I need help with a 3165
 

Hi Everyone,
First let me tell you I am female who knows little about lawn equipment, but I own 2 cub cadets - a 3165 lawn tractor and a RZT50 lawn mower. Both of them have some age on them.

The problems I have with the 3165 is that it won't got into reverse - it has little hours on it less than 500, and I don't think it is the transmission. I have investigated the bushings on the reverse pedal as one possible source, but would like to know if there might be some other issue that I could explore. It also leaks oil and I changed the gaskets but that did not stop it. It was run into a ditch and I'm wondering if maybe the head might have cracked. Any information you can give me will be greatly appreciated

The 3165 was purchased in 1998 and the 3165 has been well cared for, other than running into the ditch and getting stuck a few times a

I'm going to be honest with you, I have to go to YouTube to watch the videos in order to do anything to the mowers and even then I have a difficult time as I am not familiar with the terminology in repairing these things, but I am trying. I can't afford to take them to the Cub Cadet dealership for repairs and have to fish these things out for myself.



Thanks for your help.
Kidwellsped:bigthink:

Welcome to OCC...:Welcome2:

I split up your thread and placed the equipment in the proper section so you can have the better exposure.

BTW...the 3165 is a Garden Tractor.

Thank you. Where did you post them so I can check for the responses. Again, thank you.:Thanks::Thanks:

The 3165 is in the CCC/MTD section and the RZT50 is in the RER section.

when you step on the reverse pedal all the way, at the same time, reach down and try to lift UP on the forward pedal and see if it starts to go in reverse

I will try this tomorrow and thanks. I will let you know what happens. Thanks again!:):)

You say it leaks oil...... from the engine? Or the trans? A cracked head could make it leak, but it would make it not run. Unless it's a tiny crack.... But I'm doubting it. Valve cover gaskets are a common leak spot. A cracked head is unlikely.

As far as the no reverse problem, I assume you mean that it doesn't to anything when you push on the pedal? Sounds like a linkage issue.

Big thumbs up on not being afraid to jump in and 'figure it out'. Whether by necessity or not.

Go forward with the confidence that there is pretty much nothing you can find that you wont be able to work through with the generosity of knowledge here. (but we do like pics!!) Lots of pics!

Good luck!

"In a dark place we find ourselves, and a little more knowledge lights our way" -Yoda

Where are you in NC? Maybe one of the members can give you a hand.

Tom, it works!!!!!!! When I pulled up on the forward pedal the tires started spinning in reverse - I was so happy that I nearly cried! Can you tell me what is wrong with it and how do I fix it. They probably have a video on youtube if you can get me headed in the right direction. Thanks a bunch!!!!!!!:ROTF1:

Hi J-Mech, thank you so much for for responding. The oil looks like it is coming from the left head around the exhaust port. I have put new gaskets on it thinking that might be what is causing the issue but it didn't stop the leak. Any suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
:bigthink:

This is a link to Parts Tree showing the linkage that controls the transmission. My guess is that most of the plastic bushing that MTD used are worn out so when step on the pedal all of the movement is taken up by the play in the linkage.
http://www.partstree.com/parts/?lc=c...&dn=0051500004

I live in Four Oaks, NC and we have several dealerships here but they charge $70 an hour to work on them. Loading these monsters up is hard, I will be 64 in September, and then you get a bill for a couple hundred dollars after they work on it. I was taking it to them and when my last repair bill was over $600 I said I just can't afford it - I needed a new vacuum to propel the blades and then there was the bill over $200 to replace the bearings and that was just in the past year. I now go to youtube for visual assistance and check for parts online at ebay and other sources as well as attempt to research what might be causing the problems.

You guys have been so helpful because now I have someplace I can go to explain my issue and get some knowledgeable assistance in diagnosing the problem and trying to fix it. That helps bunches - once I know what might be wrong with it helps me in finding parts and videos online. Please keep up the good work and thank you for having this site online for people like me. :beerchug:

Thank you so much Sam. You are a blessing! :beerchug:

Do you think maybe you can take a picture and upload it of the oil leak? That would help determine where it might be coming from. If you aren't sure how to upload, here is a link on the site that helps explain it.

I put on the rocket cover gasket which is supposed to be the valve gasket - part number bs 806039s and I also put new cylinder gaskets on which is parts number bs 806085s. The garden tractor has two heads-one on the right and one on left and I replaced both sides. do you think it needs a new valve or something like that? It starts and runs but is leaking oil.:bigthink:

I do not know. I am familiar with the engine, but without seeing it, it's hard to say. A picture of the leak would really help.

I sure can. I will take the photo tomorrow and send it to you. Thank you so much.

Sam, thanks for the link and when I chatted with cub cadet for the part they gave me a parts number of 741-3074 but it does not say bushings it says
Bearing, Flange. This is what I mean by being confusing - it a bearing flange the same thing as a bushing? Wouldn't it be nice if everyone spoke the same language. lol

Thanks again for your help.

