Joe: mine is like yours after 7 gallons and getting it tuned it does not die like it did before.I think this is a rich low end that is doing it, mine would stumble and could catch it with a quick blip of throttle. I don't think it is a reed problem as you would have if flight problems. mine has been to DA twice for rod bearing and crank and bearings, and they have not said any thing and it ran the same both times after repair until I tuned it. good luck. Rick