trouble starting new 1046

[05tundra]

I'm very disappointed in Cub Cadet/Kohler. My 1046 is approaching 2yrs of age and has 26 hours on the engine. After 7-10 days of non use, it won't start. The worst part about this, is that it started doing this within a few months after purchase. The engine will turn over until the battery is dead, but it won't start. The only way I can start it, is to spray a shot of carb cleaner in the carb throat. When I did take it back to the dealer, they couldn't find anything wrong with it. I wanted them to clean the carb but they said "cleaning the carb" wasn't under warranty and would charge me 30-40 dollars. I can't take it back to the dealer again because I am afraid that I will choke the manager. I've been running stabil in my fuel the whole time. Any ideas on what might be causing this? Thanks,

 

[pegleg]

I have the 1046 CC that is only one mowing season old. I have not experienced your problem as of yet anyhow. My problem is it runs to high on idle and the dealer says if it is touched it will void my warranty. I would love to get my hands on a tach that will do 2 cylinder engines to check what it is set at, at the factory. There is hardly any difference between idle and full throttle.

 

[Fordlords]

Yes, there is something wrong, those Kohlers should start up quickly even after sitting a while. Have them check the fuel shutdown solenoid first, then verify the choke is closing, then check the fuel filter and the pulse fuel pump.
The idle speed is a very simple adjustment screw, adjusting it will not void your warranty. On Kohler's website The Power More Professionals Demand - Kohler Engines you can look up and download the service manual for your perticular model of engine to set the idle speed, it should be around 1200 RPM. -Fordlords-

 

[pegleg]

The idle speed is a very simple adjustment screw, adjusting it will not void your warranty. On Kohler's website The Power More Professionals Demand - Kohler Engines you can look up and download the service manual for your perticular model of engine to set the idle speed, it should be around 1200 RPM. -Fordlords-

Fordlords,
Thanks for the manual information, it will be a great help. Now to get a tach and figure out what has to be removed to get to the adjustments.

 

[Fordlords]

There are a few cheap small engine tachs available, one common one is called the, "Tiny Tach," and is an easy find on E-bay. You would need this style:
eBay: KOHLER Small Gas Engine Tiny Tach Hour/ Tachometer R-2c (item 230018352736 end time Mar-11-07 15:43:55 PDT)

The idle speed is not all that critical, and you can really just guestimate the speed if you want. I usually adjust it by taking it down as low as it can go until the engine starts faltering, then turn it up until it smooths out again- basically as slow as I can go where it still runs smoothly. The Cub 1046 will use either a Nikki or Keihin carburetor, but the idle adjustment is the same on both carbs. -Fordlords-

 

[JTKub]

O5tundra, like fordlords says, kohlers usually snap right to attention, given they are started correctly. Full choke, part throttle, etc. Can you see fuel in the in-line fuel filter during the crank/no start condition? Kohlers fuel pumps are very sensative to the type of fuel filters used. I have heard of fuel starvation issues with aftermarket fuel filters. Also, can you get a visual of the choke closing?

Joel

 

[05tundra]

Yes, I can see fuel in the filter. As of yesterday, my cub hasn't been used in about 2-3 weeks. I used it yesterday and it took about 15 minutes to finally get it started (took several sprays of carb cleaner). I know that all you guys are loyal Cub owners but.....I'm not happy. I feel like selling this thing but would hate to dump this problem on someone else. If I take the carb apart, what should I be looking for?

 

[Dave01]

First see if the choke is closing correctly as others have suggested. Just take off the air filter and see if the butterfly closes when you pull out the choke. If this is OK, take a look at the spark plugs. I'd first pull the plugs, check the gap and adjust if needed, put the spark plug wires back on, then touch the threads to a metal engine part while cranking the engine. When you do this hold the plug with an insulated glove or a thick rag so you don't get shocked. You should see a solid spark when you crank.

If you have good spark, re-install the plugs and try starting, using full choke. After you have cranked quite a bit like you have been describing, turn off the key and pull the plugs again. Do they look wet or dry? If dry you have a fuel delivery problem. If they look wet you have an ignition problem.

I hope this helps, its a simple approach that might find a simple problem.

 

[05tundra]

Thanks for the info. But I'd be willing to bet the farm that it is some type of fuel delivery problem and not an ignition problem. The flap does appear to be working properly when choked. I'm no mechanical genius, but if I spray a type of starter fluid in the carb throat, this is what allows it to start. When it's running, it runs like a top. The day after I run it, it will fire right up. The problem I have seems to be caused by several days of non use. I wonder if some component in the card is sticking or something?

 

[keltonkrew]

sounds like a carb issue to me...maybe float?