Owner’s manual
View engine
How much does it cost to replace a riding lawn mower engine?
Replacing the engine on a Craftsman riding lawn tractor like model 917272242 typically costs $260 to $1,800 installed, depending on the engine price, any extra parts needed (belts, pulleys, wiring), and labor time (often around 6 hours for a riding mower).
- Engine price: the biggest variable; OEM-style replacements cost more than basic equivalents.
- Labor time: engine swaps on riding tractors take longer because of the drive system, wiring, and controls.
- Related wear parts: a worn belt, idler, or PTO switch can add cost if they are replaced at the same time.
- Shop rates and pickup/delivery: local labor rates and transport fees can change the total quickly.
- Condition of fasteners and mounts: rusted hardware can add time.
If your tractor has drive or engagement issues along with engine problems, these parts are often inspected and sometimes replaced during the job:
- Lawn tractor ground drive belt, 1/2 x 82-in 532140294
- Pto switch 582107601
- Lawn tractor engine pulley 532175417
- Battery cables, fuel line, and mounting hardware (as needed)
| Cost item | Typical range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engine (part only) | $200 to $1,400 | Varies by horsepower, shaft size, and brand compatibility |
| Labor | $200 to $700 | Often based on ~4 to 8 hours total time |
| Extra parts/fluids | $20 to $300 | Belts, pulleys, oil, filter, hardware |
An engine replacement is one of the highest-cost repairs on a riding mower. Checking the drive belt, PTO engagement, and safety interlock operation during the same service helps prevent a “new engine, same problem” situation. For operating and maintenance guidance that can extend engine life, use the owner's manual.
You can order replacement parts for your Craftsman 917272242 from the parts list for this model, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
What kind of oil do you use in a Craftsman lawn tractor?
For the Craftsman lawn tractor model 917272242, we use a high-quality detergent 4-cycle engine oil that meets API service classification SF through SJ, and we choose the SAE viscosity based on the outdoor temperature (the tractor ships with summer-weight oil). For the exact viscosity chart for your climate, use the owner's manual.
Use oil that matches these requirements:
- 4-cycle (4-stroke) engine oil (not 2-cycle oil)
- Detergent oil with API SF-SJ rating
- SAE viscosity selected for your expected operating temperature
- Keep oil at the FULL mark on the dipstick; do not overfill
Most riding mower engines run well on these common choices:
| Typical outdoor temperature | Common SAE choice | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cold weather starts | 5W-30 | Easier starting in cold conditions |
| Moderate to warm weather | SAE 30 | Common “summer weight” option |
| Wide temperature swings | 10W-30 | Good all-around option |
(Your model’s official viscosity chart is in the owner's manual.)
- Park on level ground
- Remove the oil fill cap/dipstick, wipe it clean
- Reinsert dipstick (rest cap on tube, do not thread), then read level
- Add oil to reach FULL; avoid overfilling
- Change engine oil every 50 hours of operation, or at least once a year
- Check oil before starting and after each 8 hours of operation
Correct oil type and viscosity protect the engine from heat and wear, improve cold starting, and help your Craftsman tractor maintain consistent power under load.
If you need maintenance supplies or replacement parts for your tractor, start with the parts list for model 917272242 on this page, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
What are the parts of a tractor engine?
On the Craftsman lawn tractor model 917272242, the engine assembly includes the core internal engine components (crankshaft, pistons, valves, gaskets) plus the external systems that make it run on the tractor, such as the throttle/choke controls, exhaust (muffler and pipes), and fuel tank/cap. For the exact breakdown used on this model, use the 917272242 owner's manual.
