I'm back! New 149 after a decade
 

It's been a decade or so since I've owned a Cub Cadet. But I started to get the itch a few weeks ago and purchased a 149. It's in need of some work. I've been feverishly reading through posts here and hope to try some things I've read in the forum. Thanks to everyone for the help and for keeping this forum alive all these years.

My 149 is only running when choked about 1/3. And dies down when under load. I feel like it runs hotter than I remember by previous 149 running, but that was so long ago I can't be certain.
This one wasn't run much by the previous owner over the past several years, so I'm going to start with replacing the carb with a cheap one I ordered online and see if that fixes the issue. My next step (if that doesn't work) will be to try a new ignition coil.

Does it sound like a reasonable troubleshooting path? I'm certainly no mechanic, so I'll be learning along the way.

Unless your existing carb has some type of corrosion or other damage, I'd be more inclined to simply put a rebuild kit in it and give it a thorough soak/clean. It's likely to be a better made piece of hardware than the online cheapos.

And, welcome back!

Make sure to keep your old carb. The Chinese ones are basically a crap shoot. You might get a good one, but most the time you do not.

Welcome back! If your cub hasn't run for a while or very often, the check your shields for build-up. It may be necessary to pull them off start your engine and run it for 30 seconds to blow out a latent mouse nest. Other than the balance gears, I think the 149 is an ideal machine. Congratulations on making that your coming back to cub.

Cub Cadet 123

I'll second the shrouding ! here's the nest in a fellows k301 I'm working on out of an older JD 210, blown head gasket likely due to overheating ?

Have seen a mouse nest or 2 but that one is a Beauty.

Ken

If it needs choke to stay running and runs hot, that sounds to me like it’s probably running lean. Worn out carb throttle shaft possibly? Or just a bad adjustment on the needles.

Definitely hold onto the existing carb if it’s an old one.