Craftsman lawn tractor with Kohler 17hp motor?

Question

I own a craftsman lawn tractor 42" cut with a Kohler 17hp motor. Yes it is old but well maintained. yesterday while mowing my yard the motor just stopped running. No odd noise, no smoke, no knocking or anything. It did make a sound like running out of gas just before shutting off but my tank is 3/4 full. Also before the season started I changed spark plug, air filter and oil, (I can't recall when I changed the fuel filter and or if that could cause a restriction to stop motor from running.) Also I had just filled it up with gas before mowing and got about half of my property mowed. My property is 3/4 of an acre and this lawn tractor has handled it all these years with no issues.

If there is a Craftsman or small engine tech out there that could point me in the right direction of what to check, ie.. magneto? coil? or something minor or cheap to try before I load and haul to a repair center would be appreciated.

please do not reply unless your a small engine tech or Craftsman tech. thanks

Jp1204 · Accepted Answer

Check wire going to carb. its a fuel solenoid inside carb. wire might have unplugged.

Redneck Texan · Answer

When you try to start it, exactly what happens, does it spin,  does it even try to start?  If you have the owners diagram you can check out the safety switches pretty easy, if you don't then go to searsparts.com and get one.  I always go to the most simple things first,  new spark plug and new fuel filter,and new fuel.  That means completely draining the tank of all the old stuff.  I have found that on my mower the only way to completely drain it is to take it off the mower.   If it spins then it is not likely anything in the battery, switch or starter area.  My 19 1/2 horse occasionally starts coughing like it is gonna quit and I have narrowed it down to the carburetor, being lazy and stubborn so far all I have done is spray the carb with cleaner,  If or when It finally quits, I have a new carburetor for it.  I have found that it does not cost very much for a new one and is a heck of a lot easier and more reliable to replace it then taking it apart and trying to clean out all the tiny holes and passages.

Anonymous · Answer

Check for spark on plug first.If no spark change plug and check for dirty points .But it sounds like you have to take the bowl off the carburetor and clean the water (from sweating) and trash out of the bowl.This did not come through your filter...its probably O.K.

acres12 · Answer

In addition to the above

check your seat and other safety wiring/switches

sometimes they get grounded out and the machine won't work,

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Craftsman lawn tractor with Kohler 17hp motor?

4 Answers