EngineNoob
New member
Good afternoon - As my name states, I am very new to troubleshooting small engines, or any engines in general, but I'm starting to learn. I have a Cub Cadet garden tractor, (1998-ish) that has a Kohler CH22 engine. I am having trouble starting the tractor again after running it for 30 minutes or longer. I've done a bit of research, and I'm in the process of knocking out the easily fixed possibilities. I made sure it had plenty of gas and oil, tested the battery, starter, cleaned or replaced the air filter, etc. I have also tested the compression, and both cylinders are getting 80-90 psi. I just downloaded the manual, and it states that compression (tested on a warm engine) should be around 160 psi for Command Twin engines. I assume this is a Command Twin engine, being that there are two cylinders, one on each side. If they are indeed supposed to be 160 PSI, I think I just found my problem - Now I have to fix it, and I have no idea how to do that..
I also bought a feeler gauge, and both valves have no play in them whatsoever, and appear to be the same when the engine is both hot and cold. The spark plug on the same side as the valves was a bit fouled, so I cleaned it with with a wire brush. After doing so, I ran the mower for about 45 minutes to get it nice and hot (in the 90 degree weather), turned it off, and it started again just fine. My thinking is that something is fouling that specific spark plug too often, and I'd like to get it fixed, at least until the end of summer/mowing season. After that I'll be looking for a rebuilt engine to replace the current one.
Is there something else I should check? Am I on the right track investigating why that spark plug is getting fouled so often? It appears that the carburetor has also been replaced sometime recently, but I didn't do that so I can't say that with 100% accuracy. I initially thought maybe there was junk in the carburetor/fuel line, but if that were the case I would think that it would be harder to start after it's been sitting and all the gunk has settled. At any rate, I'm learning something new so any advice is greatly appreciated!
I also bought a feeler gauge, and both valves have no play in them whatsoever, and appear to be the same when the engine is both hot and cold. The spark plug on the same side as the valves was a bit fouled, so I cleaned it with with a wire brush. After doing so, I ran the mower for about 45 minutes to get it nice and hot (in the 90 degree weather), turned it off, and it started again just fine. My thinking is that something is fouling that specific spark plug too often, and I'd like to get it fixed, at least until the end of summer/mowing season. After that I'll be looking for a rebuilt engine to replace the current one.
Is there something else I should check? Am I on the right track investigating why that spark plug is getting fouled so often? It appears that the carburetor has also been replaced sometime recently, but I didn't do that so I can't say that with 100% accuracy. I initially thought maybe there was junk in the carburetor/fuel line, but if that were the case I would think that it would be harder to start after it's been sitting and all the gunk has settled. At any rate, I'm learning something new so any advice is greatly appreciated!
