Craftsman 917.388220 Resurection

[Astro_Guy]

I took a look at this old Craftsman 22" push mower today. I am guessing that it hasn't run in ten years. It appears to have a Tecumseh 4.5 HP flathead.

I hit it with a shot of starting fluid, gave the rope a tug and it started. Encouraged by this I added fresh 90 Octane E0 to the bone dry tank and tried again. Unfortunately it would only run for a second until the starting fluid was consumed. The primer bulb didn't appear to be giving any resistance so I inspected the fuel lines and moved them around a bit. After a little while it started expelling all thue fuel via the red line shown in the image below. Are there any suggestions other than just replacing the carburetor? I neither need nor want this machine and it's not clear if I should invest any further time or money to get it running. Maybe someone would pay $20 for it as is.

 

[wavinwayne]

Just me, but if I didn't need or want it, it's not worth my time trying to make $20 selling it. I would set it by the road and forget it. YMMV

 

[Lubener]

I would pull the bowl off the carb and see that the float is free. I have found especially on inactive engines the pin that serves as the hinge for the float corrodes. That causes the float to bind. If it binds, I would remove the pin , needle and float. A little emory cloth on the pin will remove the corrosion. The float is plastic and you can also make sure it floats in water.

 

[SC Maintenance]

I agree with @Lubener the float is likely stuck.

If you can now walk away without it running your a bigger man than I. For me the fight would be on - need it or not.

 

[Brian123]

I took a look at this old Craftsman 22" push mower today. I am guessing that it hasn't run in ten years. It appears to have a Tecumseh 4.5 HP flathead.

View attachment 300878

I hit it with a shot of starting fluid, gave the rope a tug and it started. Encouraged by this I added fresh 90 Octane E0 to the bone dry tank and tried again. Unfortunately it would only run for a second until the starting fluid was consumed. The primer bulb didn't appear to be giving any resistance so I inspected the fuel lines and moved them around a bit. After a little while it started expelling all thue fuel via the red line shown in the image below. Are there any suggestions other than just replacing the carburetor? I neither need nor want this machine and it's not clear if I should invest any further time or money to get it running. Maybe someone would pay $20 for it as is.

View attachment 300880

I will get some flak for this, get a 1-quart bottle of MMO and take the carburetor off. Get a container and submerge the carburetor in MMO for 12 or 24 hours. Take the fuel bowl off 1st before doing the MMO thing.

The other thing you can do, and yes it works, there is a product called Mechanic in a Bottle, just follow the Instructions.

 

[Gyro Gearloose]

Oooooorrrrr, since fixing it is a compulsion not a need, get a $20 Tecumseh carb from amazon and declare victory.

 

[Astro_Guy]

If you can now walk away without it running your a bigger man than I. For me the fight would be on - need it or not.

Unfortunately I believe that we are cut from the same cloth; I need to fix it and see that it gets a good home.

 

[mk378]

Those Tecumseh have a rubber seat on the float needle that gives a lot of problems. Either clogged up or somtimes overflowing.

 

[cptbarkey]

I donate those small push mowers to my neighbor, he focuses on mowers only. I prefer the thrown away 6.5 Briggs or above that people leave at the end of the driveway. Plenty of power and more appeal.