Walk behind Craftsman 725s Self propelled, electric start, rear bagger

[NutmegChef]

I bought this mower at Sears about 3-4 weeks ago. Ran great the first few times I mowed the lawn. Now it has trouble starting either with pull cord or electric start and won't run for more than 2-3 seconds before it shuts down. Have been running 87 octane pump gas since day 1 purchased at the same place every time.
Not sure if its a carb issue or what. Any help greatly appreciated. Mower has a 190cc B&S engine, 7.25 ft.lbs. torque output, if that helps.
Thanks
Steve

 

[Kodie's Lawn Service]

Okay I had one but took it back on mine that I had the auto choke arm need to bent some if you can re turn it
If not maybe buy a choke lever you may try but before you try running it using a string on the choke arm

 

[NutmegChef]

Is it possible to disconnect the auto choke on this engine? I'm kinda mad that this thing died after less than a month. Was going to buy the same mower but with the Honda engine. I was an idiot for listening to the salesman.
What did you mean by bending the choke arm?
Steve

 

[Kodie's Lawn Service]

Is it possible to disconnect the auto choke on this engine? I'm kinda mad that this thing died after less than a month. Was going to buy the same mower but with the Honda engine. I was an idiot for listening to the salesman.
What did you mean by bending the choke arm?
Steve

Okay if you wanna remove the choke arm off you have to take the recoil housing off and u will see a the choke arm on there I would say you may wanna look on how to mount your own choke lever so you can mount it before you go taking off the arm..

 

[NutmegChef]

I just talked to Sears. They told me I can exchange it for another model. Do you know anything about the 190cc Honda engine? Since B&S engines are basically crap, I assume the Honda will be more dependable...
Any info you have would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve

 

[Kodie's Lawn Service]

I just talked to Sears. They told me I can exchange it for another model. Do you know anything about the 190cc Honda engine? Since B&S engines are basically crap, I assume the Honda will be more dependable...
Any info you have would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Steve

Steve look at the cx series I have one I bought a a week or two ago I like mine I have about 7 hours on mine and I am about to change the break in oil :thumbsup:

 

[NutmegChef]

I finally had a few minutes to take a look at the mower today (first day off in a few weeks) I drained the gas and it didn't look right. Looked in the tank and there was obvious signs of water in the gas. Drained the carb, put in a new air filter (thing was soaked with oil) put in some fresh gas and it fired up on the first push of the start button.
I did look at the CX line of mowers you mentioned...little pricey for my budget. They said I could exchange my mower for another model on the phone, but when I got to the store they said I could only exchange it for another of the same mower. Treated me like a total idiot too.
Pretty sure this will be my last time buying anything from Sears. Will go with something from Huqvarna or JD next time...will just have to save for a hella long time though...heh heh heh...
Thanks for the help. I was going to post a question about the Husky Rancher 455 saw I bought last year, but it turns out it was stolen out of my storage shed. Noticed it was gone this morning when I went out to prune a few trees in my front yard.

Steve

 

[Kodie's Lawn Service]

Glade to hear you have it running right I would recommend using 93 oct with stabil or ethonal free gas and hate to hear your chainsaw was stolen