Walk-Behind Lawn Mowers Discussion Board

destroyed items

JulieK — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 19:20:49 GMT

Hi ja123-connect! Did you receive a mower that was in poor condition upon arrival? We can get you in touch with SearsCares, the customer service escalation team, if you would like. Check your inbox for a message from me. Once you reply with the requested information, they can directly contact you.

destroyed items

ja123-connect — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 17:11:17 GMT

I had a very bad experience. Purchasing a item that arrive at your home destroyed.

Lawn mower cable broke - need to repair it but which cable is it?

lightsaber — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 16:50:37 GMT

Hi pscruzn;

To access the rope starter assembly you need to remove the blower housing by removing the blower housing bolts located around the sides of the engine. The rope starter will be attached to the underside of the blower housing.

Below is a web address for instructions on replacing the starter rope on a Craftsman mower from "Manage My Life". Copy and paste the web address to your upper address bar, and click the go button. Good Luck

http://www.managemylife.com/mmh/questions/110899-starter-rope-lawn-mower

Lawn mower cable broke - need to repair it but which cable is it?

pscruzn — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 15:46:47 GMT

I have a craftsman model 917.374352 power mower with a frayed starter rope. I ordered part no 697316 to replace it, but after removing the top grille, I'm not sure how to proceed. Any instructions?

Bent Crankshaft?

lightsaber — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 01:23:46 GMT

For the crankshaft to be bent, the mower blade had likely hit something, but you would have noticed that impact. If the blade is not installed correctly, or the blade bolt starts to get loose, then it will sound like what you are describing! Also check the mower deck for a dented spot that the blade is hitting, and ensure that the replacement blade is the correct length and style.

Billfish is absolutely correct about the mower crankshaft replacement being not worth the expense, just buy a new mower!

Bent Crankshaft?

Billfish — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 22:19:30 GMT

A bent crankshaft can be determined visually by looking at the rotation of the blade while you pull the rope (spark plug removed,of course).I guess it would be more correct to say "while someone else pulls the rope".But don't forget about the plug.Once you see one it is pretty obvious.

On these mowers replacing a crankshaft is not economical.There was a time when you could buy short blocks for a reasonable price but I don't believe that is any longer true.

Bent Crankshaft?

Shirine — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 21:27:05 GMT

I bought a Craftsman self propelled lawn mower in April. I was mowing my small yard and it was working just fine, had to stop mowing for a few minutes, then when I started it again, it started making a knocking noise (like the blade is hitting the deck) unitl the RPM's got high enough and then it would stop until mower is turned off and it makes noise again as the blade slows down. I started it and shut it down a couple more times trying to figure out what was wrong and now it makes the noise the whole time. I tried replacing the blade but that didn't help. I took it into Sears and they tried to tell me my crankshaft is bent but I swear that the mower has been gently used and I didn't hit anything. Is there anything else it could be? If it is the crankshaft is it worth fixing?

Lawn mower cable broke - need to repair it but which cable is it?

ShadetreeRet — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 04:19:49 GMT

I just do the best I can with what I've got! Glad to hear all turned out well. Thanks for keeping us informed.

Lawn mower cable broke - need to repair it but which cable is it?

BigMike4511 — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:30:38 GMT

Score one for Shadetree.

Lawn mower cable broke - need to repair it but which cable is it?

bhatiahn — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 00:09:11 GMT

It indeed was a cable lying on the grass. It had gotten tangled in the blades which is why the engine stopped. The engine started back again and working fine so all is good. No need for any repairs.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Lawn mower cable broke - need to repair it but which cable is it?

ShadetreeRet — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:58:17 GMT

If the cable is as long as you stated, it sounds like it may have been on the ground and the mower ran over it. When you say it stopped working, did the engine quit, or did it just quit cutting? Have you tried to start it since? While somewhat unlikely, there is a possibility that it could be the starter spring. Just some thoughts. Keep us posted, we like to help if possible, but we like to know the results also.

Lawn mower cable broke - need to repair it but which cable is it?

madgolfer — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 04:02:08 GMT

Hi bhatiahn, the correct model is 917.378550 and the parts list is available at Sears Partsdirect. There should only be 2 cables, one for the drive engagement handle and one for the control device bail. You can also get a breakdown of the engine at Partsdirect by entering the engine model number gcv160-as3a.

Lawn mower cable broke - need to repair it but which cable is it?

bhatiahn — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 00:03:41 GMT

My Craftsman lawn mower (Model 317378550) had a cable snap and it stopped working. I don't know what cable it is or where it came from. The drive cable seems intact and also the throttle cable. Are there any other cables inside the motor assembly that aren't visible on the outside? This cable is pretty long (at least 6-8 feet) with a lot of kinks/folds so it most likely was wound around something.

I can't seem to find a replacement cable other than drive or throttle cables online. Anyone have any suggestions/thoughts?

Craftsman Walk-Behind Mower will not start when hot

kosoku — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 21:49:34 GMT

I recently got my Craftsman self-propelled mower (Honda engine) back from Sears repair service. The engine runs strong as new, but now when it gets hot it stalls out and will not start again. If I let it cool, it starts again. What could be causing this?

For the first 30 minutes or so, it's running like a champ. Then all of a sudden it's like someone pulled the plug on it.

Model 917.374356-carb/choke problem again!

madgolfer — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 00:20:46 GMT

The only lawnmower engine with a manual choke is the Honda OHC. Haven't seen a choke on a Briggs & Stratton powered lawnmower in years, Craftsman or otherwise. Have you tried starting it with the airfilter removed?

Model 917.374356-carb/choke problem again!

lightsaber — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 17:13:26 GMT

Hello jafo69;

Below is a web address for you to copy and paste to your top address bar, and click the go button to watch a short video on rebuilding a carburetor similar to yours. If you are are so inclined, the first part of the video explains how to remove, clean, and reinstall the fuel bowl on the carburetor to attempt a remedy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArCAivgAyww&feature=related

Model 917.374356-carb/choke problem again!

jafo69 — Tue, 21 Jun 2011 16:05:43 GMT

I have the Craftsman walk behind mower model 917.374356. It was purchased late last summer. It experienced stalling and non-starting issues. It was brought in for service just after purchase for a carb. replacement under warranty. Same problem again happened this spring and the tech serviced the carburetor. The machine died on me again last night with the same exact problem. My patience is wearing thin with this mower that isn’t even 1 year old yet. Has anyone experienced problems with this model and non-adjustable choke mower? Recalled maybe? I won’t be happy when I bring to service center tomorrow. Thanks.

Starting problem

inquisitivemind — Tue, 17 May 2011 17:32:35 GMT

Whilst I am not familiar with that particular model my guess would be a blocked, or partially choked jet in the carburetor.

Time for a carb clean.

Good luck.

Starting problem

madgolfer — Tue, 17 May 2011 17:19:06 GMT

Hi SouthTexas, maybe the gas cap is too tight, it has to breathe or the engine starves.

Starting problem

SouthTexasLawn — Tue, 17 May 2011 15:35:50 GMT

I have a 625 self propelled lawn mower which I used for over a year. Worked fine until couple of days ago. Today, it will start and will keep running as long as I keep pressing the timer. When I stop pumping the primer the engine stops. I cleaned the gas line and the spark plug. Any idea what else to do?