hilmav, Bless you. WE have a relatively new lawnmower and were having a hell of a time keeping it going. We had it serviced several months ago and it worked okay for a couple of months...Today it started and stopped... I was frustrated as I had no idea how to clean the carburetor etc as most people recommended (I also didn't have the tools to do it.) I tried the prime while motor running and eventually it began to stay going and running smoothly. I have a postage sized lawn and is newly mown and a solution to what has been an ongoing issue. THANK YOU

I guess I'm the Dad in this case! I do remember having an el cheapo power mower (person propelled) when I was a kid (red and perhaps Western Auto) and using it for everything - a field at the rear of the house comes to mind... one day it was 3 feet high, the next it was "lawn". Anyway, everyone is always dumping on Craftsman tools and power equipment. I'm still using my Craftsman Eager One, 5HP, Tecumseh engine, that I purchased in 1984. I don't recall it ever failing to start except when the switch I installed to replace the dead-man handle died. It smokes, uses oil, but still cuts better than my $500 Troy-Bilt. At the beginning of the summer, I ran over a rock and bent the blade so that it was actually digging into the ground. Had to replace the blade plate and blade, but didn't faze the crankshaft or the upper crankshaft shear pins. The only maintenance I've ever done is occasionally replace the air filter, less occasionally replace the spark plug (do clean it annually), and change the oil. I think it is coming to the end of its long life and really hate the thought of getting rid of it. It really needs a total engine rebuild (chassis, etc. is still fine - no rust but lots of scrapes), but I just don't have the abilities. JimC

Bought used riding mower w/ engine trouble. 21 hp intek plus b&s (could not determine model etc on engine, shroud, inside of hood). Craftsman 2000 42". Will crank in choke but only for 10-15 secs. Will not run out of choke. Tried everything me and 3 neighbors could think of. Today I did comp test w/ only 30psi....should be around 120 on 3 yr old engine. What should I do to fix the compression problem?

Update: I changed the fuel and air filters. The fuel seemed to flow fine when pulling the old filter, so I don't think that was it. The air filter looked somewhat dirty, but not too awful. When I mowed again I made it through the whole yard stalling 3 times. 1st it was out of gas, so that doesn't really count, but it restarted fine. 2nd was when I was almost done, but it did restart. 3rd was right after I finished and it wouldn't restart, so I just put it away. Maybe the air filter helped some, but I kinda think the seafoam is clearing out the carbon and helping the most. Maybe it'll keep getting better and won't need to be opened up. If I pull and clean out the carb what gaskets am I going to need? Same will pulling the valve cover and the head. I'd like to get them before starting the job. And it is an L-head engine, I guess the type number is wrong. Thanks for all the help.