Craftsman Lawn Mower Problems

[cover]

I have a Craftsman Eager series self propelled mower that my son used
in the neighborhood to make a few bucks mowing lawns until it suddenly
developed a problem and I can't tell if it's a gas problem or a timing
problem which leads to the following questions...

Do lawn mowers have a proper 'timing' adjustment? The reason I ask is
because when it ran, it seemed to be having a timing issue - misfiring
and such as it barely ran following the problem surfacing.

How does a person determine if the coil is creating the problem? I
assume that with an ohm-meter, one can tell if the primary is OK but
how about the secondary part of the ignition? I held the spark plug
cable and gently pulled the start cord but couldn't feel much 'zap'
but notably, some was there.

I think this might be down to the ignition system side or perhaps even
the carb (filthy air cleaner I pulled off that may have allowed dust
through) and really don't want to just keep throwing money into it if
the money would be better spent on another mower but obviously, would
like to save it if I can.

Does the magneto (or coil) have a surface that can be cleaned (air gap
with the flywheel) to help the spark issue ???

Would appreciate any pointers from any lawn mower mechanics to help me
decide again, if I should just dump it and buy another one... It's a
7hp motor on approx a 3 year old walk behind, self propelled mower.
TIA for any feedback...

[Edgar]

"cover" <coverland914 @ yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:l19pc1lpq92sia38den01rd5bi253007kg@4ax.com...
> I have a Craftsman Eager series self propelled mower that my son used
> in the neighborhood to make a few bucks mowing lawns until it suddenly
> developed a problem and I can't tell if it's a gas problem or a timing
> problem which leads to the following questions...
>
> Do lawn mowers have a proper 'timing' adjustment?

If he hit something it could have sheared the key and it will have a timing
issue.

[Ron Tock]

cover wrote:

> I have a Craftsman Eager series self propelled mower that my son used
> in the neighborhood to make a few bucks mowing lawns until it suddenly
> developed a problem and I can't tell if it's a gas problem or a timing
> problem which leads to the following questions...
>
> Do lawn mowers have a proper 'timing' adjustment? The reason I ask is
> because when it ran, it seemed to be having a timing issue - misfiring
> and such as it barely ran following the problem surfacing.
>
> How does a person determine if the coil is creating the problem? I
> assume that with an ohm-meter, one can tell if the primary is OK but
> how about the secondary part of the ignition? I held the spark plug
> cable and gently pulled the start cord but couldn't feel much 'zap'
> but notably, some was there.
>
> I think this might be down to the ignition system side or perhaps even
> the carb (filthy air cleaner I pulled off that may have allowed dust
> through) and really don't want to just keep throwing money into it if
> the money would be better spent on another mower but obviously, would
> like to save it if I can.
>
> Does the magneto (or coil) have a surface that can be cleaned (air gap
> with the flywheel) to help the spark issue ???
>
> Would appreciate any pointers from any lawn mower mechanics to help me
> decide again, if I should just dump it and buy another one... It's a
> 7hp motor on approx a 3 year old walk behind, self propelled mower.
> TIA for any feedback...
>
>

I assume that it's a breakerless ignition? If not, check the point gap.

[cover]

On Wed, 06 Jul 2005 20:55:00 -0700, cover <coverland914 @ yahoo.com>
wrote:

In removing the top cover, it appears that the spark plug wire goes to
a simple coil looking assembly. Doesn't *appear* to be anything more
than a coil (magneto transformer assembly ???). Looks like it would
be a 'fixed' timing type affair and can't see anything that resembles
a distributor cap that may remove to show a points system for ignition
dwell. I'm a newbie at this with lawnmowers and may be missing
something. Just trying to report in from the field with observations
so feel free to jump in here anywhere to correct me... :-)

[MrC1]

If the key is sheared it will not run.


"Edgar" <EdgarRumadorm@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:11cpc8r9uf311bc@corp.supernews.com...
>
> "cover" <coverland914 @ yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:l19pc1lpq92sia38den01rd5bi253007kg@4ax.com...
> > I have a Craftsman Eager series self propelled mower that my son used
> > in the neighborhood to make a few bucks mowing lawns until it suddenly
> > developed a problem and I can't tell if it's a gas problem or a timing
> > problem which leads to the following questions...
> >
> > Do lawn mowers have a proper 'timing' adjustment?
>
> If he hit something it could have sheared the key and it will have a
timing
> issue.
>
>

[ds549@webtv.net]

spray a shot of starting fluid in the carb, if it runs on that ,then
you have a fuel supply problem.there is a small passage in the bowl nut
that gets dirt in it. if it doesnt run on the starting fluid, take out
the plug and lay it on the engine while connected to the plug wire.
crank the engine over to see if it sparks,if it does , coil is good.
then procede to take off sheetmetal to get to flywheel to see if
flywheel key is sheared, if so , remove flywheel and replace key. ant
tecumseh dealer wil have the new key. then reassemble.

[Pagan]

"cover" <coverland914 @ yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:l19pc1lpq92sia38den01rd5bi253007kg@4ax.com...
> I have a Craftsman Eager series self propelled mower that my son used
> in the neighborhood to make a few bucks mowing lawns until it suddenly
> developed a problem and I can't tell if it's a gas problem or a timing
> problem which leads to the following questions...
>
> Do lawn mowers have a proper 'timing' adjustment? The reason I ask is
> because when it ran, it seemed to be having a timing issue - misfiring
> and such as it barely ran following the problem surfacing.
>
> How does a person determine if the coil is creating the problem? I
> assume that with an ohm-meter, one can tell if the primary is OK but
> how about the secondary part of the ignition? I held the spark plug
> cable and gently pulled the start cord but couldn't feel much 'zap'
> but notably, some was there.
>
> I think this might be down to the ignition system side or perhaps even
> the carb (filthy air cleaner I pulled off that may have allowed dust
> through) and really don't want to just keep throwing money into it if
> the money would be better spent on another mower but obviously, would
> like to save it if I can.

I'm assuming you replaced the air cleaner. Have you replaced the spark
plug? Gave the engine a good cleaning? Tried newer gas? You won't spend
more than a few bucks for all this, and from what little I know, these
things are the main causes of mower problems.

It's wise of you to have your son learn how to make money. I wish the kids
in my neighborhood would start mowing lawns and making themselves useful,
instead of 'hanging out', which they do seem quite good at.

Anyway, this might be a good time to teach your son the economics of running
a business, a fancy way to say "get it fixed, son." ;-)

Pagan

> Does the magneto (or coil) have a surface that can be cleaned (air gap
> with the flywheel) to help the spark issue ???
>
> Would appreciate any pointers from any lawn mower mechanics to help me
> decide again, if I should just dump it and buy another one... It's a
> 7hp motor on approx a 3 year old walk behind, self propelled mower.
> TIA for any feedback...
>
>

[FDR]

<ds549@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:21514-42CD3A8D-12@storefull-3254.bay.webtv.net...
> spray a shot of starting fluid in the carb, if it runs on that ,then
> you have a fuel supply problem.there is a small passage in the bowl nut
> that gets dirt in it. if it doesnt run on the starting fluid, take out
> the plug and lay it on the engine while connected to the plug wire.

And of course, make sure the threaded portion makes contact with the metal
of the chassis.


> crank the engine over to see if it sparks,if it does , coil is good.
> then procede to take off sheetmetal to get to flywheel to see if
> flywheel key is sheared, if so , remove flywheel and replace key. ant
> tecumseh dealer wil have the new key. then reassemble.
>