2010 LTX1040 problem

nofd410 · Apr 13, 2011

Hi all, I'm a new member and could use some advise, my Cub is running strange, the last 4 times I had to choke it to start, yesterday I had to choke awhile to get it to run, while I was cutting the lawn the engine idle was almost killing and then raise to normal and then back to almost killing and this continued until I stopped, does anyone recognize this problem, I would appreciate any advice, Thanks

JTKub · Apr 14, 2011

You should always have to use the choke to start a cold engine. After 5-10sec you should be able to ease the choke off and be good to go.

How old is the gasoline? If left untreated, gas left in the tank on the tractor will cause issues in as little as a few months.

Any stored gasoline has to be kept in SEALED storage containers. It's gotta be air tight. Fuel systems on equipment is not air tight. It breathes.

Joel

nofd410 · Apr 14, 2011

JTKub, thanks for the reply, the gasoline was new, I use my cub year round, we don't have much of a winter in the deep south, the fuel was fresh, air filter is clean, I thought maybe the fuel filter could be the problem but it has only been the second season with this 2010 Cub, today it seemed as if the battery was a problem, it was having trouble turning over but when it did it fired up. Now I'm going to take a better look at the battery...

bluechip · Apr 15, 2011

You might try a new spark plug.

Donsyl · Apr 16, 2011

JTKub is correct, you should always use the choke to start it....i am in the south like you and have to choke a cold engine to get it started....i had that problem this year with my cub not running right and i took the carb off and cleaned it.....runs like a champ now....good luck

nofd410 · Apr 18, 2011

Thanks guys, I'll give that a try..

tomamerjames · Apr 20, 2011

nofd410 said:
Hi all, I'm a new member and could use some advise, my Cub is running strange, the last 4 times I had to choke it to start, yesterday I had to choke awhile to get it to run, while I was cutting the lawn the engine idle was almost killing and then raise to normal and then back to almost killing and this continued until I stopped, does anyone recognize this problem, I would appreciate any advice, Thanks

All small engines should require choking to start them. What is srange is ou could ever readily start up without choking first. Most small engines are equipped with a govenor to control the throttle under heavy load conditions.
You are describing an engine that is hunting or cycling the RPM. This condition is usually related to the carb. Did you use fresh gas on top of old gas? I am veteran mechanic but I have committed this sin more than once.

nofd410 · Apr 20, 2011

the previous gas was fresh, as it lowered to 1/4 tank I added more fresh gas to top it off. I used it the other day and it ran fine until the I was close to finishing and it started running strange again but when I engaged the PTO it seemed to run ok , when disengaged the engine sounded as if it wanted to kill and then the engine would surge to normal..

Carl_NH · Apr 23, 2011

is this the Kohler or B&S engine? The B&S overhead valves need to be adjusted frequently (annually). My neighbor had a hard starting B&S and the valves were way out of adjsutment. If it seems to lock up when starting it may be the adjustment.

The other thing is the fuel cap vent - the tractor will run for a while then start to stall due to vacuum created in the fuel tank. Check the vent on the cap.