Craftsman 917273401 lawn tractor Parts

For a Craftsman lawn tractor like model 917273401, a full engine replacement typically costs about $800 to $2,500 installed (engine, labor, and incidentals). Labor is usually 4 to 8 hours, and the final price depends on engine type, mounting, and whether pulleys, wiring, or fuel parts also need work.

Engine swaps vary because the job often includes more than “bolt in a new engine.” Common cost factors include:

• Engine brand and horsepower (OEM-style vs. replacement)
• Labor time (rusted fasteners, tight access, wiring condition)
• Extra parts needed (belts, pulleys, fuel line, clamps, battery cables)
• Shop supplies and fluids (oil, filter, fuel filter)
• Diagnosis time (confirming the engine is truly failed)

Many “bad engine” symptoms are caused by starting, fuel, or safety interlock issues. The troubleshooting chart in the 917273401 owner's manual points to several quick checks that can save a major repair:

• Recharge or replace the battery; clean battery terminals
• Check wiring connections and fuses
• Check or replace the ignition switch
• Check or replace the solenoid or starter
• Replace the fuel filter; drain stale fuel and refill with fresh gasoline
• Clean or replace the air filter; replace the spark plug

An engine replacement is one of the highest-cost repairs on a riding mower. Confirming the real failure (starter, solenoid, wiring, fuel delivery, or safety circuits) prevents spending engine-level money on a fix that only needed a tune-up.

Last updated: February 2026

Yes, it’s worth replacing the engine on your Craftsman lawn tractor model 917273401 when the tractor’s deck, chassis, and drivetrain are solid and the total engine swap cost stays well below the cost of replacing the entire mower. If the tractor also needs major deck or transmission work, replacing the mower is usually the better value.

• The mower deck housing is not cracked or badly rusted (a deck shell can be expensive, such as lawn mower housing 548102301).
• The tractor starts, steers, and stops safely; only the engine is the main failure.
• You can complete basic maintenance and troubleshooting steps from the 917273401 owner’s manual.
• The engine replacement cost (engine plus labor) is under about half the price of a comparable new riding mower.
• You want to keep your current attachments and setup (42-in deck, blades, lift system).

Before spending money on an engine, we recommend ruling out common “no start” causes listed in the manual, such as battery, wiring, ignition switch, solenoid/starter, fuel quality, air filter, and spark plug.

An engine swap can extend the life of a good Craftsman chassis for years, but it does not fix underlying deck or drive problems. Confirming the rest of the tractor is in good condition prevents spending engine money on a mower that still won’t cut well or drive reliably.

Last updated: February 2026

For Craftsman lawn tractor model 917273401, the tractor is equipped with an 18.0 HP engine (a low-emission design). For the exact engine manufacturer, model, and service specifications, we use the identification details listed in the 917273401 owner's manual.

Use these quick checks to match the engine correctly before ordering tune-up or fuel-system parts:

• Look for the engine ID label on the engine shroud, valve cover, or blower housing
• Record the engine model, type, and code exactly as printed
• Compare the label info to the engine section in the 917273401 owner's manual
• If the label is dirty, wipe it clean; do not scrape off the printed code
• Match parts by engine ID, not just by tractor model number

Horsepower tells you the performance class, but engine model and code determine the correct spark plug, air filter, fuel filter, and carburetor settings. Using the wrong engine match can cause hard starting, poor power, or uneven running.

If you are troubleshooting instead of just identifying the engine, these are the most common causes we see on riding mowers:

If vibration or cut quality is the issue, inspecting the blade system is a good starting point; for example, check for a bent blade and confirm the correct blade style such as the lawn tractor 42-in deck high-lift blade 532138971 when replacement is needed.

• Park on a level surface and set the parking brake
• Remove the key and let hot parts cool
• Disconnect the spark plug wire before working near rotating parts

Last updated: February 2026

The model number for this Craftsman front-engine lawn tractor is 917.273401 (often written without the dot as 917273401). You can confirm the exact model format and parts breakdowns in the 917273401 owner's manual.

We typically see the model number on an ID label in one of these spots:

• Under the seat pan or seat bracket area
• On the rear fender or fender pan near the seat
• On the frame rail (left or right side)
• Near the engine compartment on the chassis
• On the mower deck housing (sometimes a separate deck tag)

Craftsman tractors can look similar across multiple models (for example, different DYT or LT series variants). A close model number (like 917273820) can point to a different tractor with different chassis, wiring, or deck components.

Using the exact model number ensures you get the right parts for your tractor’s chassis, engine setup, and 42-inch mower deck components. For example, the manual’s mower deck breakdown for model 917.273401 lists compatible blades such as the husqvarna lawn tractor mulching blade, 21-in 532134149 and the lawn tractor 42-in deck high-lift blade 532138971.

Last updated: February 2026

Craftsman model 917273401 was produced in the early-to-mid 2000s era; the exact build year is typically confirmed from the tractor’s product identification label (often under the seat or on the frame) and cross-checked against the model’s documentation in the 917273401 owner's manual.

Use these quick checks on your Craftsman riding mower:

• Look for the model and serial number label under the seat pan, on the rear frame, or near the engine.
• Write down the serial number exactly as shown.
• Compare the serial number format to the identification section in the 917273401 owner's manual.
• If the label is damaged, check for a secondary tag on the chassis or inside the hood area.
• Keep the label info with your maintenance records for future parts lookups.

On many Craftsman tractors, the model number identifies the configuration (deck size, chassis family, engine type), but the serial number carries the production date coding. For model 917273401, the manual confirms the model and major assemblies (chassis, engine, mower deck), but the build year is normally verified from the ID label.

The manual for 917273401 shows common configuration details you can match visually:

If you are replacing deck parts while you confirm the year, matching by model is still reliable. For example, the lawn tractor 42-in deck high-lift blade 532138971 fits the 42-inch deck configuration shown in the manual.

Getting the exact year right helps us match engine parts, wiring, decals, and chassis hardware that can change mid-series, even when the model number stays similar.

Last updated: February 2026