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HomeRepair HelpCraftsman Mower RepairCraftsman Lawn mower is hard to start Repair
Craftsman Lawn mower is hard to start
If your Craftsman lawn mower is hard to start, the problem is usually in the fuel system first, not the engine itself. The most common cause is a clogged carburetor from old fuel that has turned sticky and restricted fuel flow, which can make a lawn mower difficult to start or cause a lawn mower to take many pulls to start. Start by checking the carburetor and cleaning it with carburetor cleaner. If that does not help, a carburetor repair kit or a full carburetor replacement may be the better fix. Next, inspect the primer bulb, since a cracked bulb can let air into the fuel system and lead to mower hard starting. Old or bad gasoline sitting in the carburetor float bowl can cause the same trouble, so draining stale fuel is often worth doing. If the fuel system checks out, inspect the spark plug for wear, carbon buildup, or a cracked insulator, and use a spark plug tester to confirm strong spark. On some models, a weak fuel pump can also make a small engine hard to start. Enter your Craftsman model number on RepairClinic.com to find the exact replacement parts that fit your mower.
01 - Craftsman Lawn Mower Carburetor
The carburetor might be clogged. A clogged carburetor is most commonly caused by leaving fuel in the hedge trimmer for a long period of time. Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and make the engine hard to start. If the carburetor is clogged, try cleaning it with carburetor cleaner. If cleaning the carburetor isn’t effective, rebuild or replace the entire carburetor.
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02 - Craftsman Lawn Mower Primer Bulb
Over time, the rubber of the primer bulb can become brittle and cracked. If the primer bulb is cracked, air will get into the fuel system and cause the engine not to run properly. If the primer bulb is cracked, replace it.
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03 - Craftsman Lawn Mower Carburetor Repair Kit
The carburetor might be clogged. A clogged carburetor is most commonly caused by leaving fuel in the hedge trimmer for a long period of time. Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and make the engine hard to start. If the carburetor is clogged, try cleaning it with carburetor cleaner. If cleaning the carburetor isn’t effective, rebuild or replace the entire carburetor.
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04 - Old or Bad Gasoline
There may be old or bad fuel in the carburetor float bowl. Over time, some of the ingredients in the fuel may evaporate, leaving behind a thicker, stickier substance. This sticky fuel can clog up the carburetor and make the engine hard to start. If the carburetor is clogged, try cleaning it with carburetor cleaner. If cleaning the carburetor isn’t effective, rebuild or replace the entire carburetor.
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05 - Craftsman Lawn Mower Spark Plug
Inspect the spark plug for signs of wear or damage. If the porcelain insulator is cracked, an electrode is burned away or damaged, or there is heavy carbon buildup at the electrode, replace the spark plug. To determine if the spark plug is defective, use a spark plug tester. You should see a strong spark between the tester’s terminals when the engine is cranking. If there is no spark, this indicates that the spark plug is defective and should be replaced.
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06 - Craftsman Lawn Mower Fuel Pump
The fuel pump has three ports: the gas in port, the gas out port, and the pulse port. The pulse port is connected to the engine crankcase by a small rubber tube. As the engine runs, air inside the crankcase alternately pressurizes and depressurizes the air in the tube. This pressurized air moves a diaphragm inside the pump and pumps the gas. If the engine oil is overfilled, oil can enter the pulse port line, preventing it from working properly. The fuel pump also has two small check valves on the input and output ports. The check valves prevent fuel from reentering the gas tank. These check valves can fail. To determine if...
Highly Likely
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Craftsman lawn mower hard to start?
What should I check first if my Craftsman mower takes many pulls to start?
My Craftsman lawn mower has spark but is still hard to start. Could it still be the carburetor?
Can a bad fuel pump make a Craftsman lawn mower difficult to start?
How do I find the right carburetor, primer bulb, fuel pump, or spark plug for my Craftsman mower?
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