These are the components most people mean when they say “engine parts”:
- Cylinder block and cylinder head
- Pistons and piston rings
- Connecting rods and bearings
- Crankshaft
- Valves, valve guides, and valve train components
- Gaskets and seals (for example, exhaust gaskets)
Your 917272242 also uses engine-related parts that are mounted on or connected to the engine:
- Throttle control and choke control (operator controls)
- Exhaust system parts (muffler, left and right exhaust pipes, heat shield)
- Fuel system parts (fuel tank, fuel cap, fuel line)
- Spark arrestor kit (optional equipment on some setups)
| Category | What it includes | What you’ll notice when it fails |
|---|---|---|
| Internal engine parts | Crankshaft, pistons, valves, gaskets | Knocking, low compression, smoke, hard starting |
| External engine systems | Fuel tank/line, muffler/exhaust, throttle/choke controls | Fuel leaks, loud exhaust, poor throttle response, stalling |
Knowing whether you are dealing with an internal engine issue or an external system issue helps you troubleshoot faster. Many “engine problems” on riding mowers are actually fuel delivery, exhaust restriction, or control linkage issues, not a failed crankshaft or piston.
For replacement parts for Craftsman 917272242, start with the parts list for your model; common tractor-related items on this page include the pto switch 582107601 and the lawn tractor ground drive belt, 1/2 x 82-in 532140294. For broader model-based searching, use Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
What engine does Craftsman riding mower use?
For Craftsman lawn tractor model 917272242, the owner’s manual identifies it as a 20.0 HP electric-start riding lawn tractor with a 48-inch mower; the manual does not name a specific engine manufacturer in the excerpt provided. For the exact engine make and model, use the engine ID label on the engine and cross-check it in the 917272242 owner's manual.
Use these quick checks to get the correct engine information for parts, tune-ups, and troubleshooting:
- Look for the engine model/type/code sticker (commonly on the blower housing, valve cover, or near the starter)
- Write down the full engine ID exactly as shown (letters and numbers)
- Match that engine ID to the correct spark plug, air filter, fuel filter, and oil filter
- Confirm your tractor model number is 917272242 (from the tractor frame tag)
- Use the manual’s “Repair Parts” section to confirm tractor-side parts like belts and pulleys
Many Craftsman front-engine lawn tractors of this era were built with single-cylinder or V-twin engines from major small-engine brands. The only model-specific fact we can state from the manual excerpt is the 20.0 HP rating and electric start.
| What you need | Where to find it | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Engine model/type/code | Engine label on the engine | Ensures correct tune-up parts |
| Tractor model number 917272242 | Tractor frame tag | Ensures correct belts, deck parts, and chassis parts |
| Deck size (48-inch) | Manual/spec section | Helps match blades, idlers, and deck hardware |
The engine brand and exact engine model determine the correct maintenance parts and settings (spark plug type/gap, air filter style, oil capacity, and carburetor kit). The tractor model number determines chassis and deck parts such as the ground drive belt and PTO controls.
If the engine runs but the tractor will not move or the deck will not engage, these tractor-side parts are common suspects:
- Pto switch 582107601 (deck engagement electrical control)
- Lawn tractor ground drive belt, 1/2 x 82-in 532140294 (drive system)
- Lawn tractor engine pulley 532175417 (belt drive interface)
To shop the full parts list for model 917272242, you can also search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
What model number is the Craftsman 42 riding mower?
For the Craftsman riding mower covered by this parts list, the model number is 917272242. You can confirm it in the 917272242 owner's manual, where the cover page lists “Model No. 917.272242”.
Check these common ID locations on Craftsman riding mowers and lawn tractors:
- Under the seat on the frame or seat pan
- On the rear fender area near the seat
- On the frame rail near the engine compartment
- On a sticker or metal tag near the transmission area
- In the manual cover and the repair parts sections
“42-inch” describes the cutting width, not a single universal Craftsman model. Multiple Craftsman tractors use a 42-inch deck, so the model tag is the deciding factor.
| What you have | What it tells you | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| 42-inch deck | Narrows the search | Match the model tag to the parts diagrams |
| Model tag shows 917272242 | Exact identification | Use the 917272242 parts list and diagrams |
| Model tag shows a different number | Different tractor build | Look up parts by that exact model number |
Using the exact model number prevents wrong-part returns. Even when two tractors both use a 42-inch deck, items like belts, blades, pulleys, and chassis hardware can differ by production run.
When your ID tag matches 917272242, order from the parts list for this model. Common examples from this model’s catalog include the pto switch 582107601 and the lawn tractor ground drive belt, 1/2 x 82-in 532140294. For other models, search by the full model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
