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Vibrating Craftsman Mower

16 years ago

Purchased a Model 917.388360 6.25 hp mower about 10 - 12 yrs ago. It's been a superb mower. It has begun to vibrate a bit while mowing, and leaks oil onto the deck. I suspect it might be caused by imbalance in the blade, which I've kept sharpened with a file, always careful to do equal strokes on each end. My issue is the oil leak (I can easily replace the blade). It may need a new gasket or seal on the shaft or housing Any hints on whether a person with modest mechanical aptitude should tackle that? Could be a good winter project if it's feasible.

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Comment (1)

tomplum
16 years ago
My first thought would be to check the crankshaft just to make sure it isn't tweaked. An easy way is to remove the spark plug, ground the lead, tip to the side w/ the air filter up and have someone crank it over while you observe the crankshaft. It is helpful to remove the blade and hub, but not always necessary. Loose engine bolts can contribute to vibration as well.
If all is ok, next determine the source of the leak.Things like dipstick or crankshaft seals are pretty straightforward to replace. Splitting the engine to replace the sump gasket isn't too bad either. Let us know what you find.
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