Craftsman 247.397600 Troubleshooting Manual

Engine fails to start

1. Blade control disengaged.
2. Spark plug boot disconnected.
3. Fuel tank empty or stale fuel.
4. Engine not primed (If equipped with primer).
5. Faulty spark plug.
6. Engine flooded.
7. Blocked fuel line.

1. Engage blade control.
2. Connect wire to spark boot.
3. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline.
4. Prime engine as instructed in the Operation section.
5. Clean, adjust gap, or replace.
6. Wait a few minutes to restart.
7. Contact your Sears Parts & Repair Center to have fuel line cleaned.

Engine runs erratic

1. Spark plug boot loose.
2. Stale fuel.
3. Vent in gas cap plugged.
4. Water or dirt in fuel system.
5. Dirty air cleaner.
6. Blocked fuel line.

1. Connect and tighten spark plug boot.
2. Fill tank with clean, fresh gasoline.
3. Clear vent.
4. Run engine until it stops from lack of fuel. Refill with fresh fuel.
5. Refer to Air Cleaner Maintenance in the Engine Manual.
6. Contact your Sears Parts & Repair Center to have fuel line cleaned.

Engine overheats

1. Engine oil level low.
2. Air flow restricted.

1. Fill crankcase with proper oil.
2. Clean area around and on top of engine.

Occasional skips (hesitates)

1. Spark plug gap too close.

1. Adjust gap. Refer to Spark Plug Maintenance in Engine Manual.

Idles poorly

1. Spark plug fouled, faulty, or gap too wide.
2. Dirty air cleaner.

1. Reset gap or replace spark plug.
2. Refer to Air Cleaner Maintenance in the Engine Manual.

Excessive vibration

1. Cutting blade loose or unbalanced.
2. Bent cutting blade.

1. Tighten blade and adapter. Balance blade.
2. Replace blade.

Uneven cut

1. Wheels not positioned correctly.
2. Dull blade.

1. Adjust cutting height lever on right front and right rear wheel to same position.
2. Sharpen or replace blade.

Mower will not self propel

1. Belt not installed properly.
2. Debris clogging drive operation.
3. Damaged or worn belt.
4. Drive control out of adjustment.

1. Check belt for proper pulley installation and movement.
2. Stop engine, disconnect spark plug boot, and clean out debris.
3. Inspect and, if necessary, see your Sears Parts & Repair Center to have belt replaced.
4. Adjust drive control.

High pullback effort

1. Pulling mower backwards before transmission disengages.

1. Allow the unit to roll forward slightly without the drive lever(s) engaged before pulling backwards.