Hi All,
I have been having trouble with my 2004 Craftsman 4.5 hp push mower (model number 917.388630), with a Tecumseh engine. This summer, it has started well, but when I get into any amount of grass, it loses power and stalls. This is a new issue...hasn't happened before.
I went ahead and removed the carb and cleaned it out in the ultrasonic cleaner. The original carb looked quite clean inside even prior to cleaning, I noted. I also noted that the needle seat was not in great shape, so I replaced it. Upon reassembling the mower, the carb proceeded to overflow without mercy...and I did place the seat in the correct orientation. Even after pulling the carb apart again and rechecking the float, needle, and seat, it still flooded itself out.
So...I went and found a replacement carb on Amazon. I just installed it this afternoon, and while the carb no longer floods itself out, the lack of power still exists. It will idle fine, but proceeds to bog down under the load of cutting even the smallest amount of grass.
I am using fresh fuel, 93 octane, without ethanol in it. The air filter is new, the spark plug is new, and the carb is new.
I did notice it ran better without the old air filter installed, so that is what led me to replace it.
The mower in question is the green one on the left in the pic below.
Part of me is wondering if it is just getting worn out...it is 15 years old, after all! Though I realize folks on here are using much older mowers without issue. At this point, I just needed to step away and seek help, as it was getting too frustrating.
Thoughts, comments, and suggestions are greatly appreciated!
I have been having trouble with my 2004 Craftsman 4.5 hp push mower (model number 917.388630), with a Tecumseh engine. This summer, it has started well, but when I get into any amount of grass, it loses power and stalls. This is a new issue...hasn't happened before.
I went ahead and removed the carb and cleaned it out in the ultrasonic cleaner. The original carb looked quite clean inside even prior to cleaning, I noted. I also noted that the needle seat was not in great shape, so I replaced it. Upon reassembling the mower, the carb proceeded to overflow without mercy...and I did place the seat in the correct orientation. Even after pulling the carb apart again and rechecking the float, needle, and seat, it still flooded itself out.
So...I went and found a replacement carb on Amazon. I just installed it this afternoon, and while the carb no longer floods itself out, the lack of power still exists. It will idle fine, but proceeds to bog down under the load of cutting even the smallest amount of grass.
I am using fresh fuel, 93 octane, without ethanol in it. The air filter is new, the spark plug is new, and the carb is new.
I did notice it ran better without the old air filter installed, so that is what led me to replace it.
The mower in question is the green one on the left in the pic below.
Part of me is wondering if it is just getting worn out...it is 15 years old, after all! Though I realize folks on here are using much older mowers without issue. At this point, I just needed to step away and seek help, as it was getting too frustrating.
Thoughts, comments, and suggestions are greatly appreciated!