Hard start

esox07 · Mar 25, 2019

I know this is old, but I went through this with my Cub Cadet LT1045. I had to crank it for about a minute total, on and off before it would pop off and when it did, it ran great. But on cold start, it always took wayyyy too much cranking. I replaced the battery, fuel filter, fuel pump, and other things trying to figure it out. If I sprayed a bit of gas into the carb and then started it, it would pop right off.
The problem was the fuel cut off solenoid on the bottom of the carburetor bowl. It was toast and block flow to the carb when I turned the key on. I replaced it this morning and after two years of this problem, I have my old lawn tractor back.

The part was $10.50 on amazon.com for aftermarket.

sdcarter00 · Mar 25, 2019

Was it hard to replace this part?

esox07 · Mar 25, 2019

very easy. Just disconnect red lead wire, then unscrew it from the carb with (I think) 1/2" open end wrench. Put the new one in, reconnect the wires and you are done. The original had just a red 12V+ wire that has an in line connection and the solenoid grounded through the body. The new ones have a 12v+ and 12V- wire. The red 12V+ goes to the same in line connection and the 12V- goes to a ground source. There was one right next to the carb that I used. That's it. Done. Once you get the shroud off so you can access the carb, it is as simple as replacing a spark plug really.