Cub Cader

37 chief · May 25, 2022

A Cub Cadet I was given a few weeks ago at a mowing job, runs good. It has a 22 horse Kohler motor, with 68 hours. The problem I have the first start needs a shot of starting fluid. Then it starts fine. Any thoughts on what may be the problem? Stan

sourgum · May 25, 2022

There may be a clamp on the throttle cable right ahead of the carburator. The bolt holding the cable tight may have come loose , not closing the choke butterfly in the carburator. Check this throttle cable. If it is not set to close the butterfly in the carburator then not enough gas will get into a cold engine to start it.

RCP · May 26, 2022

Does the engine have a vacuum operated fuel pump? I have had issues with the pumps not working at cranking speed, but will work at operating speeds. When I have this issue, I install a small electric pump.

caterpillar guy · May 26, 2022

Pretty typical of gas engines. One of the reasons I hate gas engines. Diesels are much better working engines to me.

Russ from MN · May 26, 2022

Possibly some of the small passageways in the carburetor are slightly plugged, I would put some Sea-foam in it and use it. Our tiller with a Honda engine was like that this spring, Sea-foam cleaned it out. But like someone else said, check the choke cable first.

Steve@Advance · May 26, 2022

Could be the choke not fully closing, a leaking carb bowl, clogged carb, especially if it's been sitting a while.

Geo-TH,In · May 26, 2022

Stan
All small gas engines require choke to start.
Some may need a shot of starter fluid if not started for a while.
If your vacuum fuel pump has a long distance to lift the fuel it's typical you need a shot of starter fluid.

If the tank is about carb, you usually have little need for starter fluid. You may have the opposite problem. The carb will drip gas.

BarnyardEngineering · May 26, 2022

If it has one of those throttles where you push it all the way up to get choke, it's an adjustment.

My Briggs-powered Husqvarna was like that for years until I found a video on how to adjust it on youtube. It would cold start without ether but took a solid minute of cranking.

The dealer who sold it to me was supposed to fix it but never did.

Adjustment is simple. Push the throttle all the way up into choke position, go down on the carburetor and locate the choke lever (near the end of the cable). Loosen the clamp on the cable and push the choke as far toward the cable sheath as it will go and retighten.

MarkB_MI · May 26, 2022

Could be sticky valves from sitting so long. If that's the case it should get better the more you run it. A little Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas can help.

Also, if the engine has a fuel pump, you might try rebuilding the fuel pump. They tend to get gummed up if sitting too long.

Does it idle OK? If it won't idle, the idle passages in the carburetor are probably plugged up. They can usually be opened up with a fine wire.

JWinIndiana · May 26, 2022

Might check compression. If the rings are weak, they don't provide the suction to get the gas through the carb, atomized and into the cylinder.

Roger Tomfohrde · May 26, 2022

M18 on mine -been through the carb, fuel pump, plugs, ignition, etc. added a pump style primer on fuel line. The thing that helped the most was changing the battery cables and a new battery as it turns over a tad bit faster now and it might be the cranking speed all along.

kip78 · May 26, 2022

Does it have a wire to the bowl? The electric solenoids like to stick on those Kohler motors.

Cub Cader

37 chief

Well-known Member

sourgum

Member

RCP

Well-known Member

caterpillar guy

Well-known Member

Russ from MN

Well-known Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

Geo-TH,In

Well-known Member

BarnyardEngineering

Well-known Member

MarkB_MI

Well-known Member

JWinIndiana

Member

Roger Tomfohrde

Member

kip78

Member

Similar threads