craftsman mowers

[fordboy]

Hi guys! It is that time of the year again to crank-up the mower and get to work. I have a little problem and would like some help.
When I first try to start my craftsman riding lawnmower, It will crank easily, but after it runs for about 30 seconds, it will stall out. It will start back easily, but I am just wondering what causes it to do this, and if anyone else has had this problem with their 2004 craftsman riding lawnmower, or any other brand.

 

[tuckman]

check your fuel filter. did you let the gas sit in it all winter? if so drain it all out and put fresh gas in and a new fuel filter. while you are at it look at the air filter for good measure

 

[Turk]

+1

First things first.

 

[JTK]

30sec after a cold start? It might be just a matter of it needs a bit more choke until it warms enough. The Kohler Command 20hp in my Cub is a fickle beast on a cold start. You often have to grab and flip the choke back up once or twice the fist minute or so of a cold start to keep it from stalling. Smooth as butta once warm.

Joel

 

[Bulli]

i always put some stabil in the gas tank of my mower

 

[RWEST]

Quote:
while you are at it look at the air filter for good measure
Make sure the critters didn't build a winter playhouse in there!!

 

[Nukeman7]

I would venture to guess that your Craftsman mower has a Tecumseh built engine. The carburetor on Tecumseh mower engines have a very small primary jet orifice that gets gummed up easily when gas sits for a couple of months. This situation is aggrevated with ethanol blended gas which goes bad quicker. Try this solution - unscrew and remove the large brass "bolt" from the bottom of the carburetor bowl. The center of this brass "bolt" is the jet that gets clogged. Spray some aerosol carb cleaner into the center of this jet and dissolve all of the gummy varnish - you should be able to blow air or see light thru the holes. If it is still clogged, use a sewing needle to gently ream out the center of the bolt/jet. You can also remove and clean the bowl if you really want to get it clean. Reinstall the bolt, fill with fresh gas and try starting it. Good luck and let us know if it works!

 

[sparkplug]

I always fill the tank with a tank of gas and a can of seafoam then run half a tank through and refill the gas tank. NEVER had a starting problem in the spring with my old Kohler K321.

 

[steve20]

Nukeman has your problem solved. Just be careful with the needle-the housing is aluminum and easily marred. When you remove the bowl on the carb I bet you will see what looks like gobs of 'clear' grape jelly.
About this time of the year neighbors/relatives start showing up with the same problem even though they were advised to drain the fuel before winter--This is a yearly ritual around here.
I throw in a hefty does of fuel injector cleaner in the first run with clean fresh fuel

Steve

 

[Jaymus]

Yep. If it's that engine. My 4 year old Craftsman 17.5hp has a Briggs.