My Craftsman Mower Fires Up When I Push The Primer A Couple Of Times And Then Immediately Dies. What’s Wrong?
I have a Craftsman rotary push-type mower with a 4.5 HP Briggs & Stratton engine. I tried to start it today after about 6 months of disuse. I had left a little fuel in the tank over the winter. The engine fires up for a couple of seconds after I push the primer a few times and then immediately cuts off. I have replaced the fuel (though did not completely drain it). What could be the problem?
I had that EXACT same problem with my 4.5 HP Briggs & Stratton engine on my mower about 3 years ago! I could actually hold the primer in and it would run, but let go and it stalls within seconds. I tried everything, including Buzzwaltz suggestion. I took it into a small engine repair shop and they replaced the carburator (About $75) and that did the trick until next year and it did the same thing in the spring. I had even drained the fuel for the winter.
It was only 3 years old at the time.
Piece of crap, if you ask me.
I bought an old mower off of a friend of mine. (Like 15 years old.) Fires up on the second pull almost every time and I don’t even drain the fuel in the winter.
I guess they don’t make ’em like they used to.
my first guess would be the fuel filter, if not that and you have tried all the other simple things like the spark plug and fuel line you may need to have the carburetor rebuilt
Gas line may have a blockage. Check the choke, set on low speed and let her rip. If there is still a problem, check the plug to see if it is wet and dress the gap or replace it. You might try clearing the gas line by removing it but be carefull, don’t get any on you and stay well away from flames such as piolet lights, and no smoking!
If you prime it and it runs momentarily and stops the MAIN jet is plugged…Have to blow it out …Don’t know what carb you have..Some have a brass plug in/at the bottom of the fuel bowl. If it has a plug on the bottom center pull it out and blow compressed air into it …That should do it..Next year drain the tank and run the mower until it runs out of fuel.. Todays fuel is crap and when it sits a few months it gums up the carb jets and passageways..Run it dry in the fall…