If I place a "t" in the fuel line after the electric pump, what should I expect to see for pressure if I connect a gauge when it is running correctly vs. when it seems to be starving for fuel a couple of pounds if good??

Jonathan, you may be onto something. Whenn it was misbehaving last, I put my hand on the pump to feel if it was running, since I could not hear if it was running with the engine stumbling. The pump was very hot to the touch, almost enough to burn you. It was hotter than a cup of coffee.

The tank cap is brand new and was replaced right after I changed all the filters.

If that pusher pump is getting that hot, I'd say it's bad. They get warm, but not HOT. Most of those pumps make between 5-10 PSI.

You can get those little electric pusher pumps at O'Reilly's. There is one just for diesel fuel. Part number 12D, line code MRG.

How'd this turn out? Did you get it fixed? :bigthink:

Jonathan, I did not finish digging into this yet. This past weekend I was busy putting together all the painted parts the PO had for the 60" deck and mount for my new to me 1772. After I got it all together it was either get some seat time on the new 1772 and mow the lawn or trouble shoot the 1572. The 1772 won the coin toss. It had a little trouble getting the deck started the first time as I think everything was stiff.

I will get some pictures in another post of the 1772 re-united with the deck and get additional info in for the 1572. I did pick up some fuel line and a "T" to splice in with a gauge to see if the fuel pressure is dropping when it starts acting up.

I finally had a chance today to work on the 1572. I started my mowing with it until the engine started to die. I left it running without the deck engaged and went in the garage to get the parts I needed to put a "T" in the fuel line after the pump to get a gauge in it. I went back out to the 1572 with all my stuff, shut off the engine, and disconnected the fuel line after the electric fuel pump. The line was, for the most part, dry. So rather than put a gauge in with the "T" I just got an old coffee can, held it up to the pump output and turn the key on. There was no flow, only an occasional drip in the can. AHA! I thought to myself, a bad fuel pump. So I ran to my part stash and grabbed one I had and installed it. I turned the key back on and still nothing came out until I realized the pump wasn't primed, so I put mu finger lightly over the output so the air in the pump couldl be purged and viola, I had a stream of fuel coming out of the pump. I buttoned it all back together and prepared to do the other 1/2 of the mowing. I got about 1/2 way through the remainder, and it started surging again. I shut it down and pulled the hose off of the pump output. It was dry in the manner than no fuel dribbled out when I disconnected it. I got my coffee can out, turned the key on and nothing. I help my finger over the pump output slightly, then there was fuel. I put it back together and finished the lawn.

OK I am at a loss. I am pretty sure the problem is no fuel, BUT with the fuel pump, ALL filters, fuel lines and the fuel shut-off valve replaced ... what is left ? I need some ideas on what to try next. I cleaned the tank out with "Super Clean" when I replaced the fuel lines along with the fuel filters and replaced the fuel cap on the tank. I also loosened the cap to make sure there was no vacuum building up in the tank. There can't be much left.....

was the pump in your parts stash new

I had some brown hairy crap in the fuel tank of my 1512. Would run for some time and then die. If I let it set would start back up. I had to remove the gas tank and clean it completely out. I filtered the fuel as I removed it from the tank and was surprised how much junk was floating around.

That's what I want to know..... :bigthink:

When you test with used parts, you can't assume that they too are not the problem. But being that they are both doing the same thing...... that is interesting. Now you know it isn't getting fuel. Why not check to see if the pump is losing power? Maybe it's only getting 6V instead of 12....... :bigeyes:

The pump was a new pump and on the tank, this past spring I had drained the tank, pulled it, washed it out and put in a fresh tank of fuel.

Check the voltage running to the pump when it quits.

Also, you may try pulling the line feeding the pump and see if fuel comes out. Just to be sure..... It's a quick test, and you should only need to do it once.

Oh..... was the pump from CC? Or some kind of aftermarket? How old was it. Hadn't been on your shelf for years or something had it? They are just a rubber diaphragm pump. They can go bad sitting.