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slyme65 · May 17, 2011, 01:52 PM

Hello folks.my tiller is a b&s craftsman 5.5hp mo.#917.292390.

The person I bought it from told me it had not been ran in over 2 years. The only way I could get it to start was by removing the spark plug &spraying starter fluied in the chamber.Now it would run nice for as long as I let it.but it would not cold start,I would have to repete the starter fluild thing every time to start it.So I cleand the fuel system and found the gas tank very rusted with lots of thick rust on the inside walls so I cleand that as best I could with presher washer but noticed some hard to get areas on top and such.I cleand the rest of the carb and put in a new diafram too.Had problems with the sprig on the diafram,not sure how it went back,on top or under so I tried it both ways and it would just run till it burnt the starter fluied and wouldent start with out it? So it is running worse now,Any help would be great!t/y

SLYE65

ballengerb1 · May 17, 2011, 02:45 PM

I hope you didn't pay much for this rusted clunker. I'd replace the tank with a poly tank , all fuel lines and filter and do a tear down on the carb if you know how to rebuild one. I never would have bought it for any price if it did not start, did you try it?

slyme65 · May 17, 2011, 08:15 PM

Hello ballebgerb1.Well yeah,I paid 30 bucks for the tiller.It is an older mo.But in very nice shape or lightly used.However,a guess the gas tank build up condentsation form sitting for so long.And yes,I did try it and it ran fine under load and all.The problem was that it would not start with out starter fluid but once it started it operated great,although I only ran it 10min.at a time.So,I don't mind the money I spent I do enjoy learning small engine repair.I'm 18mo into the hoby.I guess what I'll do now is go through the fuel system again.Like I wrote before.I did clean out the tank best I could but I did have some hard to reach areas so ill do that next,before I give up and buy a new tank.The areas I was able to clean in the tank did clean up well.If you know of a site where I can find diagrams on the linkage and any othere info on this mo.(917292390 sears b&s) that would be great. Thanks SLYME65

ballengerb1 · May 17, 2011, 08:28 PM

If you get a great fuel line filter you may be able to keep the crap tank. You might save this link http://www.searspartsdirect.com/part...dMod=917292390

slyme65 · May 20, 2011, 03:25 PM

ballengerb1,hello!
First of all I want to thank you for your help.Now,I did take care of the gas tank problem!this tank has the carburator build onto it,so I could not see a way to add an on line filter to it.But I took it all apart again and cleaned the system out with carb cleaner,and then put some mild acid in the tank alog with a shop rag,small rocks and shook it well a few time and the hard to reach areas came clean.So it now starts well.I had a lot of fun to this point,but now I have another problem.I can't get it to idel right.It runs too high now.I tried doing the linkage every way I could,but I can't get it to idel down,not shure if I may be missing a spring or have one on wrong.Ive surched on line for pics or a diagram showing how they go or if I'm missing one.anyway.I will let you know how I make out. Again,thanks.

SEARS B&S 5.5HP TILLER MO#917.292390
If anyone has a pic or diagram on this slyme65
Linkage please reply.