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

Tecumseh Engine Type#: OVXL120-202031C To 202212B.

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That part number was superseded to 632774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!