Could use a little assistance troubleshooting a lawnmower that won't start.
It's a Craftsman 6hp rear bagger, model# 917.388731. Picked it up several months ago from a used merchandise store, and they told me it came from an estate sale; it does not look like it had been used recently, and the gas tank was bone dry.
Here's what I've tried:
*When pulling the start cord the engine is not starting/running at all, not even chug-chug-die.
*Removed the carburetor and cleaned it out, including the bowl bolt with the main jet (thoroughly cleaned both the horiz & vert aspects of the jet) which was gummed up solid. Reassembled with existing gaskets.
*Replaced the rubber fuel line, which was severely cracked on the outside surface.
*Verified the handle control bar is working properly. When the bar is pressed down, the engine brake and grounding are relieved and when released, they are properly engaged.
*Replaced the spark plug (gapped new one at .030). With the plug uninstalled (grounded on the engine) and pulling the start cord it displayed a strong, consistent spark.
*Removed and vacuumed out the air filter. Filter is uninstalled for most of the testing described here.
*Used a compression test gauge and recorded 72psi after a few pulls on the start cord.
*Visually inspected the intake pipe (carb-to-engine). No visible cracks or breaks, and appears to be solidly connected.
*Having removed the carb bowl now a couple times after testing, I had to drain a little fuel out of the bowl each time, so it looks like there's no obstruction between the gas tank and carb.
*Am using fresh fuel for testing.
*When pressing the primer bulb I'm not seeing any fuel propelled into the carb throat.
*Spritzed a little starter fluid into the carb then pulled the start cord; the engine runs momentarily until that fuel is burned off.
Am considering installing a carb rebuild kit for the new gaskets, but wanted to see if anyone had any other advice first. Thanks for your input.
It's a Craftsman 6hp rear bagger, model# 917.388731. Picked it up several months ago from a used merchandise store, and they told me it came from an estate sale; it does not look like it had been used recently, and the gas tank was bone dry.
Here's what I've tried:
*When pulling the start cord the engine is not starting/running at all, not even chug-chug-die.
*Removed the carburetor and cleaned it out, including the bowl bolt with the main jet (thoroughly cleaned both the horiz & vert aspects of the jet) which was gummed up solid. Reassembled with existing gaskets.
*Replaced the rubber fuel line, which was severely cracked on the outside surface.
*Verified the handle control bar is working properly. When the bar is pressed down, the engine brake and grounding are relieved and when released, they are properly engaged.
*Replaced the spark plug (gapped new one at .030). With the plug uninstalled (grounded on the engine) and pulling the start cord it displayed a strong, consistent spark.
*Removed and vacuumed out the air filter. Filter is uninstalled for most of the testing described here.
*Used a compression test gauge and recorded 72psi after a few pulls on the start cord.
*Visually inspected the intake pipe (carb-to-engine). No visible cracks or breaks, and appears to be solidly connected.
*Having removed the carb bowl now a couple times after testing, I had to drain a little fuel out of the bowl each time, so it looks like there's no obstruction between the gas tank and carb.
*Am using fresh fuel for testing.
*When pressing the primer bulb I'm not seeing any fuel propelled into the carb throat.
*Spritzed a little starter fluid into the carb then pulled the start cord; the engine runs momentarily until that fuel is burned off.
Am considering installing a carb rebuild kit for the new gaskets, but wanted to see if anyone had any other advice first. Thanks for your input.
