An engine that runs briefly, then stalls repeatedly may have what issue?

An engine that runs briefly and then stalls repeatedly often indicates a problem with fuel delivery. When the fuel tank vent is plugged, the engine cannot draw in a sufficient amount of fuel due to a vacuum being created in the tank. This vacuum prevents fuel from flowing to the engine, causing it to run for a short period until the fuel supply is exhausted, ultimately leading to stalling.

While other issues could potentially cause similar symptoms, such as a clogged air filter or a faulty spark plug, they would typically result in different running conditions before stalling. A clogged air filter may cause the engine to struggle by limiting airflow, but it does not create a vacuum effect like a plugged fuel tank vent does. Similarly, a faulty spark plug may cause poor combustion but would not specifically lead to repeated stalling in the pattern described. An empty fuel tank is also a straightforward cause but is easily identifiable and wouldn't result in the engine running briefly initially. Thus, the plugged fuel tank vent stands out as the most appropriate explanation for these symptoms.