Craftsman mower gas leaks into air filter

Hi Edward: Try this; Remove air filter from carb. Toss in a thimble full of gas. Start. That bit of prime should do it. You may need to repeat. My Craftsman has needed this for cold starts ever since new

could be the priming bulb gasket between the air-filter assy. and the carb.
I have the same lawnmower and if I prime with gas from a can it will start but stop after a few seconds. When I push the bulb I can hear air leaking in this area. You can replace the gasket by removing the back half of the air-filter assembly. I am looking to buy a gasket today I let you know how it works out! Thanks Ron

First, take the air filter off and spray a shot of carb cleaner/ starting fluid in the carb. If it starts for a second and runs on the prime then its a fuel issue. Check fuel filter, fuel delivery, and carb.

I cleaned the carburetor with a brush and took off the bowl and cleaned the bolt holes. Then sprayed it down with starting fluid.

I posted same problem as this couple days ago. Took mower to shop. The governor spring (located just under the air filter) had come off. So glad it was something so minor!

No fuel filter but there is the air filter. Try removing the air filter and starting the mower. If this works replace the air filter. If not, then check the engine's carb. Engine was made by Tecumseh. There aren't many parts to a Tecumseh carb so replacing the few parts (gasket around bowl, float, needle and seat) isn't a lot of trouble.

No problem. If you found this helpful - a FixYa rating is appreciated for answering your FREE question.

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It means that either not enough gas is getting into the engine. The gas you pump in when you prime is enough to start the engine but not to keep it going.


There could be several things that cause this.
1. Old fuel:
Solution: Replace the fuel. Dump out the old stuff. If it is a year old it won;t work.

2. A dirty carburetor:
Solution: Clean the carburetor.
Easy carb clean:
Pull the bowl off and use carb cleaning solution to clean it. (you can buy carb cleaning solution a Wal-Mart in the automotive section. I have also heard acetone will work but I have not tried it.) Make sure not to loose the little parts like the pin.

Better carb clean:
pull the carb off the machine and clean each part with carb cleaner. There is a youtube video someone else posted on how to do this.

3. Your gas/air flow is not adjusted properly.
To check:
Pull off or out the air filter. Try to start it.
Solution:
If the machine runs longer there are two options: The air filter is dirty so replace it, or the air flow is not adjusted proberly. There should be a screw like thing sometimes called the "main jet" that you turn to adjust the air flow. It is on the carburetor side or bottom.
If the machine dies faster or won't start there is probably too much air flow and by removing the filter you added more air. Adjust the "Main Jet" as above.

You need a full tuneup which means after the spark plug you need to do all of these and you will have a good running mower.
Drain gas tank.
Take carburetor off and clean it.
Pull the top off the engine and clean the flywhee maginets and the coil face with a small wire brush of emery cloth.
Clean screen in gas tank if there is one.
Fuel filter if the is one.
Be sure to check for a good spark after all this is done.
If this is all done you should have a good running mower.
donnyb60