Craftsman Lawn Mower with carburetor issues.

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Jul 24, 2019
Messages
3
Location
St. Anthony, NL, Canada
Hi, New here, I have a Sears Craftsman lawn mower, with a Briggs and Stratton engine, There is no throttle, just full auto on the carburetor. The mower will start but quickly die, Seems to be fuel issue. I have checked air filter, sparkplug, etc, the problem I have is that the top of the carburetor is just a combination of plastic levers with a spring and two connecting rods that control choke and engine speed. It does not seem to be a blockage. I have no idea how to repair this. I have included a photo of the top of the carburetor. it appears to be a 796608 model carburetor. Any help?

IMG_2556.jpg
 
Can't see the bottom in your image but usually the ,main jet can get plugged or water collects near it.
The main jet is usually built into the bolt that holds the float bowl in place at the bottom of the carb.
Undo the bolt/jet, wiggle the bowl loose & pour out whatever is in there, clean it & spray some carb cleaner
or WD-40 though the bolt/jet assembly, tighten it back in place You may require a clamp on the fuel line,
gasoline will pour out from the tank if you don't crimp the fuel inlet hose closed.
 
Hi vw7674, thank you for your reply, I should have added that I had already cleaned the bowl and bolt/jet at the bottom of the carburetor without any change in the issue. I have also removed the air filter and housing and started it with same result. It seems to be something with the configuration on the top of the carburetor that controls engine speed, I have not seen this setup before, and therefore I have no idea if what is in the picture is actually correct setup or if something is out of place.
 
Fuel issue. Drain the gas, put it in a clear soda bottle, should be clear, Let it sit, if there is water in the bottle it will sink to the bottom. If good, take the gas cap off and then try it.
 
If it has a spark arrestor, inspect, clean, replace, or throw it in the trash.
 
mower carbs can be finnicky. I have had to use welders tip cleaners to run thru the jets. They get a gum on the jet with the ethanol gas. you can spray clean all day and never really get it clean. I have had this on several mowers and one of my VW's with a carb.
 
Originally Posted by vwmaniaman
mower carbs can be finnicky. I have had to use welders tip cleaners to run thru the jets. They get a gum on the jet with the ethanol gas. you can spray clean all day and never really get it clean. I have had this on several mowers and one of my VW's with a carb.


Carb cleaner and a bread tie stripped down to bare wire works pretty good too.
 
If is starts but won't stay running, it sounds like the needle seat is not fully opening when needed. Either its gummed up or the float is sticking/ set at wrong height. Fuel fills the bowl , you start it, and it burns fuel faster than the fuel can get through the needle seat.

I'd either take the carb completely apart and run a small stylet through every port and jet, clean with carb cleaner, and inspect the float needle seat.

Or buy a replacement carb.
 
Last edited:
Dump the tank and empty the carburetor. Fill the fuel bowl with Berryman's B12 and let it sit overnight or a day or so. Also dose some fresh ethanol-free fuel with B12 as directed and fill the tank. Should clean out any gumminess that is causing havoc. I routinely dose my OPE gas with B12 even if I use some Sta-bil Marine in it. Never any problems!
 
Take the gas cap off and start it. If it does not die, you have a faulty cap.

I had to replace one on my Craftsman lawn mower that would not let air into the tank to replace the gas entering the carb.
 
An aftermarket carb for that is $11 on eBay. Slap it on, it will run like new. Ive used hundreds of these carbs when I had my small engine shop. They run excellent, and are just as good as the OEM carb, often times better.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Carburetor-Assembly-For-Briggs-Stratton-111000-11P000-121000-12Q000-796608-New/113644360229?hash=item1a75bb5225:g:p4EAAOSwJ5dcZ1d1

Youtube video how to change the carb. Easy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ykr3tBfc_Rg
 
I vote pick up an Amazon/eBay replacement carb, swap that and also drain and clean out the fuel tank. There might be a small filter in the bottom of the tank at the hose. I just had a generator and a Craftsman push mower with similar symptoms, both B&S engines, replaced the carb on the generator since it was in need of rebuild and found the filter was clogged after it still died quickly.
 
Yeah, same thing I did on one of the gens … less than $20 on eBay and 15 minute job … runs like new
 
There is a good chance that your engine is stalling due to a lack of fuel and not a dirty carb. The fuel needle seat is probably swollen and the float bowl is not at the proper height. The "RED" needle seat gasket needs to be replaced. Below are the link to the items that you will need and a video on how to do it. I hope this helps.

RED Gasket
https://www.amazon.com/Carbhub-Stra...hy=1014895&hvtargid=pla-786119622381

Tool
https://www.amazon.com/SE-Tools-TEC670377-Tecumseh-Carburator/dp/B0096MWOG6


Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTavW_0ZsRg
 
Originally Posted by rocky37
There is a good chance that your engine is stalling due to a lack of fuel and not a dirty carb. The fuel needle seat is probably swollen and the float bowl is not at the proper height. The "RED" needle seat gasket needs to be replaced. Below are the link to the items that you will need and a video on how to do it. I hope this helps.

RED Gasket
https://www.amazon.com/Carbhub-Stra...hy=1014895&hvtargid=pla-786119622381

Tool
https://www.amazon.com/SE-Tools-TEC670377-Tecumseh-Carburator/dp/B0096MWOG6


Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTavW_0ZsRg


Its cheaper, and easier, to buy a new carb, and slap it on in 5 minutes.
 
Yeah, this is (many times) one of the 'never clean enough' carbs. You find them on the Weed Eater One Briggs engines, and some pressure washers too. Like the nearly uncleanable Tecumseh Vector with the plastic carburetor bottom. Buy a new one and replace.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top