Hello
I have a Sears Craftsman Eager 1, 6.75 hp, 22 inch self propelled lawn mower (Model 917.377190) which has a problem somewhere in the Tecumseh carb (float type with a metal float bowl at the bottom of it). The Tecumseh carb was rebuilt this Spring by a small engine mechanic, including a thorough cleaning and a new needle and seat. The mechanic said the carb had corrosion and 'gook' in it which he completely cleaned out. After all that was done the mower started up and ran beautifully until recently. Now it will start up but only run for a second or two before dying. By fiddling with it, I've been able to get it going again but the same problem keeps coming back again. When it happened last week, I took off the air filer and the plastic air filter mount on the carb and cleaned the two ports. after doing that, the mower started and ran fine until it quit running the other day after cutting my back yard.
I think I found the area of the problem with the lawn mower. I used a needle nose pliers to try to remove the red rubber primer bulb that has a retainer clip holding it to the side of the Tecumseh carb. As I grabbed hold of the bulb where the retainer clip is, some gas leaked out of the rubber bulb. I didn't take the primer bulb all the way out and had no clue why gas started coming out. Anyway I then pressed the primer several times and the lawn mower started and stayed running. it's running again but I believe the underlying problem still exists and will rear its ugly head again (as it has in the past).
the recurrent fouling problem is in the primer side of the carb and appears to have something to do with that red rubber primer bulb on the Tecumseh carb.
Even though the red rubber primer bulb looks good, can it still be defective and cause these fouling problems? what would cause gasoline to leak out around that red primer bulb when I used a pair of needle nose pliers around the outer edges?
any insight would be appreciated. Thanks. Irish
