On Wed, 29 Oct 2008 01:51:21 -0500, Matt
wrote:

Running lean, of course.

Check for air leaks: air filter not seated properly, missing carb gasket
on some models.

Plugged carb jet. If it is only partly plugged, carb cleaner in the gas
tank should clear it up.

Maybe you could cover part of the air cleaner with plastic temporarily
to get a choke effect.

That's a darn good idea, about the plastic. I don't know why they
don't put chokes on lawnmowers anymore. Or throttles either on many.

Then people wouldn't have to listen to the loud engine when the lawn
is short or sparse.

The choke idea should help some other time even if it doesn't work
this time.