Owner’s manual
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What are the parts of a lawn mower engine?
On the Craftsman lawn tractor model 917273180, the engine is a Kohler single-cylinder design; the main engine parts include the air intake and filter, carburetor and fuel system, ignition and spark plug, cylinder head and valves, crankcase and crankshaft, starter/charging components, and the muffler/exhaust.
These are the major assemblies that make the engine run and keep it running smoothly:
- Air intake and filtration: air cleaner base, paper element, foam pre-cleaner
- Fuel system: fuel tank, fuel line, in-line fuel filter, carburetor
- Ignition/electrical: ignition module/coil, wiring, spark plug
- Internal engine: cylinder head, valves, push rods/rocker arms, piston/rings, crankshaft, crankcase
- Lubrication: oil fill/dipstick, oil drain, oil filter (if equipped)
- Exhaust: muffler, heat shields, spark arrester (if equipped)
For the exact component names and exploded views used on 917273180, use the diagrams in the 917273180 owner’s manual.
Even when the engine itself is fine, these items often cause “won’t start,” “runs rough,” or “loses power” symptoms:
| System | Common service item | What it affects |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Air filter/pre-cleaner | Starting, power, fuel economy |
| Fuel | Fuel filter, fuel line, carburetor | Surging, stalling, hard start |
| Ignition | Spark plug | Misfire, no-start |
| Lubrication | Oil and oil filter (if equipped) | Engine life, overheating |
If your tractor loses power specifically when you engage the mower blades, we recommend reviewing why your mower loses power when the blades are engaged because the cause can be engine-related (air/fuel) or deck-related (belt drag, blade/mandrel resistance).
Knowing the engine “systems” helps you troubleshoot faster. For example, a no-start is often ignition (spark plug) or fuel delivery, while a bogging engine under load can point to airflow restriction, stale fuel, or excessive deck load.
Last updated: January 2026
What kind of engine does a Craftsman riding lawn mower have?
The Craftsman lawn tractor model 917273180 uses a Kohler CV490 single-cylinder gasoline engine (type 27532) rated at 17.5 HP and paired with an automatic transmission. For the exact operating and maintenance details, use the 917273180 owner's manual.
From the model-specific documentation, this tractor is identified as a 17.5 HP, 42-inch mower with electric start and automatic transmission.
Key engine-related specs called out for this model include:
- Engine family/model: Kohler CV490 (type 27532)
- Spark plug: Champion RC12YC (gap 0.040 in.)
- Fuel: Unleaded regular gasoline (minimum 87 octane)
- Oil type: SAE 10W30 (above 32°F) or SAE 5W30 (below 32°F)
- Oil capacity: 4.0 pints with filter, 3.5 pints without filter
If you are verifying what is installed on your unit, we recommend checking:
- The engine shroud label (often shows Kohler model and spec/type)
- The valve cover area and starter side for stamped ID tags
- The tractor model tag (confirms you have model 917273180)
Craftsman riding mowers can be built with different engine brands depending on model and production year. Here is a quick comparison:
| Engine brand | Typical configuration | Where you will see it |
|---|---|---|
| Kohler | Single-cylinder or V-twin | Many Craftsman lawn tractors (including 917273180) |
| Briggs & Stratton | Single-cylinder or V-twin | Many Craftsman riders and lawn tractors |
| Kawasaki | Often V-twin | Some higher-end lawn and garden tractors |
Knowing the exact engine model helps you choose the correct tune-up parts (spark plug, air filter, fuel filter) and follow the right oil and maintenance schedule. That prevents hard starting, power loss, and premature engine wear.
Last updated: January 2026
What kind of oil do you use in a Craftsman lawn tractor?
For the Craftsman lawn tractor model 917273180, we use high-quality detergent engine oil rated API SG-SL; the recommended viscosity is SAE 10W30 above 32°F and SAE 5W30 below 32°F. See the 917273180 owner's manual for the full oil and maintenance specifications.
Use these oil types based on outdoor temperature:
- SAE 10W30 for temperatures above 32°F
- SAE 5W30 for temperatures below 32°F
- Choose a detergent oil with API service classification SG-SL
- Do not overfill; keep the level at the FULL mark on the dipstick
- Change oil more often in high heat, dusty conditions, or heavy mowing loads
Your 917273180 tractor’s engine oil capacity depends on whether it has an oil filter installed.
| Configuration | Oil capacity |
|---|---|
| With oil filter | 4.0 pints |
| Without oil filter | 3.5 pints |
We recommend these basics to avoid hard starting and premature engine wear:
- Park on level ground before checking oil
- Check oil before each use and about every 8 hours of operation
- Drain oil when the engine is warm (it flows out faster)
- Keep dirt out of the fill tube when removing the cap/dipstick
- Replace the drain cap securely after draining
For a step-by-step walkthrough, use how to change the oil in a riding lawn mower video.
Using the correct viscosity oil helps your Kohler engine in model 917273180 lubricate properly at startup and under load. Too-thick oil in cold weather can cause slow cranking; too-thin oil in heat can increase wear.
Last updated: January 2026
