What gas do I put in a Craftsman lawn mower?
For the Craftsman CMXGMAM7815137 gas lawn mower, use clean, fresh, unleaded gasoline with a minimum 87 octane (87 AKI). Gasoline blended with up to 10% ethanol (E10) is the safe, common choice for most walk-behind mowers.
Fuel type we recommend
- Unleaded gasoline
- 87 octane (87 AKI) or higher
- Up to 10% ethanol (E10) is acceptable
- Avoid old fuel; buy only what you will use in about 30 days
- Use a fuel stabilizer if the mower will sit more than 30 days
What to avoid (common causes of hard starting)
- Fuel older than 30 days (especially in warm weather)
- Higher-ethanol blends (often labeled E15 or E85)
- Gas mixed with water or stored in an unsealed container
- Filling the tank to the very top (leave a little expansion space)
Quick troubleshooting if it will not start after refueling
- Confirm the fuel cap vents properly; a clogged vent can restrict fuel flow
- Check the air filter; a dirty filter can make the engine run rich and stall (see filter 799579)
- Drain the tank and carburetor bowl (if equipped) and refill with fresh 87 octane
- Inspect the spark plug condition and gap (replace if fouled)
Fuel guidance at a glance
| Situation | Best choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Regular weekly mowing | Fresh 87 octane unleaded (E10 max) | Reliable starting and normal power |
| Mower stored 30+ days | Fresh fuel plus stabilizer | Helps prevent varnish and gum deposits |
| Hard starting after storage | Drain old fuel, refill fresh | Old fuel is the most common cause |
Why it matters
Using fresh, correct-octane fuel helps prevent carburetor varnish, surging, and no-start problems. It also reduces strain on engine components and keeps your Craftsman mower cutting consistently.
Last updated: January 2026
What year is my Craftsman mower serial number lookup?
For a Craftsman CMXGMAM7815137 gas walk-behind mower, the model number alone does not tell the build year; you typically determine the year by decoding the serial number format used on the ID tag. Many Craftsman and MTD-built mowers use a date-coded serial where groups of digits represent month, day, and year.
How to find the serial number on your mower
Look for the ID tag or sticker in these common spots:
- Rear of the deck near the discharge opening or rear door
- Top of the deck near the engine mounting area
- On the handle bracket or height-adjuster area
- Near the rear wheels or rear skirt area
How serial number date codes are commonly formatted
A very common pattern is a 6-digit date code:
- First 2 digits = month (01 to 12)
- Next 2 digits = day (01 to 31)
- Last 2 digits = year (for example, 11 = 2011)
Example (how the math works)
If your serial begins with 072811, that decodes to:
| Digits | Meaning | Example value |
|---|---|---|
| 07 | Month | July |
| 28 | Day | 28 |
| 11 | Year | 2011 |
Quick checks to confirm you decoded it correctly
Use these checks so you do not misread a different serial format:
- The “month” portion should be 01 through 12
- The “day” portion should be 01 through 31
- The date should make sense for the mower’s age and condition
- If the serial includes letters, the date may be embedded differently
Why it matters
Knowing the build year helps us match the correct Craftsman walk-behind mower parts (blade, blade adapter, wheels, zone control cable, bagging parts) because manufacturers sometimes change deck and handle designs mid-series.
Related parts that often vary by production run
If you are ordering parts, confirm your full model and serial first, especially for:
- Lawn mower grass bag 664P05322A
- Engine maintenance items like the air filter and fuel cap
Last updated: January 2026
Where is Craftsman's model number?
On the Craftsman gas walk-behind mower model CMXGMAM7815137, the model number is typically printed on a sticker or metal tag on the mower deck or rear housing, not stamped into the engine. Use the mower’s model number for parts lookups; use the engine numbers only for engine-specific parts.
Common places to check on a walk-behind mower
Look in these spots first (wipe dirt and grass off the surface so the label is readable):
- Top of the mower deck near the engine mounting area
- Rear of the deck near the bagging door or rear discharge opening
- Side of the deck near the height-adjuster brackets
- Behind the engine, near the handle mounting points
- On the rear skirt area (near where the bag or discharge chute attaches)
Mower model number vs. engine model number
Both can matter, but they are used for different things.
| What you’re identifying | Where it’s found | What it’s used for |
|---|---|---|
| Mower model number (CMXGMAM7815137) | Deck or rear housing label/tag | Deck parts, wheels, cables, bagging and discharge parts |
| Engine model/type/code | Stamped or labeled on the engine | Engine tune-up parts (air filter, fuel cap, carb parts) |
Why it matters
The mower model number (CMXGMAM7815137) ties to the correct Craftsman deck and chassis parts. For example, if you are replacing bagging components, matching the mower model helps you choose the right items like the lawn mower grass bag 664P05322A and related hardware.
Quick tips if the label is missing or unreadable
- Check for a second label on the handle bracket area
- Look for an imprint outline where a sticker used to be
- Match key deck parts (blade, wheels, bagging setup) to narrow the correct parts list
Last updated: January 2026
What are the common problems with Craftsman lawn mowers?
Common problems on the Craftsman CMXGMAM7815137 gas walk-behind mower usually come down to starting issues, poor cutting or bagging performance, and control or wheel wear. Most fixes involve basic maintenance (fuel, air filter, blade) or replacing worn deck and bagging parts.
Most common symptoms and what they usually mean
- Won’t start or runs rough: stale fuel, dirty air filter, fouled spark plug, or carburetor varnish
- Cuts unevenly or leaves clumps: dull/bent blade, wrong cutting height, wet grass, or deck buildup
- Poor bagging or blowout: torn/loose bag, damaged rear skirt, or clogged deck discharge
- Vibration: bent blade, loose blade bolt, or worn blade adapter
- Hard to push or tracks poorly: worn wheels or debris wrapped around axles
Parts that commonly wear on this model
If you’re seeing bagging or discharge problems, these are frequent wear items for CMXGMAM7815137:
- Filter 799579 (engine air filter): helps prevent hard starting and power loss
- Lawn mower grass bag 664P05322A (grass catcher): tears or poor fit can reduce bagging performance
- Mtd lawn mower rear skirt 731-07203 (rear discharge area): damage can cause blowout and poor bag fill
- Mtd lawn mower deflector shield 731-07131 (side discharge control): cracks can affect discharge direction
Quick checks we recommend before buying parts
- Drain old fuel and refill with fresh gas (use fuel stabilizer if stored).
- Inspect and clean the air filter; replace if dark, oily, or damaged.
- Tip the mower safely (spark plug wire off) and check the blade for bends, cracks, and dull edges.
- Scrape packed grass from the underside of the deck.
- Confirm the control cable fully engages the blade brake and engine kill system.
Symptom-to-fix guide
| Symptom | Most likely cause | First action |
|---|---|---|
| Won’t start | Fuel/air/spark issue | Replace air filter; refresh fuel |
| Uneven cut | Blade or height setting | Sharpen/replace blade; level height |
| Poor bagging | Bag or rear skirt issue | Clear deck; inspect bag and skirt |
| Excess vibration | Blade or adapter issue | Tighten hardware; inspect blade/adapter |
Why it matters
A walk-behind mower that runs lean (dirty filter) or cuts with a damaged blade can lose power, scalp the lawn, and stress the crankshaft and deck. Keeping the blade, airflow, and discharge path in good shape prevents bigger repairs.
Last updated: January 2026