I'm learning theses machines myself, but like others said the reverse problem is the cheap plastic bushings. My 3205 & others had same issue. You can get the $2 worth of bushings at the dealer for the bargain price of around $30. They can print a diagram to show you where they go. Dealer talked me into the metal bushings too, another $30, but did not need or use and returned.
There's also a neutral adjustment to avoid creeping in neutral. Jack up right side, remove rear wheel and you'll see a round hole forward of the rectangular ones. Loosen with 1/2" socket w/ extension. Carefully start motor, move to full throttle. Move the lever forward or rearward to find neutral. There's a little leeway to favor either forward or reverse too to help increase speed in desired direction. *( the instructions say set park brake & remove brake linkage on right side. However I did not need to do that). Chocking the wheels should be sufficient. The hub with tire removed will spin only.
Again I'm still learning. Texas Tom , Sam Mac , Oak & Jmech are very knowledgable. & would recommend there advice.

Here's a link that may be helpful too
http://service.mtdproducts.com/Train.../770-10227.htm

Unfortunately I've not seen too many vids on repairs here or YouTube. It would be nice to see more members take the time and effort to make & post more repair vids:BangPC:. Pictures are Good ! Videos are great!!

Kidwellsped, welcome to the best site on the net for Cub repair! I just ordered part #41 & 42 today for one of my machines. They are a plastic type bushing or bearing and this is what they look like.
Attachment 54730

I will take some detailed pictures for you when I replace mine.

The engine has me worried with the oil leak. There is a breather assembly under the air cleaner that could be causing your problem. It would be great if you could post a picture of it.

'


Hi Oak,
Okay, I went and cranked the 3165 and it back fired and then wouldn't start again. I checked spark plug and it and it had oil on it. It looks like the oil is going into the carborator. I am going to wash the carborator out and put in new spark plugs and see what happens. I'm sorry, but I really have no idea what I am doing here - just bear with me as I continue on. This is going to take me a few days as I move with caution since I don't even know what I am looking at most of the time - that is why the videos and diagrams help me, but the videos help me because I can see the various steps - it sure looks easy when someone else is doing it. Based on this information what do you think might be the issue?

The guy gave me the number 42 do I need the number 41 also? I don't want to tear this thing apart and end up having to tear it down again since it will take me forever to get all these pieces put back together again. I was going to get #42 but will get both of them tomorrow and put them both on. This is going to be a week project I can tell. I appreciate your sharing your expertise with me - I have the patience of Job (I am retired special education teacher), but bite off a little more than I can chew in day at times.
Thanks for your help.:beer2:

Hi Chetman,
The videos I watch aren't even Cub Cadet - I think I have seen a few of them with Cub Cadet repairs, but mostly they are other brands. I will go back through my list when I get time and post the ones that showed me how to replace the gaskets, but I know they were not Cub Cadet mowers. I'm not sure if you want other brands on the site or not, just let me know.

The videos are good because you get to see how they take the things apart, make the repair and then put it back together before you even get started. I am a visual learner and learn a lot more from a video than I do reading - besides, reading some of these things is like learning a foreign language with the mechanical nomenclature - sometimes I feel like I am on another planet that doesn't speak my language. lol

When I get the 3165 repaired I will take a photo and post it on site. I will try to take photos of the repairs, but I'm sure you know your hands are not always the cleanest when working on these oily things - everything is either oiled or greased!

Thanks,
:beerchug:

J Mech,
I am going to clean it up tomorrow and try to get it going again, but this is the current issue with the oil.

I went out and cranked the 3165 and it back fired and then wouldn't start again. I checked spark plug and it and it had oil on it. It looks like the oil is going into the carborator. I am going to wash the carborator out and put in new spark plugs and see what happens or what do you suggest? I will send you photos when I get it cleaned up so you can see what is happening.
Thanks, :beerchug:

Kidwellsped, if you can remove the pedals and get the center pan off, it makes a lot easier to locate & get to the plastic bushings. It's not as hard as it looks. Remove the center screen them I think either 6 or 8 bolts and it comes off.4 on the back & 2 in front.and 2 under rubber foot pads. Just look, you'll see them.
Attachment 54733

Hi Oak,
I ordered 41, 42, and 43 but they won't be here until first of week - it was cheaper for me to order from local cub cadet than order online and since they are all plastic I decided to replace them all if I am going to to replace one.

Now on the breather - the head gaskets were easy because I was looking at a big thing and could do that easily. I looked up breather on the internet and that might be what my problem is since the oil is getting into the carb. I then went to Cub Cadet and asked for breather gasket number and they gave me BS-8444986 which I think might solve my issue. The problem is where does the crazy thing go. On the cylinder assembly it shows it but it doesn't show where it is on the cylinder or the breather - where ever that may be on the cylinder. I pulled the book on up and can't find it there either. I am trying to think of this as a puzzle and will be okay if only I could identify what I am looking at I will be able to put it all back together. What I may do is take the print out to Cub Cadet when I pick up the parts and ask them where the crazy thing goes and how to remove it - yes, that is what I will do and then I can discuss in more detail the issue - if only I were a bit more, a lot bit more, small engine literate. :bash2:

Thanks,
Kidwellsped