Cub Cadet 2185 vapor lock

[ytr1903]

I just discovered this great website a few minutes ago and immediately registered, so that I can post a question that has been driving me crazy for several years. My Cub Cadet 2185 stalls after about 30 minutes of mowing. I know it is not getting fuel since I actually carried around a can of starting ether with me last summer and as soon as the mower quit running, I sprayed ether into the carb and it started and ran just long enough to have the ether run out. Early on, I thought it may be the ignition coils that were overheating, so I replaced them. I have replaced the fuel filter with a factory fuel filter, I have run it with the gas cap loose to diagnose a plugged cap and eventually replaced the fuel pump. None of these have the slightest effect on the problem. If I run the mower slowly, I can avoid the situation. First of all, have I missed anything? Second of all, (and more bizarre) could I install an electric fuel pump at somewhere at the back of the mower to avoid the vapor lock altogether. I have used these pumps on several cars that I have owned and they work very well to avoid vapor lock. They are available at a 2-4 psi rating.
Help!!

Tom

 

[Fordlords]

One thing you might try here is replacing the carburetor's float needle. The end of it is rubber, and under the heat of high running speeds it could be expanding just enough to cut any fuel from getting into the float bowl. Just a thought, as I've never heard of vapor lock on an any small engine, or any engine that excusively uses rubber fuel lines. Even on old car engines that might vapor lock, it will only occur after trying to restart a hot engine that was shut down and not cause a running engine to stop. Your float height could be set improperly also. If that doesn't get it, try running cooler range plug(s).

-Fordlords-

 

[Bucky_O]

YTR,

I'm pretty sure it sounds like you have the same problem that drove me nuts for a year on mine. It ended up being the mechanical fuel pump mounted on the side of the engine. What was happening was that after 20-30 min of run time, the heat would cause the pump housing to expand enough that the "halves" would separate and draw air into the fuel system. On a whim, I replaced the pump ($22 at the dealer), and the problem was solved.

Try this....more than likely, this is your problem.

Regards,

 

[aaabelha]

I thought the same thing - the pump. But it looks like he already tried that too.

""I have run it with the gas cap loose to diagnose a plugged cap and eventually replaced the fuel pump.""

I'd try the float.