[JMT_roxb]

Unseasonably cold (rain and below zero temperatures) for this time of year so I will have to put this on the back burner until Thursday or so but I am however taking in all information please and thank so much for your time

 

[chandler48]

While you have it down, ensure this part is free from rust. Use emery cloth to clean it if there is rust on either part.

 

[JMT_roxb]

While you have it down, ensure this part is free from rust. Use emery cloth to clean it if there is rust on either part.

View attachment 811265

Will do. What is this part called or what does it do?
Thanks

 

[Dave Sal]

I have an old Craftsman lawnmower and about 7 years ago it just died one day as I was mowing the yard. I have a spark plug tester and when I used it, found that there was no spark. I ended up replacing the ignition coil (about $30 on Amazon at the time) and that fixed the problem. It usually is hard to start though, and I end up yanking on the cord about 10-15 times before it'll start. What I do now is remove the air filter and spray starter fluid in the carb. It fires right up on the first or second pull.

 

[JMT_roxb]

I have an old Craftsman lawnmower and about 7 years ago it just died one day as I was mowing the yard. I have a spark plug tester and when I used it, found that there was no spark. I ended up replacing the ignition coil (about $30 on Amazon at the time) and that fixed the problem. It usually is hard to start though, and I end up yanking on the cord about 10-15 times before it'll start. What I do now is remove the air filter and spray starter fluid in the carb. It fires right up on the first or second pull.

My Dad said it's been hard to start it up these last few years, it too needed 10-15 pulls before it started and although I tried a lot more often it still didn't but I will definitely try spraying starter fluid in the carb. Thanks!

 

[JMT_roxb]

Here's an update! I put carburator cleaner into the carburator and it would start up and die every time I tried. I'm now in the process of dismantling the lawn mower to get to the carburetor and clean it a second time hoping it will work. I will also check the fuel line as the old gas was yellow! I'll probably have to finish this job tomorrow ... I'm a very busy Dad .
Here's a picture of the old gas. Although I changed the gas the lawn mower still didn't want to start. So I'm thinking some gunky residue might be blocking in the carb or gas line. I hope!

 

[lenaitch]

Good morning! I don't know if there' a choke(zero knowledge in mechanics). There was something that I may have not bolted back into it's exact position but I don't know what it is, here's the picture
View attachment 811262

As you see in the wider shot in your Post #20, that is the anchor point for the governor spring. The arm at the other end of the spring is attached to a mechanical governor inside the engine. A linkage goes back to the carburetor. The whole assembly is designed to keep the engine running a roughly a constant speed when the load (i.e. heavy grass) changes.

You say you cleaned the carburetor. You might have cleaned the outside but it sure looks like it wasn't removed.

Will do. What is this part called or what does it do?
Thanks

That's the magneto. A spinning magnet passing a fixed magnet induces a current to the spark plug.

Here's an update! I put carburator cleaner into the carburator and it would start up and die every time I tried. I'm now in the process of dismantling the lawn mower to get to the carburetor and clean it a second time hoping it will work. I will also check the fuel line as the old gas was yellow! I'll probably have to finish this job tomorrow ... I'm a very busy Dad .
Here's a picture of the old gas. Although I changed the gas the lawn mower still didn't want to start. So I'm thinking some gunky residue might be blocking in the carb or gas line. I hope!

View attachment 811829

The gas looks old. Fresh straight gas should have a slight greenish or blue-greenish tint to it.

Fresh on the right, old on the left.

 

[JMT_roxb]

UPDATE : definitely the carburetor

 

[CaptTom]

What you describe is very typical. Engine sat unused with old gas and gummed up the carb. You're on the right track.

Keep squirting in the carb cleaner and you might just get it to run (on fresh gas) long enough to start cleaning things out. Probably not, but it's worth a shot. If you can get it to stay running, you can put carb cleaner or (better yet) SeaFoam in the fuel and possibly - no guarantee - not have to take anything apart. At least until you have more time.

I see you have the engine model #, so ordering a new carb on line would be the easiest and most reliable fix.

Other possibilities include gummed up filter in the fuel tank or fuel line. To check, you can just pull off the hose and see if gas flows freely.