I'm trying to diagnose a freebie lawnmower I got. Craftsman Eager 1 6.5hp self propelled.

I want to take off the gas tank and top shroud to get at the flywheel and see why it doesn't turn with the pull rope, but will turn, stiffly, by turning the blade by hand.

I've removed all screws I can see/find, the top cover is loose, especially at the front, but doesn't seem to want to come off. I suspect it's just a pull off at this point, but don't want to break any tabs or plastic parts (gas tank is plastic) by pulling in the wrong direction or if there's some weird connection I'm missing that's holding it on.

Here are pix so you know what I'm dealing with.

shortened URL:
http://tinyurl.com/4fbw84a

full URL:

https://picasaweb.google.com/richard.ernst/20110305_lawnmower_craftsman_eager1_engine_top_shroud?authkey=Gv1sRgCNu54r_2tc3v3wE#

Thanks.

Rich, March 2011

Rich, Thanks for this as I am trying to replace the starting rope for a machine I borrowed. I would love to have a word with the brilliant designer who made such a simple task near impossible. I hope that armed with your information it will be possible.

John, England November 2012, November 2012

Yay, figured it out.

First, pull the oil check cap/dipstick off and set it aside. I put a paper towel in the filler tube to keep debris from getting in.

What you have to do on this thing is pull the sides of the gas tank OUT a bit. If you put some upward tension on the side as you pull out, you'll feel the plug that keeps it from moving release. It's NOT a friction fit, or if it is, it's VERY low, so you're just pulling against the formed plastic part of the gas tank and extension that meets the metal shroud.

Once you've done that, you can then wiggle from side to side, again pulling UPWARDS (not back) as there's another attachment piece of plastic that slides vertically into the metal shroud.

You can even pull it off and NOT remove the gas line if you're not fiddling with that, saving spilling or having to figure how to empty the tank.

Once the gas tank is off, you can see the other 2 bolts at the rear (one next to the oil filler) to allow removal of the metal shroud part.

Rich, March 2011