Hard to Start Craftsman Lawn Mower
#1
09-09-10, 05:22 PM
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: USA
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Hard to Start Craftsman Lawn Mower
Hi Forum,
I was given a 2 year old Craftsman Push Lawn Mower, 22 inch self propelled, model 917.376221, Briggs and Stratton 650 series engine and find its a bit hard to start. I can usually start it in 2 or 3 pulls, never more than 4 or 5; the real problem is that my wife can't start it at all when its cold (she was able to start our old mower without any problems). It starts just fine once its warmed up from running for a while. The gas is new, oil level is OK, and I pulled the air filter and it looks somewhat clean to me, just a little dirt and grass in a few of the folds.
Thanks for any and all advice and regards,
Andy
I was given a 2 year old Craftsman Push Lawn Mower, 22 inch self propelled, model 917.376221, Briggs and Stratton 650 series engine and find its a bit hard to start. I can usually start it in 2 or 3 pulls, never more than 4 or 5; the real problem is that my wife can't start it at all when its cold (she was able to start our old mower without any problems). It starts just fine once its warmed up from running for a while. The gas is new, oil level is OK, and I pulled the air filter and it looks somewhat clean to me, just a little dirt and grass in a few of the folds.
Thanks for any and all advice and regards,
Andy
#2
09-09-10, 07:33 PM
Member
On the Sears Parts Direct web site I noticed that there is a primer bulb pictured on the engine. Are you using it when the engine is cold? Is your wife?
I think it unlikely that the primer bulb would fail on a two year old mower but you never know. Any checking should begin there.
Steve
I think it unlikely that the primer bulb would fail on a two year old mower but you never know. Any checking should begin there.
Steve
#3
09-10-10, 04:31 AM
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Hi Steve and Forum,
Great idea, but yes we are using the primer bulb/button when starting the engine cold. I will check to see if she is fully pressing it or just pushing a little bit; but I doubt this is our problem.
Any other ideas?
Thanks,
Andy
Great idea, but yes we are using the primer bulb/button when starting the engine cold. I will check to see if she is fully pressing it or just pushing a little bit; but I doubt this is our problem.
Any other ideas?
Thanks,
Andy
#4
09-10-10, 05:31 PM
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Hi again Steve and Forum,
Problem solved. So it turns out my wife who is 5' 0" is a little short for this mower. A smart neighbor suggested she was pulling the rope more sideways then upward and this caused it to be pulled too slow. When my wife tried moving the mower to the street and standing on the curb (so she is a little higher up) she was able to get it to start with no problem. Turns out the handle of the old mower was angled so that it was lower and I guess she got a better pull. Regardless I still think the old mower started easer, but like I mentioned, problem solved!
Thanks for the assistance,
Andy
Problem solved. So it turns out my wife who is 5' 0" is a little short for this mower. A smart neighbor suggested she was pulling the rope more sideways then upward and this caused it to be pulled too slow. When my wife tried moving the mower to the street and standing on the curb (so she is a little higher up) she was able to get it to start with no problem. Turns out the handle of the old mower was angled so that it was lower and I guess she got a better pull. Regardless I still think the old mower started easer, but like I mentioned, problem solved!
Thanks for the assistance,
Andy
#5
09-10-10, 07:46 PM
If your wife is mowing the lawn, take her to the best lawn mower dealer in your town and tell her to pick out what ever she likes, it's cheaper than jewelry and a whole lot more productive. Have a good one. Geo
