I don't think people realize that mowers have at least 3 different manufacturers with their own problems, services, and warranty. Also that the number on the hood is just a series number and can have several different models within that series. And that doesn't take into account the 3rd party companies manufacturing under license to brand products Like Murray, Snapper, Husqvarna, Craftsman, Briggs and Stratton and the 3rd party manufacturer handles all parts, service, warranty, etc.Well for what seems like the millionth time we the need real model number from the serial number tag and in this case the engine model and spec numbers. Personally I am getting tired of having try explain to folks that every mower and engine is usually different and have their own set of problems. Posters seems to think every mower and engine are the same. THey are not as complex as automobiles but are still an assembly of different manufactures parts.
If an engine refuses to start (regardless of brand, etc.), one of the first things you can check is the spark plug. Is it wet, dry, condition, gap. Then put a little gas into the spark plug hole and put plug back in and see if it fires.Craftsman T2400 Kohler engine (24 hrs on the guage) purchased from Lowes May 2022. It has been doing great. Wife can never remember to choke before cranking OR to take it off choke once it is cranked. Yesterday she jumped on the tractor, cranked it up and took off with the choke engaged. I started running toward her to take the choke off - but before I got there it died. She drove it about 20'. Now it will not fire and run. I put the battery charger on it so the battery is good. It had fresh gas in it. Starter turns it over but no fire. Any ideas what I should do to get it going?
I did give him the info that he needs to post we needed for looking up the equipment. And for the late post as I just got back out of horsepital.Hey SUPER Star Tech, you were never a newbie on any forum? Give the guy some help, not condescending crap.
Sorry about that snap but it does irritate me that it keeps constantly happening that the need is not posted before we can look things up.Sorry about that...Spec PS-KT730-3046 Serial 5202706963 build date 1/27/2022
No problem! Im that guy on the Montana Fifth Wheel Owners forum who has no patience with newbies who ask a question but never state their year or model number. My bad for not being more specific with my question. I will work on the tractor this pm and update you. I appreciate the help!I did give him the info that he needs to post we needed for looking up the equipment. And for the late post as I just got back out of horsepital.
Sorry about that snap but it does irritate me that it keeps constantly happening that the need is not posted before we can look things up.
First check for spark at the plug with it grounded to the engine as she may may just fouled it out. And just note that even if fires outside the engine's compression zone it still can be bad enough to not fire under the compression load. The best option is to try a known good plug.
Hi Star Tech. Sorry to hear you were in the hospital, and hope you are on the mend. I too regret my snap. My apologies.I did give him the info that he needs to post we needed for looking up the equipment. And for the late post as I just got back out of horsepital.
Sorry about that snap but it does irritate me that it keeps constantly happening that the need is not posted before we can look things up.
First check for spark at the plug with it grounded to the engine as she may may just fouled it out. And just note that even if fires outside the engine's compression zone it still can be bad enough to not fire under the compression load. The best option is to try a known good plug.
Was this perhaps your first mow of the season? Or, had you just added fuel that has been sitting for awhile. You might have some water in the tank, check with a turkey baster, just not the one that your wife uses.Craftsman T2400 Kohler engine (24 hrs on the guage) purchased from Lowes May 2022. It has been doing great. Wife can never remember to choke before cranking OR to take it off choke once it is cranked. Yesterday she jumped on the tractor, cranked it up and took off with the choke engaged. I started running toward her to take the choke off - but before I got there it died. She drove it about 20'. Now it will not fire and run. I put the battery charger on it so the battery is good. It had fresh gas in it. Starter turns it over but no fire. Any ideas what I should do to get it going?
Still sounds like it’s not getting gas from the carb. If you remove the carb bowl plug, does gas flow from the bowl? If there’s a fuel shut off, is it completely open?Out the new carb on today. Still get the same result. It fires for 3 seconds and dies. It will not crank.
For what it is worth - spark plugs are getting spark (got shocked by one) and gas flows out of fuel pump.
The new plug tips looked vaguely like small film of clear oil on the tip. I wiped it off.
What next? I'm thinking I need to find a mobile lawn mower mechanic - if there is such a thing.
The one shop within 30 miles will keep it for 4-6 weeks...if I can get it loaded up on the truck and take it in.
