If your Craftsman lawn mower is leaking gas, start at the carburetor. The most common cause of a lawn mower gas leak or gas leaking from the bottom of the lawn mower is a dried out or missing carburetor bowl gasket on the bottom of the carburetor. Next, check the float needle, since a damaged needle can fail to shut off fuel and let the carburetor overflow. A worn or missing carburetor gasket is another likely reason for mower leaking fuel from the carburetor area. After that, inspect the primer bulb for cracks, then check the fuel shut-off solenoid and fuel lines for leaks or loose connections. If those parts look good, the carburetor float may be stuck open, which usually means the carburetor needs a thorough cleaning or possibly a rebuild or replacement. Whether you are dealing with a small seep or a steady carburetor leaking gas problem, entering your model number on RepairClinic.com is the fastest way to find the exact Craftsman carburetor bowl gasket, float needle, primer bulb, fuel shut-off solenoid, carburetor gasket, or other replacement part for your specific lawn mower.
01 - Craftsman Carburetor Bowl Gasket
If the lawn mower leaks gas the carburetor bowl gasket on the bottom of the carburetor might be dried out or missing. If the leak is coming from the bottom of the carburetor, try replacing the carburetor bowl gasket.
Enter model number to search for the required part specific to your product
The float needle might not be shutting off the fuel. The float needle opens and closes the float valve to allow fuel to enter the float bowl. If the float needle is damaged, the carburetor will continue to fill with fuel until it overflows. If the float needle is defective, replace it.
Check the fuel shut-off valve for leaks, and ensure that the fuel lines fit tightly on the valve. If the fuel shut-off solenoid is leaking, replace it. In addition, inspect the fuel shut off lines for cracks or tiny holes. If a fuel shut-off line is leaking, replace it.
The float might be stuck open. If the float is stuck open, remove the carburetor assembly from the engine and clean it thoroughly. If the cleaning the carburetor is not effective, either rebuild or replace the carburetor.