Lawn Mower won't prime/start cold

NYSpeed Automotive NYSpeed Off Topic
1

Figured I would ask here first before looking for a small engine repair forum.

I have a Craftsman 5hp 21" Eager-1 lawnmower with I believe a tecumseh motor. It has always ran and started for me after being stored all winter. This year it would now start. I took the float bowl off and cleaned everything out and it still would not start.

Let it sit overnight and tried it again, no start. Sprayed a little bit of B12 Chemtool into the intake, and it turned over and ran fine. Mowed the lawn for about 3 hours, including shutting it down 3-4 times to move stuff out of the way and it started fine each time.

The next day I went to start it again and it would not start. Sprayed a little bit into the intake again, and it fired right up and ran fine. I did later that evening after sitting 8 hrs and the same results.

I am pressing the primer bulb 2-3 times before trying to start it each time, but it seems like it might not actually be priming the mower. Would this indicate that I need a new primer bulb, or is something else needed?

2

could be a bad bulb … ive seen it tons of times … try pressing it like 10 times

3

^ that happens often… It usually is gas building up in the carb over winter… Usually doing a full clean of it will make it like new.

4

Get some Seafoam and run it through the gas until it’s smoking white clouds of awesomeness. Pull apart the carbs, clean them up good and reassemble. Check the primer bulb for any leaks, including the fuel line to and from it.

5

On mine the hose running from the tank to the primer bulb would dry rot slightly not allowing a suction when pressung the bulb. It may looke fine but have a little crack you might not be able to see.

6

^this.

7

pretty sure on tecumseh engines the primer bulb is right on the carb. usually when those engines get old u have to hit the primer like 20 times to get it fire up

8

X35. I had this problem last year. Replaced the primer bulb and I was good to go