Hello DC, Back in '95, my girlfreind decided she needed a new lawn mower and bought a Sear's Craftsman Eager 1 lawn mower. About the only maintenance that has been done to this mower is a couple of oil changes, a new blade, and fuel put in the tank. No problems or hassles. These may not be the most popular mowers or get the best ratings from Consumer Reports, but it's been a very dependable and reliable piece of equipment. Just wish I could say the same for my Poulan Chain Saw. I had a 6 hp Tecumseh on a Murray mower when I was in England (the Four Seasons was sold out of the 3.5 hp that would've been more than big enough for my 'garden') and it was a good mower. Had to clean the carb and ignition contacts once when I restrung the starter rope.

Seems sitting all winter in the damp climate got to it. Other than that it gave me very good service for five years and I sold it before I left for almost what I had paid for it. It is a Tecumseh engine, a lot of people do not like them, because most people are not able to work on them easy, the main thing to do with them is to make sure the fuel is clean, their carbs are made a little more refined than briggs, so they more time consuming to clean, as for quality, they are one of the better ones made, fot the people who are going to comment on this, if they were not one of the best, why does Toro, and Sears use so many of them, not becasue they are junk as most people will say. I just picked up a Craftsman Eager-1 (6.5hp, rear wheel drive) at a garage sale for $20. The lady said it hadn't been started in over a year.

And Rotary Lawn Mowers: Cleaning Craftsman (Tecumseh) carburetor. If it is clogged and of the paper type, replacement will be needed. Most carburetors on Craftsman mowers are variations on a common float design. Use a 1/8' straight blade screwdriver to remove the screw in the center of the throttle plate.

The only thing I saw wrong was that the pull string had broken, I figured I'd pull off the cover and re-attach it, which I did. I squirted an engine starter fluid into the carb and a little on the inside of the spark plug area. I COULD NOT get it to start. I pulled the plug and it looked like it had fired.

Any suggestions what I should do next? I am no mechanic (but I have all the necessary tools), but since this was a 'shot in the dark' garage sale pick-up I have no reservations about taking this thing apart.I just need to know where to start. Thanks for any help you can offer!!!!

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