Official Craftsman mower attachment parts

Troubleshooting your Craftsman mower attachment when its engine won't start

• When you can't start your mower attachment's engine, make sure the tank has fuel and that the fuel is fresh; stale fuel can become watery and won't ignite well. Tune up the mower's engine to give it the best chance of starting. Check the spark plug and replace it if it's covered with oil or other deposits.
• If your mower attachment engine uses a battery, charge or replace the battery if it won't power the starter to spin the engine. If you have to pull the starter rope to start the engine, replace the recoil starter if it doesn't spin the engine when you pull the rope. Replace the starter rope if it's broken.
• Replace the safety switch or the ignition coil if the spark plug isn't getting current through the ignition system. The engine won't start if you hit a rock or stump and shear off the flywheel key, so replace the flywheel key if it's broken.
• Carburetor problems often prevent a mower engine from starting. Replace or rebuild the carburetor if it's clogged.

What to do when your Craftsman mower attachment's engine runs rough

If your mower attachment engine cuts out, smokes, idles poorly, vibrates or runs erratically, it could need a good tune-up to replace the spark plug, oil and air filter. Or the problem could be with the engine's fuel system. Rebuild or replace the carburetor if the engine isn't getting a good supply of fuel.

If the engine misfires, backfires, sputters or jerks the starter rope out of your hand when you try to start it, the flywheel key could be broken. A broken flywheel key disrupts the ignition timing because the magnets aren't passing the ignition coil in synchronization with piston movement. Replace the flywheel key if it's damaged or broken.