Hi I have craftsman 6.5 push mower that is about 8 years old. I went to prime it to start it last week and after it starts it only stays on for about 5 to 10 seconds and then shuts off. Then it won't start again unless I prime it again. It did this about 10 times and then the engine locked up and it won't turn over at all now. I checked the oil and it has the right level. I guess first of all how do I get it to unlock and then why isn't it staying on?

For the not running part... the carb, sounds like trash in the carb (which would mean a rebuild kit gaskets and all and tear it apart, soak it in carb cleaner and blow it out with compressed air)


For being locked up...
Take the spark plug out and see if it turns over easy now... may have gotten fuel in the combustion chamber locking it...

IF that's not it, only other possibility is the rope on the starter jumped the pulley and jammed, or flywheel brake isn't working right.

Hi there I had the same poblem try your air filter see if that's blocked up. If its not there should be 1 or 2 screws which are the jets it controls your fuel and oil mixture then just alternate between the two and that could well be your problem ;)

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Originally Posted by adam w

hi there i had the same poblem try your air filter see if thats blocked up. If its not there should be 1 or 2 screws which are the jets it controlls your fuel and oil mixture then just alternate between the two and that could well be your problem ;)

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This engine is a 4 cycle, no oil fuel mix (and if its only a couple years old, no fuel adjustments) you do have a point on the filter.. if its totally stopped up (or almost) it will be like choking it.