help needed! Craftsman II 38" 12.5 HP model 917.254791 won't start

[ryanhaws]

Hello everybody. I'm Ryan. I'd really appreciate your help. My old craftsman II riding mower hasn't started run since last year. It stopped working last summer and I just parked it until today when I decided it's time to get this thing working again. Last year when I tried to start it gas was leaking unto the ground.

When I started troubleshooting today I noticed the oil was very smelly like gas. I went ahead and changed the oil. I also checked that the spark plug sparks. I removed the carburetor and took it apart. It was very dirty inside. I cleaned and reassembled it. The mower still doesn't start. Do I need to spray carb cleaner into the carburetor? Should I replace the carburetor?

 

[Scrubcadet10]

If the oil smells like gas, the needle has failed in the Carburetor. Cleaning might fix it, might. But most likely you'll need to purchase a carburetor rebuild kit, or take you chances with a scAmazon carb...

 

[ryanhaws]

Thanks. Would you be so kind as to provide me with the links to the parts for both options. I'm having difficulty. The carb is part # 632490. Thank you!

This might be a match, but it doesn't list the part # of 632490 in the body of the listing. Just in the header.

Amazon.com: XLYZE Carburetor for Tecumseh 632490 632518 632627 632650 632679 632684 632774 TVS90 TVS100 ECV100 TVS120 TVS105 TVS115 TVXL115 TVXL90 Carb : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com: XLYZE Carburetor for Tecumseh 632490 632518 632627 632650 632679 632684 632774 TVS90 TVS100 ECV100 TVS120 TVS105 TVS115 TVXL115 TVXL90 Carb : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

 

[ryanhaws]

My "bad" carb has two link rods. One to the choke and one to the governor (I believe). How come the replacement part appears that it only using 1 linkage rod?

Carburetor For Tecumseh 632774 632518 632490 632650 632679 632684 632518 632627 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Carburetor For Tecumseh 632774 632518 632490 632650 632679 632684 632518 632627 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[Scrubcadet10]

That part number was superseded to 632774

Amazon.com: Tecumseh 632774 Lawn & Garden Equipment Engine Carburetor Genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) part : Automotive

Buy Tecumseh 632774 Lawn & Garden Equipment Engine Carburetor Genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) part: Rebuild Kits - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

This is the cheapest OEM I could find, I didn't see any Chinese knockoffs.
I'll need The engine Model number to find a rebuild kit, unless one of The Techs on here can use The carb part number to find one.

EDIT: https://www.partstree.com/parts/tecumseh-631021/

 

[Richie F]

Correct me if I'm wrong.
The engine looks to a Briggs.

 

[upupandaway]

If you have no luck finding a whole carb, you can also just replace the carb needle and seat: Needle and seat
This is your cause of the fuel leaking(assuming the float moves freely up and down).
That's strange how the carb lookup pulled up a push mower carb. This one uses a larger carb than that from what I recall.

 

[ryanhaws]

That part number was superseded to 632774

Amazon.com: Tecumseh 632774 Lawn & Garden Equipment Engine Carburetor Genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) part : Automotive

Buy Tecumseh 632774 Lawn & Garden Equipment Engine Carburetor Genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) part: Rebuild Kits - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

This is the cheapest OEM I could find, I didn't see any Chinese knockoffs.
I'll need The engine Model number to find a rebuild kit, unless one of The Techs on here can use The carb part number to find one.

EDIT: https://www.partstree.com/parts/tecumseh-631021/

Thank you. I'm gonna give the repair a try!