I'd install new spark plugs. By running it multiple times with the choke on, you've probably gas soaked them causing them not to fire/spark properly.Craftsman T2400 Kohler engine (24 hrs on the guage) purchased from Lowes May 2022. It has been doing great. Wife can never remember to choke before cranking OR to take it off choke once it is cranked. Yesterday she jumped on the tractor, cranked it up and took off with the choke engaged. I started running toward her to take the choke off - but before I got there it died. She drove it about 20'. Now it will not fire and run. I put the battery charger on it so the battery is good. It had fresh gas in it. Starter turns it over but no fire. Any ideas what I should do to get it going?
I 2nd this. Any time I have starting problems, new fuel is my first go-to.Dump the old gas. Drain the carbs and lines. Pour in fresh gas. It’s the old gasoline. Problems with small engines are almost always “bad” gas.
Very possible, Gebo, especially if the gas wasn’t stabilized or contains ethanol, since ethanol attracts moisture. I always fill my cans with non-ethanol, stabilized fuel. Great point!Dump the old gas. Drain the carbs and lines. Pour in fresh gas. It’s the old gasoline. Problems with small engines are almost always “bad” gas.
I expect the Spark Plug is carboned up due to running rich with the Choke On.Craftsman T2400 Kohler engine (24 hrs on the guage) purchased from Lowes May 2022. It has been doing great. Wife can never remember to choke before cranking OR to take it off choke once it is cranked. Yesterday she jumped on the tractor, cranked it up and took off with the choke engaged. I started running toward her to take the choke off - but before I got there it died. She drove it about 20'. Now it will not fire and run. I put the battery charger on it so the battery is good. It had fresh gas in it. Starter turns it over but no fire. Any ideas what I should do to get it going?
Craftsman T2400 Kohler engine (24 hrs on the guage) purchased from Lowes May 2022. It has been doing great. Wife can never remember to choke before cranking OR to take it off choke once it is cranked. Yesterday she jumped on the tractor, cranked it up and took off with the choke engaged. I started running toward her to take the choke off - but before I got there it died. She drove it about 20'. Now it will not fire and run. I put the battery charger on it so the battery is good. It had fresh gas in it. Starter turns it over but no fire. Any ideas what I should do to get it going?
It's probably flooded out. Take spark plug off and wipe it off. Put back in and try starting without choke. Also you do not need your model and serial number to diagnose. Unless your behind a computer to diagnose it.
I'd pull the spark plug, it's probably fouled! If not, clean it up with brass or steel brush, check the gap, and then try again. If that doesn't do it, spray a very small burst of starting fluid into the air intake and turn it over. Once it starts keep the throttle full on until it runs smoothly. Be very careful with the starting fluid amount!Craftsman T2400 Kohler engine (24 hrs on the guage) purchased from Lowes May 2022. It has been doing great. Wife can never remember to choke before cranking OR to take it off choke once it is cranked. Yesterday she jumped on the tractor, cranked it up and took off with the choke engaged. I started running toward her to take the choke off - but before I got there it died. She drove it about 20'. Now it will not fire and run. I put the battery charger on it so the battery is good. It had fresh gas in it. Starter turns it over but no fire. Any ideas what I should do to get it going?
My wife didn't come with a serial number tag. Maybe I can return her and get a cash refund.Well for what seems like the millionth time we the need real model number from the serial number tag and in this case the engine model and spec numbers. Personally I am getting tired of having try explain to folks that every mower and engine is usually different and have their own set of problems. Posters seems to think every mower and engine are the same. THey are not as complex as automobiles but are still an assembly of different manufactures parts.
The new fuel anti;knock compounds in gas foul a plug very easily,and is almost impossible to remove the fouling by normal means,wire brush,etc.The fouling is not visible.Try this:Open the throttle wide open.Crank over engine and see if raw fuel comes out of spark plug hole.If not there is definitely a fuel supply problem.Did you change the fuel filter? Sometimes they will clog inside the tank,so remove the fuel line fitting at the tank and check if it is clogged.Sometimes this happens if it sits with fuel in it over the winter.Also check all the safety switches,seat(seat is prone to switch failure.),deck,clutch,forward,etc.if you have no a spark.Feeling a shock does not necessarily mean a good spark.
