20 Most Recent Poulan 42-Inch Steel Deck 17.5 HP Briggs & Stratton I/C Engine With 6 Speed - Page 2 Questions & Answers

Do a search on goggle for the make model and deck size and you can see the routing diagram.

CHECK BELT, WITH MOWER OFF ! . HAVE SOMEONE MOVE HANDLE UP-DOWN AS YOU WATCH THE BELT, IT SHOULD FEEL TIGHT WHEN DECK IS LOWERED .. JAY

The problem is the float needle and seat are leaking. It is not shutting off the gas when the bowl is full. The bowl fills up, then runs down the intake through the intake valve into cylinder, past the rings into the crankcase. Fairly common problem. Just replacing the rubber tipped needle probably will not stop the leak. The pressed-in brass seat needs to be pulled out and a new one pressed in also. Possibly there is some trash or rust in the carb that has gotten between the needle and seat, but in my experience, it usually takes replacing both to fix.

I hope this helps as quickly as it helped me. Try cleaning the small vent hole in the gas cap. I had asked Fixya this question last year and it worked like a charm! Good luck.

starter is dying,try jumping the solenoid terminals if it doesnt help,then get a starter

Inspect the linkage connecting the lever to the deck. That's what I would do.

Check to see if you have a "solenoid valve" under the fuel bowl to ensure the engine is getting gas. The solenoid valve allows fuel to enter the fuel bowl. If it's partially open it could cause a problem. Next I would check the small pilot wheel that puts tension on the belt when you engage it. If that's corroded it won't turn, and as a result will keep the blade from turning and kill the engine.

If you have already changed your fuel filter and spark plug, look at your fuel tank cap. The breathing holes may be clogged with dirt or debris preventing good fuel flow. I happened to spend $150 bucks for this $5 fix. Hope this helps.

carburetor is more than likely gummed up. you will have to remove carb and clean out jets. one way to check is to get starting fluid and spray into carb while someone cranks it and see if it runs. if it runs then the carb is dirty. and if it does not then check spark.

this sounds as if you have a bad cable/connection or starter relay has some dammaged contacts to be responsible for voltage drop sometimes the wire comes loose from back of connector

Well I am not sure if your lawnmower is similar to mine - when I want to engage the blades, I push the lever up and lock it in place. I just replaced my cable - took about an hour. On the other side of ther lever there is a cable attached that goes to the cam to engage the blades. You will need to look and see how it is secured at the lever and at the cam down where the blades are. Mine was pretty easy to remove - there was a tab that locked the cable to the lever frame where the lever is located. At the cam to engage the blades there was a pin that needed to be pulled out to release the cable. That was pretty much it. Look on the internet for a parts diagram of your particular lawnmower. You will need to include the mfg, and model - The parts diagram should show you where it's connected. Make sure you have the new part in hand before you start to work on it. If you don't, you may have to wait a day or two to get the part from a local supplier - if you're lucky they may have the part in stock. Another reason to get the parts diagram is the part numbers are listed for all parts - when you call for a part use the part number for the item you want to purchae. Hope this info helps.

Torque is 250 in lbs; done in three steps. Recently changed by Briggs from 220 in lbs.

if the gas is filling up the cylinder oil level should be rising also - depends on how long it takes to leak into cylinder - bowl of carb should have a fuel cut off that might be stuck open and carb float must be leaking by also

Your owner's manual tells and show how. If you don't have one, go to www.managemylife.com

Maybe some thing in the Carburetor or plugged fuel line? Worth a check

Try Soaking it in deisel fuel for a couple days

sounds as you need to do a compression ck on the heads to see if you have a blown head gasket, If it does let me save you a lot of time n money don;t go 4 the head resurface and new gasket it won;t last long briggs sells a "short block" thats your best bet !!!!!