Fixing A Craftsman Mower That Won't Start 

Just replaced the carb on my trash-picked craftsman w/ the flathead briggs... couldn't justify the price of a rebuild kit plus the time to rebuild it. $25 vs $12. Great video. Love to see these old flatheads still mowing after years of neglect!

funny, this is the exact same repairs i just did on 2 toro walk behinds I was recently given. one was a 2002 model, one was a 2016 model. both in excellent condition bit were not running. the 2002 model had alot of crystallized build up along the valve, the other had a small crack in the needle seat that was flooding the engine. CHEERS.

I dig the cleaning bub. You make them look great. Reminds me of my dad.

That’s a super clean machine for the age. Thanks as always for the upload.

I use synthetic 5W30 on all my Briggs stuff and check it before each use. The positive difference in fuel efficiency with synthetic over conventional SAE30 is noticeable in my experience. I also like the flexibility to use the equipment in any outside temp condition as compared to conventional SAE30. That really helps living in the northeast.

Great video…I agree with your percentages of successfully rebuilding the carbs for the Craftsman push mowers. It works out just to replace the carb versus doing a rebuild job.

When I am working on my mowers I vacuum them first then wash...never power wash....good video mate...Cheers from Gulag Australia.

Have to say this is the best channel out there.

I bought a used Craftsman (grey with red motor cowling) with the MRS 6.75 engine. Thing ran for 6 years without any maintenance, started on the first pull every time, and I sold it for what I bought it for. Very underrated mowers.

I check my oil in all my lawn equipment every time before I cut my lawn. Having the proper amount of oil and having clean oil and air filter is very important. I check all I mentioned before I even start my mower or lawn tractor

Honestly, I may check the oil in my mowers may be 4 times a season and they’re never low. Always change the oil at the beginning of the season. You bring up a good point in the regards to chances of success, and that’s the prices of certain parts is something to keep in mind. I repaired my Stihl FS 110 a number of years ago. I thought I’d just get the necessary carb rebuild kit, but after some investigation, a new carb (a Stihl one mind you) was cheaper than the carb rebuild kit. The longer I’ve been into fixing my own, and sometimes other’s small engines and equipment, is the the sum of the parts, when purchasing individually, is substantially more than the whole piece of equipment.

I got a 7 ft lbs Briggs mower (Platinum line?) which is in OK shape, only issue is the blade adaptor, and blade and missing and the bolt is broken off in the crank. I'm a mechanic, and i could bring it to work, but man. Hard spending 50 or so dollars and idk an hour or so trying to get a bolt out for a free mower lol. Love the easy fixes. I got a good few free mowers and 80% of them i dropped the bowl, wiped it out, fresh gas in the tank and shes good.

I get these mowers a lot myself , they are good mowers . Usually only have to check the oil level one or twice a season , depending on hours of use .

Hey mate, Great vid. Yeah oil check is very important. Level check before use if any signs of leaking. And oil quality once a month or routine check. cheers

DUDEZILLA!!! Just want to say THANKS for this! I pulled out a REALLY NASTY Craftsman lawnmower out of a widow's shed and I think it has carb issues like yours did! It runs on starter fluid but gas is a NO GO!!!! Thanks to your video, I will have it up and running in no time!!!

I check my oil everytime I use my mower it’s just a habit. Great information 👍🙏👍🙏

I just found a mower in the trash I was just gonna change the filter and spark plug. But damn. You gave me so many ideas. I mean even if I don't get it running (which I'm pretty sure I will) it's still fun for me. And not very expensive. And I learned

I check my oil every time I start it. Just Habit. But if I'm watching this....its probably cuz I love mowers

This may sound odd, but I ALWAYS check the oil before starting the mower. This is especially important since over time it likely will burn a little....and a little more...until it gets to the point of becoming dangerous like in the video. Not only that but most user manuals tell you to do so probably for this reason.

Hello Home garage how you doing I check my oil every time I use my mower

I check the oil on my craftsman eager 1 before each use

I usually check the oil every time a mower runs until I see how they're going to act as far as using it. Delo stays with the old and new because it's thicker I suppose but I still check the engines regularly. With a new to me rig I usually pull the blower housing off to see about rats nests and damage and rust on the mag and flywheel. Briggs says that rust doesn't hurt anything but if that's the case, why don't they ship their engines pre-rusted! Next is usually the carb and fuel system. I already checked the compression by pulling the rope and seeing how much oil is in it. And ether (starting fluid) makes a fine degreaser. Thanks and BLESSINGS!

I like the brush idea.

I cleaned my mower with left over car wash in a pump sprayer that adds a protective water repellent to the surface and the difference was night and day

Excellent video!