This is for experience and seeing thousands of plugs comes in. You described the plugs as being wet and dark but ever used plug that comes out of a mower is dark if not black and wet is a matter of opinion.Here is what I have done so far...spark plugs were wet and dark, so I put new Champion spark plugs in. I replaced the fuel filter and the air filter. Cleaned up everything. Initially I thought the battery was bad but it tested good at Advanced Auto Parts. The battery terminals were loose so I put in some new nuts and bolts to tighten them up. First crank attempt (no choke) - got no fire. I sprayed some starting fluid in the intake, again no choke and it fired up for about 3 seconds and died. Repeated the starter spray two more times with same result. What next?
Check your plug(s). Ran rich then died. Probably all Carboned up. Clean or change them as your skill level fits if you find they're black and/or wet. Good luck.Craftsman T2400 Kohler engine (24 hrs on the guage) purchased from Lowes May 2022. It has been doing great. Wife can never remember to choke before cranking OR to take it off choke once it is cranked. Yesterday she jumped on the tractor, cranked it up and took off with the choke engaged. I started running toward her to take the choke off - but before I got there it died. She drove it about 20'. Now it will not fire and run. I put the battery charger on it so the battery is good. It had fresh gas in it. Starter turns it over but no fire. Any ideas what I should do to get it going?
Craftsman T2400 Kohler engine (24 hrs on the guage) purchased from Lowes May 2022. It has been doing great. Wife can never remember to choke before cranking OR to take it off choke once it is cranked. Yesterday she jumped on the tractor, cranked it up and took off with the choke engaged. I started running toward her to take the choke off - but before I got there it died. She drove it about 20'. Now it will not fire and run. I put the battery charger on it so the battery is good. It had fresh gas in it. Starter turns it over but no fire. Any ideas what I should do to get it going?
Without a receipt, it will just be store credit!My wife didn't come with a serial number tag. Maybe I can return her and get a cash refund.
This is exactly why people really need to focus on the diagnostic skills when there is a problem with a piece of equipment.Well - sometimes the simplest things...the choke cable had slipped and the choke would not close. I adjusted the cable to close the choke plate and it runs great now. I appreciate the help from this forum!
But before I figured that out -
- I changed the plugs
- I changed the air and gas filters
- I put a new carb on it (kept the old one because it is probably ok)
- drained the fuel tank and put fresh ethanol free gas in it
- verified the fuel pump was spitting fuel
- cleaned the battery poles and tightened the cables for good contact
- All good basic maintenance thanks to the forum help!!!
Yes! The experience is worth a whole lot..On your situation, had you have gone to giving it an external fuel source first,
You would have removed the air filter and sprayed a little bit of carb cleaner or a tablespoon of fuel into the intake and then cranked it over.
It would have done one of two things.
It would have either started and continued to run just fine or it would have started and then died after a few seconds.
Then, the proper diagnostic procedure is to repeat this at least three times.
Well - I did this several times...maybe not 3 times in a row (possibly that was my shortfall)...but I got the same result each time...it fired up strong for 2-3 seconds then died. This happened whether I choked it or not. I watched a video on Kevin Caudill's youtube channel about choke adjustment - went out and watched it NOT CLOSE and made the adjustment, It fired and ran a bit rough at first but then started running great. You are correct that maybe I spent money on stuff I did not need - but frankly - this was a hell of learning experience for me - so I have no regrets...it was a $100 classroom experience. The suggestions and information from forum members plus many, many Youtube videos helped me immensely. No regrets! and no apologies needed. Heartfelt thanks to all for the help and explanations !
If you're "getting tired of having to explain..." then why are you on here? You don't have to be rude! Many get on this forum for the first time and don't know EXACTLY what information is needed to help those of us who MAY be able to lend a hand! As another commenter stated below, and I agree...some kind of "form card" should be made available for first time poster here that have them put all the numbers for a person's mower on it.Well for what seems like the millionth time we the need real model number from the serial number tag and in this case the engine model and spec numbers. Personally I am getting tired of having try explain to folks that every mower and engine is usually different and have their own set of problems. Posters seems to think every mower and engine are the same. THey are not as complex as automobiles but are still an assembly of different manufactures parts.
