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Sears 917370431 self-propelled lawn mower hard to pull start rope

#1

Cusser

Cusser

A couple of years ago I was given a Sears 917370431 self-propelled lawn mower from my neighbor. This started up fine and performed well, even though I'm not a great fan of its self-propelled feature, but that does work. Anyway, I recently hurt my right shoulder and have discovered I have pain and difficulty pulling the starting cord fast enough; it's several times tougher to pull than the two other Sears lawn mowers I have at a different site.

I believe the engine is B&S MODEL NUMBER 126M02-1525-EA, and there is no priming bulb on this engine. Any suggestions? Does this mower need valve adjustment to make starter cord pulling easier? I can guarantee that such adjustment has NEVER been performed on this (but I do know how to do this).

I have the owner's manual. Thanks.


#2

StarTech

StarTech

Being a L-head normally the valve clearance closes up making the ACR more active not less. But I have seen where ACRs fail on these camshafts creating higher starting compression.

Also the engine is using an auto choke system which is why there is no primer.


#3

Cusser

Cusser

StarTech said:
Being a L-head normally the valve clearance closes up making the ACR more active not less. But I have seen where ACRs fail on these camshafts creating higher starting compression.
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Are you saying that valve adjustment likely won't help me in this instance? And I should just wait until my shoulder feels better???? Thanks.


#4

sgkent

sgkent

when I start all my equipment, I pull the rope slowly until it is either all the way out, or I feel a lot of resistance. It will pull easily then suddenly sort of hit a hard spot. I then let the rope back in and pull it. The hard spot is basically the engine telling you, "hey, I am ready to fire and start." Usually it will start right away then without hurting my shoulder or back. I have taught the other half how to do this too because she would pull and pull and pull on it. If it does not get that stop feel before it is all the way out then do it again. If it is not ready to start after many soft pulls like this, it may need some kind of service - or the gas is old, etc..


#5

Cusser

Cusser

sgkent said:
when I start all my equipment, I pull the rope slowly until it is either all the way out, or I feel a lot of resistance. It will pull easily then suddenly sort of hit a hard spot. I then let the rope back in and pull it. The hard spot is basically the engine telling you, "hey, I am ready to fire and start." Usually it will start right away then without hurting my shoulder or back. I have taught the other half how to do this too because she would pull and pull and pull on it. If it does not get that stop feel before it is all the way out then do it again. If it is not ready to start after many soft pulls like this, it may need some kind of service - or the gas is old, etc..
Click to expand...
Thanks, I will try this next time. And my shoulder is getting way better - but I don't want to hurt it again !


#6

O

Oddjob

Since it used to be easier to pull, maybe the compression release mechanism has failed. You could try to confirm by using a magnet on a stick and fishing for steel shards via the oil fill tube.


#7

StarTech

StarTech

Oddjob said:
Since it used to be easier to pull, maybe the compression release mechanism has failed. You could try to confirm by using a magnet on a stick and fishing for steel shards via the oil fill tube.
Click to expand...
On these camshafts they usually just bent out of shaft and not broken like the larger Briggs engines do.


#8

A

Auto Doc's

Cusser said:
A couple of years ago I was given a Sears 917370431 self-propelled lawn mower from my neighbor. This started up fine and performed well, even though I'm not a great fan of its self-propelled feature, but that does work. Anyway, I recently hurt my right shoulder and have discovered I have pain and difficulty pulling the starting cord fast enough; it's several times tougher to pull than the two other Sears lawn mowers I have at a different site.

I believe the engine is B&S MODEL NUMBER 126M02-1525-EA, and there is no priming bulb on this engine. Any suggestions? Does this mower need valve adjustment to make starter cord pulling easier? I can guarantee that such adjustment has NEVER been performed on this (but I do know how to do this).

I have the owner's manual. Thanks.
Click to expand...
A valve adjustment is recommended first, then inspect the auto choke system for proper operation.


#9

Tiger Small Engine

Tiger Small Engine

Auto Doc's said:
A valve adjustment is recommended first, then inspect the auto choke system for proper operation.
Click to expand...
Push the mower forward with the handle as you pull the rope at the same time. Use momentum to your advantage to start engine.


#10

Cusser

Cusser

Oddjob said:
Since it used to be easier to pull, maybe the compression release mechanism has failed. You could try to confirm by using a magnet on a stick and fishing for steel shards via the oil fill tube.
Click to expand...
This mower was given to me a year ago, and always has been tough to pull the rope to start it. The recent difference is that I hurt my right shoulder and the shoulder is getting better.

I wonder if moving the rope pull over to the left so I can use my left arm to pull the cord??? I did this a decade ago on a different mower.


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