Great video, I always check the oil in my mowers before each use, nice work!

awesome ....amazing how your time is valuable ....we love to see 13 to 15 min videos to the point but there is so much more when it comes to pertinent or non pertinent and angles and cleaning and waiting for parts ..... is there a recommended rpm for engines and how do you find it without some form of tach....how would you use a tack on a mower

You can use Dura lube to your honda harmony for the knock sound to not be that loud

There loss your gain 👍 Nice quick fix !

I usually change the oil every season check it throughout the mowing season to make sure its still at the correct level and mostly clean if it looks to dirty it gets changed if it gets to low look for damage or leaks which hasn't happened but I've had a crap mower that burnt oil because of blow by it was rebuilt after it wouldn't start and had piston cylinder wall damage had a replacement piston and rings and sanded cylinder walls to fix most of the damage but still had minimal pitting or roughness like scratches that allowed a little oil by as it ran so it smoked alot and used a little oil due it it getting burned

Been servicing for a number of years . First thing i do is remove the fuel , 90% success rate on starting , people don't get it. Easy money

I’d go a little bit higher on the rpms, it should be around 3000 for a 22inch self propelled they need the extra oomph to get thru tall thick conditions. You don’t have to use a meter go by ear, you’ll know if it’s running too fast it should be a happy medium around 3000. I have a video of mine that I posted after I adjusted it and that is the correct RPM speed these Briggs quantum’s should run at incase your not sure how it should sound by ear. I had this same mower! Loved it.

Let me ask you what motor oil are you using? I'm still buying the little bottles that are sold at most places that have a parts section for lawn equipment. I have seen online that some people say you can buy car oil I don't remember the weight off the top of my head. I want it to get your opinion on that. Also I know you get some of your things from Amazon and eBay where do you order from when you cannot find what you're looking for from Amazon or eBay. And as always I enjoyed your video and gave you the thumbs up. Look forward to the next one.

I check mine once a week. I use synthetic 10w-30.

Good video very informative.

Great diagnosis and repair. Looks like you got a good looking and running mower now. Great job. Thanks for the videos.

Hey bro what's up? I've noticed that most of the newer mowers if not all have a wash port on them. My question to you is what is the wash port on these mowers for? Style apparently since no one seems to use them at all

Like u said it's a chance to replace the needle and seat sometimes on the original carb I have done it and almost the same issue . As for the oil I check it before I use my lawn equipment I have just in case

Why am I enjoying this I'm 17

Which carb would you use one from Amazon or one from a reputable lawn mower shop for an earthquake mini cultivator mc43

Yes worth just replacing whole carburettor as you say the kit is half the price, makes more sense just to buy the whole thing saves time and carburettor cleaner too.

Wash ports are awesome if you use it correctly

Great videos. Very informative.

I've got one with this same style engine. It will putt for a second after pushing the primer bulb a few times, then dies. I had cleaned the carb and got the throttle plate moving again. The jet is clear, and I can see the fuel bubbling up when pushing the primer. This carb does not have a choke plate. I have another mower that I have to repair so wanted to get this one going in the meantime. Your video helps a lot. I think I may just have to get a new carb (cost effective, as you say), and it will be good to go. Still wondering about the lack of a choke.

Thank you 🙏🏻

Thanks for the great video!

As the owner's manual says, I check before each use.😄

I have replaced the seat with no problems but carburetors are so cheap now it's easier to just replace them . This style mower is my favorite of all time. Have you been approached by Hipa like all the other guys? They seem to make good stuff.

I WANT THE MANAGER!!

I got a question I have a Echo trim and it dose not like to start easy when it dose run you have to give it 2 to 5 mins before up can go to full power or it just try to die and if you turn it off and gone for 5 mins you have to restart it like it is cold I try putting little more oil in the gas to help but not sure what to do

great vid. good explanation

I could use some help, I have changed the oil, spark plug, and the air filter. This was a donated mower, which likely not been used in 3-5 years. I sprayed starter fluid, and got it going for 3-5 seconds. So I cleaned everything, remvoed the bowl to ensure there were no issues, cleaned completly. I then pulled the carburator, to clean it completly, but after putting it back there was a lever that would seem to maybe have a spring attached, that it may have popped off. I cannot find anything as I had some plywood platform to work on it. After looking at the video again, I ssee that there is a spring missing. Can you tell me what it is so I can get another, and where it attaches to?

Bought a Craftsman 675 Series Keystart from my stepfather a bit ago and he said "all it needed was a new battery“, but I legit can't find this battery ANYWHERE. It's sealed and has that connector. Do you know where to find them?