Good luck. I purchased the same model in March of 2023. It cranked fine the first couple of times I used it. Then it would spin, but not turn over (bogs the fly wheel down). Took it to a local shop, they changed the starter (took them 8 weeks). Got it back and it lasted a few cuts and same symptom. Took it to another shop that changed the starter, adjusted the valves (kept it a couple of weeks). Went to get on it a week ago, pulled it around front, cut it off and added some gas.... same issue. Changed out the switch, inspected the wiring. One thing that has me confused is my solenoid tests great on the bench, but when I put it back in the mower, it won't click.. I thought I had a valve issue, now I'm wondering if it's a wiring issue.. This will be my last Craftsman purchase, due to the lack of customer service. My last Craftsman lasted 15 years with nothing more than a valve adjustment and oil changes..I'd install new spark plugs. By running it multiple times with the choke on, you've probably gas soaked them causing them not to fire/spark properly.
The gas line is probably rubber. Try to get a neoprene line and it won't do that. Gasoline eats rubber.Take fuel line off at filter and blow a little bit of air into line back to tank. With the gas we have know it eats away at the inside of the hose. Put the fuel line back together and try to start. Look for black spot in your filter if it starts. If it does start, it should run OK.
Be very careful about blowing back into the fuel line into the tank.Take fuel line off at filter and blow a little bit of air into line back to tank. With the gas we have know it eats away at the inside of the hose. Put the fuel line back together and try to start. Look for black spot in your filter if it starts. If it does start, it should run OK.
All the gas that I have used for well over 15 years is 10% ethanol and I also believe the gas has gotten worse and worse over the years as far as quality BUT I have seen no difference in the lifespan of rubber fuel lines.Even testing fuel tanks at a gas station, in my day, we would only pressurize to 5psi! People, understand that you only need a very small burst of air - even a bicycle pump would do it - to clear out a fuel line, regardless of tank size! Also, the black rubber fuel lines won't last more than a couple years - maybe - unless they're made of butyl or poly. A failed fuel line will just about disintegrate in your fingers.
Back in the '70's, when unleaded was first coming out - thank you EPA! - carbs mostly, other fuel retaining systems would have the gaskets and seals harden to a point of uselessness and failure. Even on our fuel tankers, we had to replace the seals with the butyl or better yet, Viton seals. They worked for years and gradually, over many years, the scientists in the petroleum industries came up with an additive for use in the fuels that would stop this problem! Long story short, what you have in your mowers that are 17 - 20 years old are comparatively this "new" technology I've spoken to. I'm glad you have found fuel lines that work well!All the gas that I have used for well over 15 years is 10% ethanol and I also believe the gas has gotten worse and worse over the years as far as quality BUT I have seen no difference in the lifespan of rubber fuel lines.
Now, the clear vinyl ones or the tinted ones etc yellow faster and get brittle more quickly and will break if you so much as touch them and only two to three years now when they used to last 8 or 10 years before doing this but this is not the case on the rubber ones.
I have dozens of mowers here right now that over 17 to 20 years old with their original fuel lines on them.
These have had this gas and whatever else over the decades of their life.
Some of the fuel line is still supple enough that you see no cracks in it and you can squeeze it with your fingers and pinch it off.
Some, of this age, are hard and I wouldn't dare pinch them at all because frankly, they need replaced.
The new fuel lines I have replaced in the past several years are also holding up quite well.
99% of my fuel line is the standard fuel vapor line off the bulk roll from O'Reilly Auto Parts.
I have no complaints with this at all.
My mower was a 2022 model Craftsman T2400. My starter was the first thing they replaced. The one I took off yesterday (2nd starter) was a 2023 and had the model number of 3209810S stamped on it. I watched this video that I will put below and it made me question the starter AGAIN. I ordered the starter in the link below and it fired right up.On your situation, had you have gone to giving it an external fuel source first,
You would have removed the air filter and sprayed a little bit of carb cleaner or a tablespoon of fuel into the intake and then cranked it over.
It would have done one of two things.
It would have either started and continued to run just fine or it would have started and then died after a few seconds.
Then, the proper diagnostic procedure is to repeat this at least three times.
Well - I did this several times...maybe not 3 times in a row (possibly that was my shortfall)...but I got the same result each time...it fired up strong for 2-3 seconds then died. This happened whether I choked it or not. I watched a video on Kevin Caudill's youtube channel about choke adjustment - went out and watched it NOT CLOSE and made the adjustment, It fired and ran a bit rough at first but then started running great. You are correct that maybe I spent money on stuff I did not need - but frankly - this was a hell of learning experience for me - so I have no regrets...it was a $100 classroom experience. The suggestions and information from forum members plus many, many Youtube videos helped me immensely. No regrets! and no apologies needed. Heartfelt thanks to all for the help and explanations !