Cub Cadet Original 1962 K181 Breather Problem?

[sgraber]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Better post some pics of what you have.

FWIW, the reed valve assm can be installed backwards. That may in fact be the issue.

Okay here are pictures and video of everything that I am seeing with the breather and the oil dipstick:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/wn7QnMyYxgu0wFxj2

Please let me know if you need any close-ups of anything else. Thanks!

[J-Mech]

Ok, so I'm just a little confused. Were these pics taken when you first took it apart? Or the second time. Really hoping you say the first time.

Second, need to see some pics of the dipstick. Either than thing is shot like Tim said, or you don't have the correct one. Can't see it very well in the video, other than the fact it's jumping out.

[sgraber]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Ok, so I'm just a little confused. Were these pics taken when you first took it apart? Or the second time. Really hoping you say the first time.

Second, need to see some pics of the dipstick. Either than thing is shot like Tim said, or you don't have the correct one. Can't see it very well in the video, other than the fact it's jumping out.

Here are photos of the oil dipstick:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Bg0VhgtO6nkkr2h03

The photos were taken from the second time I disassembled it. That said I reassembled it exactly how I found it other than cleaning the breather hole.

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by sgraber

The photos were taken from the second time I disassembled it. That said I reassembled it exactly how I found it other than cleaning the breather hole.

I think the o-ring on the dipstick is shot. Should snap in pretty tight.


Ok.... so you took it apart twice now. This time, go buy a new set of gaskets for it and the carb mounting. You can't just put it back together. It won't seal. It will leak oil everywhere. On the carb, you will have a vacuum leak and it won't run right. Make sure that the flap on the reed valve isn't stuck shut. Clean it up good this time. Use some mineral spirits.

[darkminion_17]

You know that looks like a breather for a k91, got an engine tag on it?

[J-Mech]

Originally Posted by darkminion_17

You know that looks like a breather for a k91, got an engine tag on it?

Pretty sure all the K91's have an inverted (concave) dome don't they Lew? That one is convex, not concave.

[darkminion_17]

I see green paint, musta been in a green thing. Definitely not an original k161 in it.

[sgraber]

Originally Posted by darkminion_17

I see green paint, musta been in a green thing. Definitely not an original k161 in it.

Yeah, I wondered about that too. The engine's got green paint on it. Hmm...

[sgraber]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

Pretty sure all the K91's have an inverted (concave) dome don't they Lew? That one is convex, not concave.

Yes, it's definitely a K181. I pulled the number off the plate and looked it up.

[sgraber]

Originally Posted by J-Mech

I think the o-ring on the dipstick is shot. Should snap in pretty tight.

Ok.... so you took it apart twice now. This time, go buy a new set of gaskets for it and the carb mounting. You can't just put it back together. It won't seal. It will leak oil everywhere. On the carb, you will have a vacuum leak and it won't run right. Make sure that the flap on the reed valve isn't stuck shut. Clean it up good this time. Use some mineral spirits.

I will try widening those two fins on the dipstick to see if that'll help keep it in there. If not, I might just buy a replacement dipstick as there's a lot of slop when I move it around. It should fit in there tight, which it doesn't.

Yep, I knew I needed new gaskets as these tore pretty badly when I removed the parts. I quick put it back together to see if it fixed my oil dipstick problem (which it didn't). I'll pick up two for the breather, one for the carb, and one for the air cleaner.

Oh, the reed valve isn't stuck shut. I checked that this time around. Should I replace that filter media in the breather housing with new filter media? I've read some people use 3M scotchbrite pad pieces as replacement parts?

FYI I posted this question also on the farmallcub.com forum and the first poster said I needed a full engine rebuild as I was getting blow-by. Thoughts?