We bought a used Craftsman self-propelled mower from a very nice gentleman who said he had the mower serviced within the past year professionally. He knocked the price down himself because the when he started it before we arrived he noticed it was surging. Well, for $70, we weren't too worried.
Model is 917.372840, bought in 1995 (whoa!). It looked in pretty good condition for its age.
Okay, so the first time or two it worked pretty well. Yes, it surged, but still got the job done.
This weekend, DH got it out to mow but couldn't get it started. Today I gave it a try, got it started, it surged, grass was too long so it stalled a couple of times. Shortened my mow width. Then, it died and I had trouble starting it. Noticed the pull cord didn't want to retract speedily as it had, as if the spring is sprung. If I fed it in, helped it along, it would retract all the way and allow me a strong enough pull to start it.
I started it in slow mode (I just read you're supposed to start it in "fast"), and the idle speed was consistent, but when I switch it to fast, that's when it would surge. But now, it would stall every time I put it in fast. I primed it, was able to start in slow, and again it would stall in fast. If I held the primer bulb in while in "fast," before it stalled, it would rev up strong. The primer bulb rubber appears to be cracked. I'm wondering if the bulb has just aged out and can't hold the seal it needs to keep the gas flowing (?).
So, two issues - the starter spring and the primer bulb. I've replaced a spring in another mower, no fun, but this thing isn't worth the money to take to a pro for repairs. On the parts list, I see only the carb - is the bulb part of the carb assembly as one part? I assume the carb was cleaned before, but might that be why it is surging?
Sorry so long!
Betsy
Model is 917.372840, bought in 1995 (whoa!). It looked in pretty good condition for its age.
Okay, so the first time or two it worked pretty well. Yes, it surged, but still got the job done.
This weekend, DH got it out to mow but couldn't get it started. Today I gave it a try, got it started, it surged, grass was too long so it stalled a couple of times. Shortened my mow width. Then, it died and I had trouble starting it. Noticed the pull cord didn't want to retract speedily as it had, as if the spring is sprung. If I fed it in, helped it along, it would retract all the way and allow me a strong enough pull to start it.
I started it in slow mode (I just read you're supposed to start it in "fast"), and the idle speed was consistent, but when I switch it to fast, that's when it would surge. But now, it would stall every time I put it in fast. I primed it, was able to start in slow, and again it would stall in fast. If I held the primer bulb in while in "fast," before it stalled, it would rev up strong. The primer bulb rubber appears to be cracked. I'm wondering if the bulb has just aged out and can't hold the seal it needs to keep the gas flowing (?).
So, two issues - the starter spring and the primer bulb. I've replaced a spring in another mower, no fun, but this thing isn't worth the money to take to a pro for repairs. On the parts list, I see only the carb - is the bulb part of the carb assembly as one part? I assume the carb was cleaned before, but might that be why it is surging?
Sorry so long!
Betsy