5 Best Brand New Craftsman 140cc Lawn Mower Won’t Start Parts (2026)

By Graham Fisher

Updated November 2026

A brand new Craftsman 140cc lawn mower won’t start is frustrating, especially when the machine is only a season or two old. In many cases the problem is a worn or failed recoil starter, a bad fit on a replacement part, or a stuck carburetor that was never properly primed or stabilized. This guide compares five parts sold on Amazon that owners commonly look at when the pull cord won’t engage or the starter assembly has failed, and explains how to choose among them. The criteria here are model compatibility with 140cc Craftsman engines, the completeness of the kit, installation considerations, and patterns in owner feedback.

Our Top Picks

Quick Comparison

XSPANDER Recoil Pull Starter Assembly for Craftsman M110 Lawn Mower CMXGMAM1125499 140cc Engine

XSPANDER Recoil Pull Starter Assembly for Craftsman M110 Lawn Mower CMXGMAM1125499 140cc Engine

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Best for: Owners who can match the M110 model number and want a complete starter assembly.

This assembly is aimed at Craftsman mowers equipped with the 140cc engine listed in the model reference. It suits someone who has confirmed the model number on the engine decal and wants a full replacement rather than a rebuild.

Key specs

• Recoil pull starter assembly
• Listed for Craftsman M110 with CMXGMAM1125499 model reference
• Designed for 140cc engine

Pros

• Complete assembly rather than loose components
• Model-specific listing reduces guesswork
• Straightforward swap for a failed rewind spring or pawl

Cons

• Only a good fit if the model number matches exactly
• Installation still requires removing the old assembly and checking spring tension

Bottom line: A strong first choice for owners whose mower matches the M110 listing and who want a full assembly.

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Recoil Pull Starter for Craftsman M100 140cc Lawn Mower

for Craftsman M100 140cc Lawn Mower Recoil Pull Starter

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Best for: Owners of Craftsman M100 mowers with a 140cc engine.

This recoil starter is aimed squarely at the M100 platform. It fits owners who need a direct replacement and have already confirmed the M100 model on their mower’s data plate.

Key specs

• Recoil pull starter for Craftsman M100
• Designed for 140cc engine

Pros

• Model-specific listing for the M100
• Single-part replacement keeps the job simple
• Useful when the rope or pawl has worn out but the housing is intact

Cons

• Not interchangeable across other Craftsman models without checking
• Owners may still need to inspect the flywheel and starter cup separately

Bottom line: The right pick for M100 owners who want a targeted starter replacement.

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Recoil Pull Starter and Flywheel Starter Cup for Craftsman M110 M115 CMXGMAM1125499 140cc Lawn Mower

Recoil Pull Starter & Flywheel Srarter Cup for Craftsman M110 M115 CMXGMAM1125499 140cc Lawn Mower

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Best for: Repairs where the starter cup or flywheel interface may also be damaged.

When a pull cord snaps repeatedly or the starter won’t engage the engine, the cup on the flywheel can be worn or cracked. This listing bundles the starter with a cup, which makes it useful for a more complete repair on M110 and M115 mowers.

Key specs

• Recoil pull starter
• Flywheel starter cup included
• Listed for Craftsman M110/M115 with CMXGMAM1125499 reference
• 140cc engine

Pros

• Addresses both the starter and the cup in one purchase
• Good for owners who see the cup engaging poorly
• Model reference is clearly stated

Cons

• Installation takes more time than a simple rope swap
• Unnecessary if the cup is intact and only the rewind spring has failed

Bottom line: Best for owners who suspect both the starter and the cup need replacing.

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Recoil Starter Repair Kit for Craftsman 37298, 37420, 37295 21″ 140cc Lawn Mowers, Troy-Bilt TB554, TB115, TB110, TB200

Recoil Starter Repair Kit for Craftsman 37298, 37420, 37295 21" 140cc Lawn Mowers, Troy-Bilt TB554, TB115, TB110, TB200, Easy Installation, Reliable Performance

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Best for: Owners who prefer a repair kit over a single assembled starter.

A repair kit is useful when the failure is in a spring, pawl or pulley rather than the whole housing. The listing covers several Craftsman 21-inch 140cc models and related Troy-Bilt units, so check the model number before buying.

Key specs

• Recoil starter repair kit
• Listed for Craftsman 37298, 37420 and 37295 21-inch 140cc mowers
• Also listed for several Troy-Bilt models

Pros

• Covers multiple models in one kit
• Useful for targeted repairs of worn internal parts
• Listing emphasizes easy installation

Cons

• Requires more hands-on work than a full assembly swap
• Compatibility depends on matching the exact model listed

Bottom line: A practical choice for owners of 37298-family mowers who are comfortable with a partial rebuild.

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Recoil Pull Starter for Craftsman 37298 37420 37295 Lawn Mowers 21 140cc Engine

for Recoil Pull Starter for Craftsman 37298 37420 37295 Lawn Mowers 21 140cc Engine

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Best for: Budget-minded single-part replacements on matching 21-inch Craftsman mowers.

This starter is a straightforward single-part replacement for the 37298 family of 21-inch mowers with a 140cc engine. It works well if the housing and cup are still sound.

