Craftsman 247.38824 User Manual
19
TROUBLE-SHOOTING
PROBLEM
POSSIBLE CAUSE
CORRECTIVE ACTION
Engine fails to start
1. Blade control handle disengaged
2. Spark plug wire disconnected
3. Throttle control lever not in starting position
4. Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel
5. Blocked fuel line
6. Faulty spark plug
2. Spark plug wire disconnected
3. Throttle control lever not in starting position
4. Fuel tank empty, or stale fuel
5. Blocked fuel line
6. Faulty spark plug
1. Engage blade control handle.
2. Connect wire to spark plug.
3. Move throttle lever to starting position.
4. Fill tank with fresh, clean fuel.
5. Clean fuel line.
6. Clean, adjust gap or replace.
2. Connect wire to spark plug.
3. Move throttle lever to starting position.
4. Fill tank with fresh, clean fuel.
5. Clean fuel line.
6. Clean, adjust gap or replace.
Engine runs erratic
1. Spark plug wire loose
2. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel
2. Blocked fuel line or stale fuel
3. Vent in gas cap plugged
4. Water or dirt in fuel system
5. Dirty air cleaner
4. Water or dirt in fuel system
5. Dirty air cleaner
1. Connect and tighten spark plug wire.
2. Clean fuel line, fill tank with clean, fresh
2. Clean fuel line, fill tank with clean, fresh
gasoline.
3. Clear vent.
4. Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel.
5. Clean air cleaner. Refer to
4. Drain fuel tank. Refill with fresh fuel.
5. Clean air cleaner. Refer to
Maintenance section of this manual.
Engine overheats
1. Engine oil level low
2. Air flow restricted
2. Air flow restricted
1. Fill crankcase with proper oil.
2. Clean lawn mower engine.
2. Clean lawn mower engine.
Occasional skip
(hesitates) at high
speed
(hesitates) at high
speed
1. Spark plug gap too close
1. Adjust gap to .030 inches.
Idles poorly
1. Spark plug fouled, faulty, or gap too wide
2. Dirty air cleaner
1. Reset gap to .030 inches or replace
spark plug.
2. Clean air cleaner following instructions
on page 13.
Excessive vibration
1. Cutting blade loose or unbalanced
2. Bent cutting blade
3. Bent engine crankshaft
3. Bent engine crankshaft
1. Tighten blade and adapter, balance
blade.
2. Replace blade.
3. Contact your SEARS Service Center.
3. Contact your SEARS Service Center.
Mower will not
mulch grass
mulch grass
1. Wet grass
2. Excessively high grass
2. Excessively high grass
3. Dull blade
1. Wait until later to cut.
2. Mow once at a high cutting height, then
2. Mow once at a high cutting height, then
mow again at desired height. Make a
narrower cutting swath (1/2) width. Do
not cut off more than 1/3 of the total
length.
narrower cutting swath (1/2) width. Do
not cut off more than 1/3 of the total
length.
3. Sharpen or replace blade.
Uneven cut
1. Wheels not in same height position
2. Dull blade
1. Place all four wheels in same relative
height position.
2. Sharpen or replace blade.
For repairs beyond the minor adjustments listed above,
please contact your nearest SEARS Service Center.
please contact your nearest SEARS Service Center.