Sears Craftsman II 14hp 38' Model 917: Blue Smoke, No Gear Go

14 years ago

I bought a used Sears Craftsman II 14hp 38" Lawn Tractor from an old farmer for $200. Got it home, started right up, ran great. Cut thick tall grass for an hour, then got bogged down in one spot, blew blue smoke, finally quit engaging gears. Motor ran good as ever, but put clutch in and tried to shift gears, got butkus. No 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, reverse. Nothing. Saw fan belt zipping around. I'm a mechanical knucklehead. No idea what it could be. My gf is having kittens (her house, her purchase) so I need to save the day. I'm praying it is something basic and simple to remedy. Please come to my aid. God bless.

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Comments (6)

corvetteguy
14 years ago
If it were me I would lower the deck all the
way down. MOTOR OFF
and look under the machine to the top belt.
Check that the belt is under each of the
belt keepers (not over them).
Check that it is tight around the large transmission
pulley and not frayed.
rcmoser
14 years ago
My guess is you burnt up the drive belt it won't release from the engine therefore making it hard or impossible to shift between gears.
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With all things considered, the op may do well with a shiny new penny. As far as steering repair on these, I always recommend installing a new sector kit. 167903 is the pre-built sector. Off the deck comes, the drag link end, the steering wheel and adapter, the fuel tank gets moved aside- plus4 bolts and the sector finds its way out. The part is ~ 80$. The drag link itself should be inspected and replaced if the joints are sloppy and may pull apart, Of course, that adds ~ 50$ to the bill.You will want to know too that the upper steering bushing has its mounting screws in place yet . The crosslink that runs between the two axle spindles can bend and create a poor steering response too, so have a look at that to ensure it is straight. While you can pull the sector and replace the plastic support for $10. I never do as it seems that the rest also has enough wear once problems develop- that skipping can still occur or it will come back soon enough to bite you.
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fieryfro
Original Author
14 years ago
Again, I no know mechanics. Lowered deck and saw only one belt, not top or bottom. It seems to be wound correctly (under the belt keepers) however there's a lot of slack, almost two inches. Feels very loose. Please explain how to tighten it if this is the cause of the gears not engaging. How did it go from operating well to loosey goosey?
gomo
14 years ago
"Nothing runs like a Deere!"...That said, look for a metal lever around the deck that could be the "belt tension". Release the lever and be sure that the belt is secure around all pulley's, etc. Re-engage the tension and see what happens. Of course, do all of this w/the deck dropped to the ground. Good luck.
fieryfro
Original Author
14 years ago
Thanks all. Had mechanic buddy check it briefly. Said the belts are fine. Need to put quart of gear oil in. Probably burnt it up trying to mow tall grass and that accounts for thick coughs of blue smoke. He thinks it takes 90 weight gear oil but I should check. Anyone know? Also what's the easiest way to get to fill-up spot? He suggested removing the back cover beneath the seat, bolts on both sides. Suggested in the future I mow tall grass twice (or more), deck raised up all the way then subsequently lowered. Makes sense. Guess I'm learning. Thanks for your suggestions everyone! I'll let you know if it works and my gf lets me out o the doghouse....
rcmoser
14 years ago
Where was the the blue smoke coming from? the engine, under the deck, or the rearend? The transmission (rearend) is probably a splicer. The one I got is a sealed unit. so servicing not going to be easy plus if it leaked out you will have the leak to deal with also. I would download a manual from sears to find out what oil (or grease)goes in the the transmission.

usually tht model of transmission is gears connected with a chain inside the two half housing. The drive belt from the engine to the transmission can or starts to slip, smoke, streching, and causing clutch release problems which will in turn cause shifting dificulity cause the pulling connected to the rear end is still turning.

I would make sure the drive belt has good tension and not burnt up with the clutch released before I would attempt to regrease the transmission, plus it the transmission leaked all the grease out there should be evidents of this under the rearend???

Sears Craftsman II 14hp 38' Model 917: Blue Smoke, No Gear Go

Comments (6)

corvetteguy

rcmoser

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Sears Craftsman II 14hp 38' Model 917: Blue Smoke, No Gear Go

Comments (6)

corvetteguy

rcmoser

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gomo

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