Craftsman Riding Mower Carburetor Cleaning & Rebuild
Most Craftsman riding mower problems — hard starting, rough idle, stalling, running rich or lean — trace back to the carburetor. Cleaning takes 30 minutes. A full rebuild adds 15 minutes and costs $10–20 in parts.
Last Updated: June 2026
Fast answer
If the mower sat over winter with fuel in it, the carburetor needs cleaning. Full stop.
Tools needed
Socket set, screwdrivers, needle-nose pliers, carb cleaner spray, compressed air.
Time needed
30–60 minutes. Most of that is removing and reinstalling the carb.
Clean vs rebuild
Clean first. If it doesn’t fix it, rebuild kit adds needle, seat, O-rings.
Replace vs rebuild
Aftermarket carbs cost $15–40. Often faster than sourcing OEM rebuild parts.
Step-by-Step Carb Cleaning
- Drain the fuel — Turn off the fuel petcock or pinch the fuel line before removing the carb. Drain the bowl.
- Remove the carb — Disconnect the fuel line, throttle linkage, and choke linkage (take a phone photo first for reassembly). Remove the 2–4 bolts or nuts holding the carb to the engine.
- Disassemble the bowl — Remove the single bolt at the base of the carb bowl. The bowl drops off. Inside: main jet (brass fitting with a small hole), float (plastic or metal), and needle valve. Remove all three.
- Clean all passages — Spray carb cleaner through every opening in the carb body. Pay special attention to the main jet hole and pilot jet passages. Use compressed air to blow through after spraying. You should see light through the main jet hole — if not, it’s blocked.
- Inspect the needle valve and seat — The needle valve controls fuel entering the bowl. If it’s worn, fuel overflows and floods the engine. Replace with a rebuild kit ($8–20) if the tip is grooved or worn.
- Reassemble and reinstall — Reverse disassembly. Use the photo for linkage routing. Start with choke fully closed for first start after carb work.
Parts & Costs
| Part | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Carb rebuild kit (B&S) | $8–20 | Needle, seat, O-rings, gaskets. Use if cleaning fails. |
| Replacement carb (aftermarket) | $15–40 | Often cheaper than an OEM rebuild. Compatible with most B&S engines. |
| Carburetor cleaner spray | $6–12 |
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