[rmgaunt48]

I have a Craftsman 5 hp Eager 1 22 inch mulch push mower that will not start. I've had for 6-7 years. Did a complete tune up this year like every. When it wouldn't start, I got another plug, new gas and attempted to clean the gas line. It does nothing when I pull the line- just spins. I've let it sit and attempted the next day. Primed it appropriately. Nothing. It has worked fine, even this season. Any recommendations? Thanks.

[briancp34]

Did you check to be sure that the choke isn't stuck in the closed position?

[21boat]

Primed it appropriately. Nothing. It has worked fine, even this season. Any recommendations? Thanks

.

The primer bulb can feel primed but that doesn't guarantee its working. There is a check valve that could be stuck and give you a false positive think the carb is primed.

Run some gas directly in carb and see if it wants to run. If so then start from the primer and go to carb getting fuel.

The most common problems Ive been running into is the ethanol additive in the gas. I suspect the carb has dirt in it or the needle and seat vaulve is not letting gas into the carb. Put some gas directly into the carb and see if it starts. If so then needle and seat may be the culprit.

I found the best product to clean a carb is to use Sea Foam which I get at my boat dealer.

The standard carb cleaner doesn't seem to cut the residue left from the ethanol gas.

You take the carb off /apart and clean it that way which is 100%. If you do this check the fuel pump to see if its soft and not cracked.. A If fuel pump is hard then no good.

If you want to test for spark use and old spark plug that you know is still good and cut off the curve end and then plug wire on ground that plug to see if the spark is jumping that extra distance then that's good. If not then you have a problem with an ignition coil.

I'm added a lot here for a hit and miss and also to take out the possibilities one by one.

So

1. Check fuel filter
2. Check primer bulb and see if it pumps gas to carb.
3. Run gas directly to carb to see if it starts
4. If gas is getting to carb then check plug spark as I outlined.
4. Back to carb if spark is good.
5. Still no go take carb off and check needle and seat valve and float. Might as well take the rest of the carb apart and clean out. Consider it maintenance which after 7 years this will help down the road if not now for hard starts.