craftsmen lawnmower only runs for a few seconds and then dies

I have a craftsmen 5.5 horse power lawnmower.

It starts up only when I spray starter fluid into the carb from the air fil ter side and then dies in a few seconds.

I removed the carburetor and cleaned the bottom portion which had a lot of yellow gunk build up. I cleaned the little holes in the bottom screw and re moved the gunk. I am not sure how to break apart the carburetor so I just p ut it back after rinsing it in fuel.

I also replaced the air filter.

it starts when I spray starter fluid and then dies.

I thought it was a fuel delivery problem, but when I removed the carburetor I noticed fuel coming out from the carb as I had not disconnected the fuel line, so I am not sure if that is the cause.

Any ideas ?

Reply to
vallamsetty
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Main jet passage is plugged between the bowl and the throat.

Reply to
gfretwell

Carb cleaner from an auto repair parts store.

Reply to
hrhofmann

Did it have a diaphragm? Replace it, if so.

Reply to
Meanie

I say it is time to buy a rebuild kit and spend an hour rebuilding the carburetor. You could also check and see what a replacement carb would cost, but the rebuild kit will probably be under $10.

Then, watch a couple of carb rebuild videos on YouTube and you will be all set to tackle it.

Reply to
Stormin' Norman

Your best bet is to just go buy a new lawnmower. You have already washed away all lubricants on the cylinder walls, valves, and so on, using that "starter fluid". If you use it a few more times, you will blow that engine into the next county, and will not only have to buy a new mower, but you will have to clean up the pieces of your current mower.

Starting fluid is made for very occasional (ONE TIME) use on large engines, such as a car, truck, or tractor. It's NOT made for small engines.

If you do want to fix that engine and have not already ruined it, take a pump oiler can, fill it with gasoline, and shoot a few squirts of gas into the carb rather than using that dangerous and destructive "starting fluid".

Since you have already removed all the lube from that engine cylinder, I'd suggest mixing a teaspoon of motor oil into that pump oiler can, with the gas. This will allow you to operate the engine for a few seconds each time you spray that into the throat of the carb.

You probably have a stuck float in that carb. So, gas is not getting into the bowl on the bottom of it. With the carb off the engine, remove the bowl on the bottom of it. Make sure the float and float valve move easily. Spray with carb cleaner, wipe out the bowl, and try it again. If you ruin the gasket on the bowl, you will need to buy a carb kit and replace all the gaskets (rebuild the carb). If you dont think you can do it, (it's not all that hard). Look on ebay for a NEW carb. Sometimes a new carb is cheaper than a kit.

I have an old Stihl chainsaw, the carb was not working. The kit cost $18, plus $5 for a can of carb cleaner, and an hour of my time. I bought a new carb for that saw on ebay for $14 (shipping included). All I had to do was mount it on the engine, tweak the mixture and idle screws, and I had a working engine.

Reply to
Paintedcow

When my Deere did that, I discovered that the air bleed hole in the gas cap was plugged. A little spray cleaner and a couple of compressed air blasts fixed it.

-dan z-

Reply to
slate_leeper

Are you suggesting that fuel tank vacuum is the problem that is described above ? Really ? John T.

Reply to
hubops

On my Deere it was a bad ignition module., but there was no starter fluid involved.

Reply to
clare

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