My Craftsman 4.5 HP push mower isn't getting fuel. I can prime the carb and it will run until the prime is consumed then quits.
A brief history:
I mowed one week and put the mower away. Got it out the following week and it wouldn't fire at all. As the mower is about 10yrs old and I've never had to replace the spark plug I thought that was my problem. Replaced the plug but it didn't help. At that point I pulled the fuel bowl off the carb to check and clean the main jets but still no luck. I then removed the carb and cleaned with carb cleaner (spray) as best I could and blew out with compressed air. Replaced the carb but still wouldn't start. It was at this point I began to "prime" the carb to get it started but it wouldn't run beyond the prime. While I had the carb off I noticed several "welch" plugs in the carb and I figured there was some dirt under one of them keeping it from running as it should. I ordered a rebuild kit, removing and cleaning under the welch plugs both with spray carb cleaner, thin wire and compressed air thinking surely it would run now. NOPE!
I'm at a loss except for one discovery. This carb, a Tecumseh has a primer bulb that I noticed has cracked at the very base. Could it be that this is allowing a vacuum leak not allowing the carb to draw the fuel as it should? If this is my problem can it be replaced?
A brief history:
I mowed one week and put the mower away. Got it out the following week and it wouldn't fire at all. As the mower is about 10yrs old and I've never had to replace the spark plug I thought that was my problem. Replaced the plug but it didn't help. At that point I pulled the fuel bowl off the carb to check and clean the main jets but still no luck. I then removed the carb and cleaned with carb cleaner (spray) as best I could and blew out with compressed air. Replaced the carb but still wouldn't start. It was at this point I began to "prime" the carb to get it started but it wouldn't run beyond the prime. While I had the carb off I noticed several "welch" plugs in the carb and I figured there was some dirt under one of them keeping it from running as it should. I ordered a rebuild kit, removing and cleaning under the welch plugs both with spray carb cleaner, thin wire and compressed air thinking surely it would run now. NOPE!
I'm at a loss except for one discovery. This carb, a Tecumseh has a primer bulb that I noticed has cracked at the very base. Could it be that this is allowing a vacuum leak not allowing the carb to draw the fuel as it should? If this is my problem can it be replaced?
