Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): craftsman riding lawnmower, craftsman riding mower, carbeurator

Question
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Followup To
Question - The engine is the Tecumseh model#143.436012 10 HP.  There is an adjustment screw on the bottom of the carbeurator but I can't really get a good look at it because the fender is in the way.  What next?  Also I have left the Air filter and cover off because the foam is drenched in oil.  Do I need to order a new foam filter?

Mark

Eric,

I tried the starter fluid after replacing the oil and although I got spark (it turned over and caught momentarily) it was clear after numerous attempts that it was only the starter fluid combusting and the fuel supply is not there.  What's next?

Mark

Followup To
Question -
Eric,

I tried something similar yesterday after reading similar inquiries on your site and others.  I checked the oil level and found it to be low enough not to show on the stick.
I removed the spark plug and tried to start the engine.  No oil from the spark plug hole but oil sprayed from the muffler.  I read somewhere that oil in the muffler won't keep it from starting so I figure it must be fuel mixture or spark.  I cleaned the plug and put it back but no luck starting. At this point I figured perhaps a new plug or maybe the carbeurator is full of oil and needs to be cleaned or whatever.  Should I completely drain the oil and remove the plug and start next?

Mark   -------------------------
Followup To
Question -
Hi Eric,

I was given a 1995 10 horsepower Craftsman riding mower by my elderly neighbor after I helped him pull it out of his hedges and he couldn't make it move.  I pointed out a broken belt on the ground beneath the machine.  He thanked me and asked me to take the mower and he would buy a new one.
I brought the mower home, ordered the 'motion' belt and proceeded to install it.  I first removed the mowing deck and then lifted the machine up onto its right side in order to see what I was doing to install the belt.
I left the machine like this for a couple days and when I brought it upright noticed a small amount of oil on the garage floor, thinking little of it.
The next weekend I went to start it and realized the front tires were flat.  I inflated them and tried starting the mower and found that nothing happened.  I replaced the battery with a new one and finally got a click but nothing more.
After numerous attempts in neutral and all gears it turned over but did not catch.  This mower had been starting fine for the previous owner so I didn't suspect the spark plug.
When I took a closer look (opening the air filter cover) I noticed that the filter was drenched in oil and oil was puddling in the reservoir beneath it.  I removed the filter and the machine sprayed oil while trying to start.  What have I done here?

Mark      
Answer -
Drain the engine oil, remove the spark plug and crank the engine over.  DO NOT run the engine without oil...KEEP the spark plug removed!!!!!!!

Basically you're are draining/cleaning out the engine crankcase and cylinder.

Let me know if oil/gas sprays out of the spark plug hole.
Eric
Answer -
I'd recommend a new plug, drain the engine oil, (REFILL with SAE-30) and try starting the engine with some starting fluid.

Just some FYI, I highly doubt the coil is bad, no spark, they rarely fail.  The problem is either the plug and/or some oil in the carb like you said.  The starting fluid should make the engine start.
Let me know what happens.
Eric
Answer -
Is the engine a Briggs or Tcumseh?
Look on the bottom of the carburetor.  Do you see and adjustment screw threaded into a nut that holds the float bowl onto the carburetor?

Let me know.

Eric

Answer
The foam can be cleaned, dried and lightly re-oiled.  I would recommend removing the high speed jet located on the bottom of the carburetor; it should be a 7/16 or 1/2 inch wrench.  NOTE:  gas should flow out when you remove the high speed jet so you may want to clamp off the fuel line or drain the fuel tank.

With the high speed jet removed you can carefully remove the float bowl and inspect the float and inlet needle.  If you're extra careful you can remove the float and inlet needle and see if the float has a hole in it.  Shake the float next to your ear...most times you can hear fluid in it if it is leaking or you can feel the extra weight.

Carefully re-assemlbe the carb and then see if it starts.  If it doesn't start then you will have to remove and clean the carb.

I would also recommend checking the head bolt torque...200 inch pounds. Some of the older Tecumseh engines have a tendancy to vibrate and loosen the head bolts causing all sorts of weird problems.

Let me know what you find.
Eric