Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Hard starting/ Wont start lawnmower, craftsman eager 1, sears craftsman

Question
Hi,

I have a Sears Craftsman Eager 1 6.75hp Lawnmower with a tecumesh engine #143.006700.

I have been reading your site to see if I can figure out how to fix my problem with no luck to date.

I have tried this below plus changed spark plug, filter, primer bulb and gas!

"This is a 2001 model year mower that is AYP (Electrolux) made with a Tecumseh #143.006700 engine on it.

This is an old style float/bowl type carburetor. I'm betting that if you take out the bowl screw, clean the bowl and the tiny passages in the bowl screw (they are very small and must be spotless), this machine will fire right up.

A new primer would not hurt and that does help cold starting. If the primer feels "mushy" or soggy, it is likely causing an air leak and contributing to your problem."


My carb is so clean now I can eat off it. Still after 10+ pushes of primer bulb and pulling 2-3 times lawnmower finally starts up and sounds like its running ok. I let it warm up for a minute then start to cut the grass and it dies. Try to start it again now it won't start for a few miuntes then have to pull on cord 8-10 times then it will start, I go again to cut grass and it dies once again. I am at the point of sending it down the highway or taking a sludge hammer to it.

Do you have ideas?  

Answer
Hello Roger:

From the Breakdown/IPL it shows this Carburetor to have Air Mixture Screws for the Idle and High Rpm Jets. The Following is Instructions on Setting the Air Mixture Screws. ****The Operational/High RPM Air Mixture Screw is In the Carburetor Bowl in the Center of the Nut or Some Carburetors have Both the Idle Air and Operational Air Adjustment Screws Side by Side on the Top Side of the Carburetor. The Screw Closest to the Engine Is Usually the Operational Air Mixture Screw on this Type Carburetor.The Idle Air Mixture is the One at Top on the Side and Goes Into the Carburetor.   Some have the Idle Air Mixture Screw Going Vertically Into the Top of the Carburetor. The Engine Idle Screw is the One that Moves the Throttle Plate. The Following is the Directions for Setting these Screws. **If the Carburetor was Soaked Overnight in Carburetor Cleaning Solution and the Passages Blown Out with Compressed Air and a New Kit Installed,  then we can Set the Air Mixture Screws. Turn Both Air Mixture Screws In Until Seated. **DO NOT JAM  SNUG ONLY** Turn Both Screws Out 1 1/2 Turns. Set the Throttle to Full Open and Start the Engine. Override the Throttle by Pushing the Governor Arm by Hand and Turn the Operational/High Air Mixture Screw(bottom of the bowl) In Until the Engine is Revving Properly. Now Slow Engine to Idle. Set the Idle Air Mixture Screw so there is No Hesitation when Throttling from Idle to Full Throttle. Now Set the Engine Idle if Required.**** Have you Checked the Compression? Is teh Coil Breaking Down? From your Description it Sound like the Air Mixture Screws need Adjusting, Low Compression or The Carburetor is Still Restricted. Did you Soak the Carburetor Overnight in Carburetor Cleaner and then Blow Out the Passages with Compressed Air? Since this is a Tecumseh Engine, I have 2 PDF Site Addys that May Assist and Interest you. They are: 1- http://www.tecumsehpower.com/CustomerService/BSI.pdf and 2- http://www.cpdonline.com/692509.pdf Hope this Helps. I am here if you Require more Assistance. Let me know what Happens, Please. Thanks.


Good Luck

Respectfully

John