1641 with some issues
 

Hello fine folks,

I'm new to the forum, and Cub Cadet family. My dad bought a new mower recently, and handed over his '92 1641 to me. It has the 16HP Vanguard engine. It was smoking pretty badly, and going through oil fast. He had already replaced gaskets around the valve covers. Thanks to this forum, I narrowed the oil down to the oil fill tube. There was no o-ring on the cap, and the threaded one at the bottom was rotted out.

So I had it running, mowed my yard, and my sisters twice, oil issue seems better. Started up last Tuesday, after putting a new belt on it, ran maybe one, and half lap, and it didn't sound right. When I would switch on the PTO, it seemed real hard on the motor. I shut it off right away. Saw metal shavings in the front. Pulled the PTO yesterday, and found the bearings shot. I went ahead, and bought a PTO for $200. Put it in, no problem.

Somehow, in the meantime, I got a new problem. Went to start it up today, but it just won't. Turns fine. I thought it wasn't getting spark, but that seems fine. It's like it isn't getting any fuel? I took the air filter off, and if I add gas directly to the carb, it will run, but sputter out, as soon as it burns off. I seem to be getting good flow, but can't figure out the problem.

Sorry for writing a book here, but I'm at a loss. Was running great, other than the smoke a couple weeks ago. Maybe someone has already addressed this, and I've missed it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Neil

:Welcome2:

If you can pour gas in the carb and it runs, then it isn't getting fuel.

Could be:
*Plugged fuel filter
*Bad fuel pump
*Plugged fuel line
*Gunk in the tank (plugged outlet)
*Plugged carb
*All the above

Probably time to pull the fenders, tank, carb and do a complete fuel system flush. I recommend replacing the fuel lines, filter while your at it. You can try blowing out the lines and see if that fixes it, but usually this is just an indication that there is either crap in the fuel system, or a part failure. Better off to do the flush and head off future problems. That way, she runs when you need it. :beerchug:

Welcome to OCC!:beer2:

I'm wondering if when you changed the PTO you somehow got the fuel shutdown solenoid for the carb disconnected?

That was my thinking.

Neil

See if you can hear a click under the air cleaner when you turn the key to the run position. Don't crank it just to run and let us know what happens.

Welcome to OCC! Good luck with your 1641. :beerchug:

I don't know if I had it disconnected, but it was definitely not clicking. I took the air filter off, and listened to the carb. no click. I took the top of the carb off, and saw what I believe is the solenoid. (forgive me, I'm pretty green on small engines) I took out the floater, and poked around with a screwdriver, gently. It moved a little. I turn the key to "on" position, and sure enough, it clicks, and moves back.

I put the carb back together, and she fired right up! I mowed the whole lawn this morning, with no problems, before work! I may still take apart some of the fuel lines etc... just to be sure nothing is clogged. Should I take apart the solenoid to clean?

I think I attached a couple pictures one is of the 1641 (not a very good one, I was actually trying to get the deer in the background.) The other is the PTO.

I forgot to mention. I think I may have had some bad gas. Aside from the tacos I had eaten (drumroll...), I had used a old can I had. I drained the tank, and put new stuff in it.

Could the bad gas, have cause the solenoid to act up?

Thank you so much guys! My dad got this tractor new in '92. You all have already helped me get it running better. It's fun, especially since I spent many hours on this thing as a teenager, whether mowing, or pushing snow, when we lived in West Michigan.

Neil

Great news! Glad you got your 1641 running. Bad gas isn't good for an engine.