How much gas does a Craftsman riding lawn mower hold?
Most Craftsman riding lawn mowers hold about 1.5 to 3.5 gallons of gas, depending on the tractor size and engine. Model 917374361 is a Craftsman walk-behind mower, so its fuel tank is smaller; confirm the exact capacity in the Product Specifications section of the 917374361 owner's manual.
Typical fuel capacity ranges (Craftsman)
- Walk-behind mower (like 917374361): about 1.0 to 2.0 quarts (0.25 to 0.5 gallon)
- Small riding mower (lawn tractor): about 1.5 to 2.5 gallons
- Mid-size lawn tractor: about 2.0 to 3.5 gallons
- Zero-turn mower: often 3.0 gallons or more
How we recommend finding the exact capacity for your mower
- Open the 917374361 owner's manual.
- Go to Product Specifications.
- Look for gasoline capacity or fuel tank capacity.
- Use that number when you plan fuel storage or add stabilizer.
Quick comparison table
| Mower type | Typical capacity | Best use case |
|---|---|---|
| Walk-behind (917374361) | 1.0 to 2.0 qt | Smaller yards, shorter run time |
| Riding mower | 1.5 to 3.5 gal | Longer run time, larger cutting decks |
Why it matters
Knowing the correct tank capacity helps prevent overfilling and spills, and it makes seasonal storage easier (especially when you treat fuel or run the tank down before storage). For blade and deck-related maintenance on this model, we stock common replacement parts such as the lawn mower 22-inch deck 3-in-1 blade 532421825.
You can order parts from the parts list for model 917374361, or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
What are the common problems with Craftsman lawn mowers?
Common problems on the Craftsman 917374361 gas walk-behind mower are no-start conditions (stale fuel, dirty air filter, bad spark plug, loose blade or blade adapter), loss of power from airflow or deck buildup, excessive vibration from a damaged/loose blade, and self-propelled drive issues from a worn belt or stretched cable. See the owner's manual troubleshooting chart for the fastest checks.
Most common symptoms and what usually causes them
- Won’t start: stale fuel, water in fuel, dirty air filter, spark plug wire off, bad spark plug, control bar not held to the handle
- Starts then runs poorly or lacks power: dirty air filter, grass and debris packed under the deck, cutting too much grass at once
- Excessive vibration: worn, bent, or loose blade; damaged blade adapter; bent crankshaft after an impact
- Starter rope hard to pull: blade dragging in grass, brake engaged when control bar is released, impact damage
- Self-propelled won’t move or slows down: worn/slipping drive belt, drive cable out of adjustment or stretched, drive components worn
Quick checks we recommend (in order)
- Drain old gas and refill with fresh gasoline (especially after 30+ days of storage).
- Inspect and clean or replace the air filter.
- Check the spark plug and reconnect the plug wire firmly.
- Confirm you are holding the control bar against the handle while starting.
- Tip the mower safely and clear packed grass from under the deck (after the engine cools).
- If vibration is present, stop using the mower and inspect the blade and mounting hardware.
Parts that commonly fix these issues
| Symptom | Part to inspect/replace | Example part for this model |
|---|---|---|
| Poor cut, vibration, stalling in heavy grass | Blade | Husqvarna lawn mower 22-inch deck 3-in-1 blade 532421825 |
| Mower won’t self-propel or slows | Ground drive belt | Lawn mower ground drive belt, 3/8 x 35-3/8-in 532421527 |
| Drive engagement feels loose | Drive cable | Lawn mower drive cable 583441401 |
Why it matters
Most “won’t start” and “loss of power” complaints come from fuel quality, airflow (air filter), or deck buildup. Catching blade looseness or damage early also prevents vibration that can lead to bigger mechanical wear.
For model-specific diagrams and step-by-step maintenance intervals, use the parts list on this page or search by model at Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026
What kind of gas do you put in a Craftsman push mower?
For the Craftsman 917374361 gas walk-behind mower, we recommend fresh, clean regular unleaded gasoline; avoid higher-ethanol fuels such as E15 or E85 because they can cause hard starting, poor running, and fuel-system damage in small engines. Confirm any fuel notes in the owner's manual.
What to use (and what to avoid)
- Use fresh regular unleaded gasoline from a busy station.
- Choose E10 (10% ethanol) or less when available.
- Avoid E15 and E85 fuels.
- Do not use old gas; stale fuel is a common no-start cause.
- Keep the gas can clean and sealed to prevent water contamination.
Quick fuel checklist for reliable starting
- Fill with fresh gas (especially after storage).
- If the mower has been sitting, drain or run out old fuel and refill.
- If you suspect water in fuel, empty the tank and refill with fresh gasoline.
- Store fuel in an approved container and keep it tightly capped.
Fuel guidance at a glance
| Fuel type at the pump | Typical ethanol content | Use in small engines like this mower? |
|---|---|---|
| Regular unleaded (E0) | 0% | Yes |
| Regular unleaded (E10) | Up to 10% | Yes |
| Unleaded (E15) | Up to 15% | No |
| Flex fuel (E85) | Up to 85% | No |
Why it matters
Higher ethanol blends attract moisture and can degrade fuel quickly; that leads to stale fuel, corrosion, and starting problems. The manual troubleshooting guidance also points to stale fuel and water in fuel as common reasons a mower will not start.
Parts that often get replaced when fuel issues cause poor running
If fuel problems have been ongoing, these related maintenance items are commonly checked or replaced during service:
- Air filter
- Spark plug
- Blade and drive components (unrelated to fuel, but often serviced at the same time)
For model-specific diagrams and part lookups, order parts directly from the parts list for this model or search by model number on Sears PartsDirect.
Last updated: February 2026