I check my oil every other cutting. i learned that when the oil is run low like that the engine heats up and shuts down the coil . I am sure you heard before that it runs a while and shuts off but starts a few minutes later

If anyone can tell me where to find or what the part number is for the air filter assembly...you'll be my new best friend. I need the rear and front cover. Mine doesn't have a priming bulb either, like this one.

Well for me every few months and when it's time for a change i get it done by using a oil extraction kit which makes little to no mess from my view etc.

I have one of these craftsman’s that was pretty beat up when I got it. I’m trying to get it running, but it also has a wonky front wheel that o took off and retightened but it’s still wobbly. Any idea what I can do to get that corrected?

I'll admit it i don't check it as much as I should but I don't use my mower only every 2-3 weeks my grass doesn't grow fast

thanks for sharing 👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

Great video

I’m shocked at how low cost carbs are. Replaced on for a mower I bought and reconditioned for my son. The seals were almost as much as a factory new carb. Problem solved. He’s loving the new mower for 1/3 $ of a new one.

Nice mower

On an mc43 earthquake mini cultivator which carb would you buy one from Amazon or one from a dealer

My lawnmower wouldn't start so I washed it and tried again and it started right up!

Was hoping for a needle seat replacement as my personal pressure washer with same carb needs one. Ebay has seats 20 for $7 shipped.

I check my oil every time I use the mower. I run a lawn care business so I need to make sure my equipment is in good running order.

I tried starting my craftsman mower today and it won’t start. The mower is only 2 years old garage kept. I flushed out the old fuel and put new fuel, checked the spark plugs and the oil level. But it simply won’t star. What could be the issue?

Morning

I replaced a carb on a craftsman push mower and it's still not getting fuel into the bowl. If I disconnect the fuel line from the carb the fuel flows out of the line like it should. I've manually filled the bowl twice which meant I had to remove the carb and the mower runs fine until it drains the bowl. What could be the problem with the fuel flow?

I like the way you cleaned the mower. However, is there any area we should not pour water on to avoid the engine not start?

It is better to have some type of oil instead on none even if that means using old motor oil but only for a short period

Probably should change oil each year, right?

I have a Craftsman lawnmower that won't start. I pulled the carb, cleaned the main jet and sprayed every nook and cranny inside the carb. I also replaced the inline fuel filter, added fresh gas and checked the spark plug and that looks fine. Went to go start it, and nothing. I sprayed the carb with a little cleaner and she fires right up then dies. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Check oil every cut. Change it every Spring.

I have a question which I think I know the answer but I would like to be sure. Does the 2 cycle oil in gas ever get diluted by the gas to the point you are just giving you 2 cycle engines straight gas?

I check oil before every use.Always have.

My craftman mower i bought in 2008 with the Honda engine still runs and i never cleaned the carb. They don't make them like they used to.

Hey HG, just found you and appreciate the content! I'm trying to repair a very similar machine and have a question that needs to include a photo. Is there any way to DM you or otherwise get in touch with you?

I have a nearly identical mower that is giving me fits. I used it last summer, before prepping and storing it in my shop for the winter. When I brought it out this spring, it had no spark. I eventually found that it had spark if I disconnected the kill wire. The kill cable was bound up, so I assumed that was the issue and replaced it. It did not fix the problem, so I made a new kill wire and replaced the old one. It still didn't fix it. I cleaned the kill switch itself, but didn't replace it since it doesn't have any obvious issue, but I still have no spark with the kill wire connected. Is it possible for the switch to fail without having any obvious damage?

For faded Red or Black plastics use 50/50 mix of Boiled linseed oil and paint thinner...just a thin wipe on sun faded plastics goes a long way..just wipe it on and leave it dry..

When you get a piece of equipment chec oil often enough to see if it consumes it

Can you share the link to the carburetor you bought? Thanks

I use compressed air to do a quick clean, it’s not as good as your cleaning but only takes about a minute

Question cleaned carburetor and still didn't start. Maybe bad ignition coil?

I check the oil in my machine at least three times a season.

I have a mini bike and i need some tips on how to make it last long.

Every time I go use my mower. I check the oil about 5 times.

Those red fuel tank caps tend to have isuues with the vents getting clogged.

I can't believe he recorded washing the mower. I am in a hurry!!!

I have this exact mower, I've accidentally ran it through mud and it still runs perfectly...

I check mine everyday

Someone recommend me a lawnmower to mow lawn with I am 13

Why would you clean that mower before you know if it’s worth repairing ?

I got me a push mower and cutt grass At my house

Serial # 031313 on Friday the 13th.

Same horrible deck design as the Husky I replied on earlier.

craftsman just is garbage

Check oil each time I use it