly lit, or if night has fallen, you may be observing a normal characteristic. Without knowing the conditions under which you are viewing, and without my being able to "see for myself" the intensity of the red heat, I can't say for sure if it is normal or not. If the red color is just a small red spot appearing in a bend or curve in the pipe as it comes from the cylinder head and routes to the muffler, you are probably seeing a normal condition. If the red color involves the entire pipe and carries into the muffler as well, you do have an abnormal condition and this must be diagnosed (along with the oil leak and the electrical short). So, if you want to get your feet wet, let's go! Just watch out for the deep waters. And you might have thought I was insulting you, but I just wanted to get your attention so you would be able to make an informed choice of which direction to take....DIY vs. Pro. Here is a link that might be useful: 917.275660 owners man