Key specs

• Recoil pull starter
• Listed for Craftsman 37298, 37420 and 37295
• 21-inch deck, 140cc engine

Pros

• Simple single-part swap
• Clear model listing for 37298-family mowers
• Often the lower-cost route among these options

Cons

• Does not address a damaged starter cup or flywheel
• Fit depends on confirming the model before ordering

Bottom line: A sensible first try for owners whose failure is limited to the rope mechanism.

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Buying Guide

Confirm the exact model number

Craftsman 140cc mowers appear under several model numbers, and the same engine can sit in different decks. Check the decal on the mower body or engine shroud before ordering. A part listed for the M110 may not match an M100, even though both use a 140cc engine.

Good picks for this: XSPANDER Recoil Pull Starter Assembly for Craftsman M110, Recoil Pull Starter for Craftsman M100 140cc

Decide between a full starter and a repair kit

A full recoil assembly replaces everything at once, which is faster. A repair kit replaces only worn springs, pawls or pulleys, which costs less time in parts but takes more care during reassembly. If the housing is cracked, a kit won’t help.

Good picks for this: Recoil Starter Repair Kit for Craftsman 37298/37420/37295, XSPANDER Recoil Pull Starter Assembly

Check the starter cup and flywheel

If the rope pulls freely but the engine doesn’t turn over, the cup on the flywheel may be worn or the pawls may not be engaging. Look for rounded teeth or cracks. Replacing only the rope mechanism won’t fix this.

Good picks for this: Recoil Pull Starter and Flywheel Starter Cup for Craftsman M110/M115

Consider fuel and spark before blaming the starter

A new mower that won’t start is often a fuel or spark issue rather than a starter problem. Stale fuel, a clogged carburetor or a fouled spark plug can all mimic a dead starter. Replace the fuel, check the plug gap against the manufacturer’s specification, and confirm the choke position before buying parts. The site’s guides on carburetor and spark issues walk through these checks in more detail.

Match the deck size and engine displacement

The 21-inch deck models and the M-series models share the 140cc designation but are not always identical internally. Compare the engine displacement and deck width on the listing against the mower itself before ordering.

Good picks for this: Recoil Pull Starter for Craftsman 37298/37420/37295 140cc, Recoil Starter Repair Kit for Craftsman 37298 family

Assess the pull cord and spring condition

A frayed rope or a rewind spring that no longer retracts the handle indicates wear. Pulling the cord with the spark plug removed can help you tell whether the problem is in the starter or in the engine. A spring that is slack or broken is usually a clear sign to replace the starter components.

Good picks for this: Recoil Pull Starter for Craftsman M100 140cc, XSPANDER Recoil Pull Starter Assembly

Plan for installation and safety

Disconnect the spark plug wire before any starter work. Starter springs store energy and can release suddenly, so wear eye protection and remove the spring tension slowly. Owners who are unsure about spring handling should have a small-engine technician do the job.

Good picks for this: Recoil Starter Repair Kit for Craftsman 37298/37420/37295

FAQ

Why won’t my brand new Craftsman 140cc lawn mower start if the engine is new?

A new engine can still fail to start because of stale fuel left in the tank, a carburetor that was not fully drained at the factory, a spark plug with the wrong gap, or a recoil starter that isn’t engaging the flywheel cup. Start by checking fuel and spark before replacing the starter.

Can I replace only the rope on a Craftsman 140cc starter?

Yes, if the rope is the only worn part. If the rewind spring is weak or the pawls are not engaging, a rope alone won’t solve the problem. Inspect the whole assembly before deciding.

How do I know if the starter cup is the problem?

If the cord pulls with normal resistance but the engine does not turn over, check the cup and pawls on the flywheel. Rounded or cracked teeth on the cup usually mean it needs replacing.

Do I need to remove the blade or deck to replace the starter?

Most owners remove the shroud and the starter housing but do not need to lift the deck. Disconnect the spark plug wire first and follow the manufacturer’s service steps for your model.

Are these parts compatible with Troy-Bilt mowers?

Some listings, such as the repair kit, mention Troy-Bilt models alongside Craftsman. Compatibility is still model-specific, so confirm the Troy-Bilt model number matches the listing before ordering.

When should I stop repairing and get professional help?

If the flywheel is cracked, the starter housing is broken, or you are uncomfortable handling a loaded rewind spring, a qualified small-engine technician should handle the repair. Spring tension can cause injury if released unexpectedly.

Conclusion

For a brand new Craftsman 140cc lawn mower that won’t start, the right part depends on what has failed. The XSPANDER assembly suits owners who can confirm the M110 model and want a complete replacement. The M100-specific starter fits that platform directly. The starter and cup bundle makes sense when the cup is also suspect, and the repair kit suits owners comfortable rebuilding the mechanism for 37298-family mowers. The single-part starter for those models is the simplest budget route when only the rope mechanism has failed. Confirm the model and check fuel and spark first to avoid unnecessary parts.

Sources

• Safety guidance on power equipment and lawn mower operation (cpsc.gov)
• Workplace safety standards that apply to powered tools and handling stored energy (osha.gov)
• Engine and equipment efficiency information relevant to small-engine maintenance (energy.gov)

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• 5 Best Craftsman 140cc Lawn Mower Won't Start Replacement Parts Compared
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About Graham Fisher

Graham Fisher is part of our editorial team and reviews and edits our lawn mowers guides, checking product details against manufacturer specifications and owner feedback.