Owner’s manual
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How long can gas sit in a gas can for a lawn mower?
Regular unleaded gasoline for your Craftsman mower model 917376241 is best used within 30 days; after that it starts to go stale and can cause hard-starting and rough running. With a quality fuel stabilizer mixed in, gas typically stores up to about 6 to 8 months in a clean, sealed can.
- Use an approved, tightly sealed gas can and keep it in a cool, dry place.
- Add fuel stabilizer right after you buy gas (not after it has already aged).
- Label the can with the purchase date so you rotate fuel first-in, first-out.
- Keep water and dirt out; contamination leads to “stale fuel” and starting problems.
- If your gas can starts to rust, replace it (rust and dirt in gasoline cause problems).
If the mower has been sitting or you suspect stale fuel, we recommend draining the tank and refilling with fresh gasoline. The 917376241 manual also calls out stale fuel as a common “does not start” cause and recommends emptying and refilling with fresh, clean gasoline.
| Gas condition in the can | What we recommend | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Under 30 days old | Use it | Best volatility for easy starting |
| Over 30 days, no stabilizer | Replace it | Higher chance of stale-fuel starting issues |
| Stabilized fuel (stored properly) | Use within ~6 to 8 months | Stabilizer slows oxidation and varnish formation |
| Smells sour, looks dark, has debris/water | Replace it and clean the can | Prevents carburetor and fuel-system problems |
Old or contaminated gasoline is one of the most common reasons a walk-behind mower will not start. Using fresh fuel helps protect the carburetor, improves starting, and reduces downtime during mowing season.
For model-specific storage and maintenance guidance, follow the 917376241 owner's manual.
Last updated: January 2026
What are the most common issues with 917376241?
The most common problems we see on the Craftsman 917376241 gas walk-behind mower are drive system issues (self-propel stops pulling), poor cut quality, and discharge or bagging problems. Most fixes come down to cable adjustment, worn drive parts, or a dull or damaged blade; use the 917376241 owner's manual for model-specific checks and adjustments.
- Self-propel won’t move or slips: stretched/binding drive cable, worn drive wheel or pawls, transmission wear
- Engine runs but mower won’t go: drive control bar not fully engaging, cable out of adjustment
- Uneven cut or vibration: bent/dull blade, debris packed under deck, loose fasteners
- Clippings blow out the side or won’t bag: chute door not closing, missing/weak springs, clogged deck
- Mulching performance is poor: mulch door not sealing, blade not suited for 3-in-1 use
- Safety first: disconnect the spark plug wire before working near the blade.
- Clean the underside of the deck: packed grass causes poor cut, vibration, and discharge issues.
- Inspect the blade: replace a bent or heavily nicked blade; the correct 22-inch 3-in-1 blade for this model is the lawn mower 22-in deck 3-in-1 blade 532420463.
- Check drive engagement: squeeze the drive control bar and confirm the cable moves freely; if it feels slack or sticky, the lawn mower drive control cable 588479201 is a common wear item.
- Look at the discharge area: a damaged or missing deflector can affect safety and bagging; see the lawn mower clipping deflector 532426129.
| Symptom | Most likely area | Parts on this model that often fix it |
|---|---|---|
| No self-propel or weak pull | Drive cable, wheels, transmission | Drive control cable, drive wheel, transmission assembly |
| Poor cut, scalping, vibration | Blade, deck buildup, hardware | 22-in 3-in-1 blade, nuts/screws/washers |
| Won’t bag or side discharge mess | Chute door/deflector, springs | Clipping deflector, chute door, door springs |
Drive and discharge problems usually get worse quickly; a slipping drive can wear the transmission, and a damaged blade can cause vibration that loosens hardware and stresses the crankshaft.
Last updated: March 2026
What model number is a Craftsman 6.75 lawn mower?
For a Craftsman 6.75 (often shown as a 650 Series) walk-behind mower, the model number depends on the exact mower you own. For the Craftsman mower covered by this page, the model number is 917.376241 (commonly written without the dot as 917376241). See the 917376241 owner's manual to match the model and serial decal on your mower.
We recommend checking the model/serial decal on the mower housing (not the engine label). On Craftsman walk-behind mowers like model 917376241, the decal is typically on the rear of the mower housing.
- Look on the rear of the deck/housing for a sticker or metal tag
- Record both the model number and serial number
- Ignore numbers on the engine shroud; those are engine model/type codes
- If the decal is dirty, wipe it with a damp rag and mild cleaner
- If the decal is worn, use a flashlight at an angle to make the print easier to read
The manual for this model identifies it as a Craftsman rotary mower with a Briggs & Stratton 650 Series engine and a 22-inch multi-cut deck.
| Item to check | What you should see for 917376241 | Where to verify |
|---|---|---|
| Mower model number | 917.376241 (or 917376241) | Rear housing decal and 917376241 owner's manual |
| Deck size | 22-inch | Manual specs section |
| Engine family label | 650 Series (engine family, not mower model) | Engine shroud |
Using the correct mower model number ensures you get the right repair parts and diagrams for items like the drive system, handle hardware, and cutting components.
If you are replacing common wear items on this mower, match parts by model first; for example, the correct blade for this model is the lawn mower 22-in deck 3-in-1 blade 532420463.
Last updated: January 2026
