149 didn't want to start today
 

I switched hours at work and haven't gotten much seat time lately. It has been about two weeks since I started my 149. I tried to start it and it cranked fine but wouldn't start. Not even a sputter. I took the plug out and there was spark. I was lazy and instead of unhooking the fuel line I sprayed a little carb cleaner and it kicked right off and ran fine for me. I even restarted it a few times with no problem. Any ideas?? When I first started playing around with it a couple years ago I had the same issue and a buddy lapped the valves for me. It had started great since then until today. Thanks for any ideas, Mark

Sounds like a fuel problem to me. Fuel line clogged?

Do you have fuel in the tank? Second, is the fuel line ON? Ask me how I know....

I have had the same problem with one of my 129's the past couple of months. I have had mine outside (ran out of garage space for it) and it has been dry here, so I figured after I shut off the fuel (has a brand new petcock on it), the remaining fuel in the line dried up and left an air pocket in the line. So, it doesn't kick on until I "prime the pump" with some carb spray. My 149 sits right next to it outside,with a leaking petcock and it starts just fine.....that is why I am assuming it is the emptiness of fuel in the line. However, with the newer fuel out there.....who knows! Thanks for asking a really good question....Maybe I'm doing something wrong.

Cub Cadet 123

Yeah, there was plenty of fuel in the tank and the valve is turned on. It ran great after I started it. If it happens again I am going to remove the line and try blowing it out like suggested. I was curious cause I have heard that using carb cleaner and started fluid is hard on the engine? Thanks again, Mark

I have heard the same thing about starter fluid and carb cleaner. But thinking about it, it might have come with two stroke engines. It is lacking the oiling properties that a 2 stroke needs.

I have used carb and choke spray to help start a stubborn kohler engine and never had the first problem with it.

Cub Cadet 123

I never recommend using starting fluid. Here's why. Yes it is hard on an engine. Starting fluid ignites at a much lower temp than other fuels. It also burns much faster. Inside an engine, that means a much bigger bang at first with less power produced. Most of the time engines that won't start are older and worn out. Sometimes the piston or rotating assembly can't handle the bang. Result: broken piston, rod or crank. Also, when the engine still wont fire off on starting fluid, the user thinks, "well it must need more either" and keeps spraying. If an engine won't start, then there is something wrong. FIX IT! I have seen more than one engine grenaded on starting fluid. USE AT YOUR OWN RISK!!

Well I am stumped. The 149 didn't want to start again today. I took the fuel line off and blew it out. I am getting good fuel to the carb. It still wouldn't start when I reconnected the line. Next I took the carb off and blew it all out. Still no start. Finally I gave up and sprayed a little more carb cleaner and then the engine fired right up and I ran the tractor for about 30 mins no problem. Could there be any more problem with the valves again? I know I said a friend lapped them bu could it need it again? Maybe it wasn't done properly? Any other ideas? Thanks, Mark

Bad gas. Weak spark. Low compression. My suggestion is check spark.

Check the spark as far as what? I could see the plug sparking when I cranked the engine. Sorry for my ignorance. Can I put in some additive Incase of bad fuel? My other tractor seems to be running fine out of the same gas can. Thanks

Do you have a fuel filter on it? My 129 was having the same problem as you have described and I wore the battery down trying to start it. It ran for a moment until all of the fuel burnt out of the carb. The next day, I filled the tank up to the halfway mark after the petcock was turned on and allowed the fuel to soak into the filter (I think it dried out), one shot of carb cleaner and it started right up and ran fine, too. Make sure you have plenty of fuel in the tank if you have a filter on your fuel line. I use Marvel Mystery Oil and Startron (most of the time) to my fuel.

Cub Cadet 123

The spark should be a nice pretty blue. It should be coming from the center of the electrode and hit on the tip of the ground arm. If it isn't coming from the electrode, get a new plug. Spark plugs are cheap, and easy to try. Check to make sure the plug wire isn't corroded at either end. When was this tractors last full tune up?

First, thanks for all the suggestions. I replaced the plug today with a known good one. No help. Next while I was cranking the engine I placed my hand over the carb and there seemed to be enough suction. While cranking, I shined a flashlight into the carb but could not see any fuel spraying or even any moisture. I sprayed a shot of carb cleaner in and it fired right up and I ran it around the yard for about 20 minutes at varying throttle positions. Ran fine. Started back up twice with no issue. I haven't changed the fuel filter in about a year. I am starting to wonder if it could be partially plugged? It isn't a paper element but one of those little triangle shaped that looks like a gold stone in it. I also added sea foam and carb cleaner to the fuel tank before I tried to start it. I almost always use star-tron. Would a cranking engine not be able to pull fuel through a partially plugged filter like a running one would? Off to the store for a filter. As always, any ideas are appreciated. Mark

If it were mine, I would take the high speed needle out (screw it in all the way while counting the revolutions so you know where to "set" it when you put it back).

Clean out all of the little holes in the sides of the needle (top and bottom) then make sure the passageway between the holes is also clear.

change the filter, make sure there is no junk in the tank, clean the carb passages and hope for the best

Ok guys, Tomorrow I am going to take the high idle screw out and clean the passages as suggested. Hopefully that will work. The fuel filter did not help. Anyway, I am not familiar with carbs but I am mechanically inclined. Can someone please tell me why if the passages in the needle were blocked or partially blocked how does that affect starting but it runs fine once I get it started? Thanks, Mark

Tore the carb apart yesterday. I took the high and low speed needle out. I blew everything out with air like last time. I also sprayed it out with a can of brake cleaner. Finally!! I saw a bunch of debris on my worktop! I put it all together and it started under its own fuel! Had to tweak the needle settings but its running fine now. Let it sit for 2 hours to cool off and it started again no problem. This morning I started it again after it sat all night. Fired right up! Thanks for all the help. I guess sometimes just compressed air won't do the job. Mark

Great news! :beerchug: