Craftsman riding mower won't stay running

saveahorse

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Hi I'm Cindi. I have an older Craftsman riding mower. A couple weeks ago I was mowing and it just sputtered and died. I replaced the battery because it was old and wouldn't hold a charge. I've checked the gas cap and it gets air, changed fuel filter, It now starts but quits within a few seconds. I'm going to clean out the little metal cup under the carburator. Sorry I forgot the name of it, and hope for the best. I live on disability and there's no $$ for a repair man or a new mower so hoping I don't need a starter as well. Wish me luck cause my lawn looks more like a field.
 

Mikel1

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Have you cleaned the carb?
 

Carscw

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Hi I'm Cindi. I have an older Craftsman riding mower. A couple weeks ago I was mowing and it just sputtered and died. I replaced the battery because it was old and wouldn't hold a charge. I've checked the gas cap and it gets air, changed fuel filter, It now starts but quits within a few seconds. I'm going to clean out the little metal cup under the carburator. Sorry I forgot the name of it, and hope for the best. I live on disability and there's no $$ for a repair man or a new mower so hoping I don't need a starter as well. Wish me luck cause my lawn looks more like a field.

If it turns over and starts then you starter is fine.

You was so close the metal cup thing is called a bowl.
How is the air filter?
Don't know what model you have or engine but some have a oil safety switch. Make sure the oil is full.
Just for a fast test Will it run with the coke on or half open?
Was it running good before it shut down?

Sorry to ask this but is it out of gas?

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))
 

saveahorse

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Yes the gas tank is full, plenty of oil, has compression, new spark plug, new battery. It's a White mower, I keep saying Craftsman which I believe is about the same. Has a Briggs and Stratton 16 hp cool. It was going along nicely when it just sputtered and died.
 

Carscw

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Yes the gas tank is full, plenty of oil, has compression, new spark plug, new battery. It's a White mower, I keep saying Craftsman which I believe is about the same. Has a Briggs and Stratton 16 hp cool. It was going along nicely when it just sputtered and died.

Did you take the bowl off?
Was it full of gas?

I would take the carb off and get a rebuild kit and clean it.

I don't know how much a shop would charge you to clean and rebuild it. But I would take it off and bring it to them.

Sounds like you know a little about mowers so maybe you could do it your self.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))
 

saveahorse

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Did you take the bowl off?
Was it full of gas?

I would take the carb off and get a rebuild kit and clean it.

I don't know how much a shop would charge you to clean and rebuild it. But I would take it off and bring it to them.

Sounds like you know a little about mowers so maybe you could do it your self.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))

Yes the bowl had gas in it and I also cleaned it. My Grandson checked it out last night and is going to take off the carb. He said he's sure that's the problem so I will post if that does the trick.
 

Carscw

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Yes the bowl had gas in it and I also cleaned it. My Grandson checked it out last night and is going to take off the carb. He said he's sure that's the problem so I will post if that does the trick.

Glad you have him to help you.

I agree it's going to be a dirty carb.

(( racing is the only sport that you need two balls ))
 

saveahorse

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Yes the bowl had gas in it and I also cleaned it. My Grandson checked it out last night and is going to take off the carb. He said he's sure that's the problem so I will post if that does the trick.

Ok so, carb is all redone and the mower did start with a little more umph. Problem is that it drained the new battery in just minutes. Would that be the starter?
 
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