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Craftsman (Cub Cadet) tiller won't start

#1

C

cupboy

Worked fine last year at this time. Replaced the spark plug, drained all fuel and put in fresh non-ethanol fuel and it just won't start. It doesn't even try to start. I may as well just disconnect the spark plug because I'd get the same response to pulling on the rope. And ideas on what to check?

A new tiller similar to this one costs $1,000 now. This one was around $700 or so when new and Home Depot had the Cub Cadet branded version until last year but they don't seem to have it this year.

Time to replace the motor again? It got replaced once under warranty but the warranty has expired.


#2

Craftsman Garage

Craftsman Garage

It is probably a clogged carburetor or no spark. Clean carb and test for spark. Does it run for a little bit with a little bit of gas poured into the carb?


#3

C

cupboy

I could try that but since it doesn't even try to start I'd probably go with the no spark theory. What parts would be involved if there is no spark?


#4

Craftsman Garage

Craftsman Garage

The coil could be bad since you've already replaced the sparkplug. Disconnect the kill wire to see if it's grounding out. Test for spark too.


#5

StarTech

StarTech

But if you have no idea how the engine actually works component wise it best you just take the equipment to a shop as just guessing and throwing parts at it can get very expensive.


#6

C

cupboy

Tried some starter fluid today. Did nothing. I removed the coil and ordered one from Amazon due on Friday. The closest store that had it in stock was 50 miles away.

So I'll be getting back to this Saturday or Sunday.


#7

Craftsman Garage

Craftsman Garage

StarTech: Don't throw parts at it. OP: -Throws parts at it- lol


#8

Craftsman Garage

Craftsman Garage

While you're waiting, you can check for a sheared flywheel key. This will cause the coil to spark at the wrong time and won't ever start. You could also put the old coil back on and disconnect the wire coming off it. It might start...


#9

S

slomo

Craftsman Garage said:
While you're waiting, you can check for a sheared flywheel key. This will cause the coil to spark at the wrong time and won't ever start. You could also put the old coil back on and disconnect the wire coming off it. It might start...
Click to expand...
It's on a tiller. Guess stranger things happen.


#10

S

slomo

How old was the fuel that was drained out? Last year? Cost is free.

You can remove the plug and test for spark by grounding out the plug threads. Do it in a dark'ish room. Cost is free.

Pull the kill wire off the coil as Craftsman Garage said. See if she fires off. Cost is free.

Do you have an old style fuel can or a newer one? Is the cap off of it in free air? Any dirt, grass, leaves, cigarette butts or small pebbles in the bottom of the can? Most people never check for a dirty fuel can that passes trash to the mower carb. Cost is free.


#11

Craftsman Garage

Craftsman Garage

Craftsman Garage said:
Hey, I've seen sheared flywheel keys on engines that weren't even attached to anything. Never hurts to check.
Click to expand...


#12

C

cupboy

re: Pull the kill wire off the coil as Craftsman Garage said. See if she fires off. Cost is free.

I wish he would have mentioned that before I uninstalled the coil. I guess I'll have to put it back on tomorrow and try that.


#13

C

cupboy

Well, test the new coil. No go. Besides coils and carburetor what else is there? There's some sort of electronic looking thing near the air filter. I will need to check to see what that is.

There's no way I am going to rent a trailer (twice) and haul this to a greedy repair shop. I'll just dismantle the thing and toss it all in the trash if that's how it all ends up. I got over 10 yrs. use out of it. Everything was fine until I started storing it outdoors == it was under a deck so that protected it somewhat but maybe the cold air got to it.

Lost 3 pieces of power equipment this season: A 5-year old string trimmer with wheels that I can't get parts for, a 35 year old John Deere edger that wouldn't start (worked fine last season), and now this 2011 tiller that won't start.


#14

Craftsman Garage

Craftsman Garage

Could we get some photos of your machine?


#15

C

cupboy

This is the problem right here. I need to get this part or de-rust the old one which is currently non-functional.


tiller spring.jpg


#16

C

cupboy

How this spring is installed defies all logic. The red line in the picture shows the path of the spring. Somehow the spring is supposed to push that piece to the right out, rather than pull it in. That's not normally how a spring works. Springs don't tend to push things out. Maybe I can find a video somewhere if I look long and hard.
tiller_defies_logic2.jpg

The circle indicates another spring-like piece which keeps the piece to the right pulled in, towards the left. Wow! This is very confusing. I'd sure like to see a working one in a video.

Here's a video for some other motor. There are some similarities but I will have to study it some more.


#17

StarTech

StarTech

Wait a minute. That spring you need is not the throttle spring but is the governor spring. The throttle spring is present in your picture. The part you circled is the governor bellcrank shaft which attaches to the throttle linkage via the boomerang metal piece

Can't look up the correct part number as you haven't gave us the model number.


#18

C

cupboy

I've already ordered the part.

Throttle Spring
Part #751-10664


#19

StarTech

StarTech

I give up...


#20

D

doughorn

Craftsman Garage said:
The coil could be bad since you've already replaced the sparkplug. Disconnect the kill wire to see if it's grounding out. Test for spark too.
Click to expand...
Very new here but I wanted to say that I have fixed several tillers, wood chippers, and even kerosene forced air construction heaters that when owners stored outside incurred mice damage and cracked parts from ice expanding (Northern Ohio). On the wood chipper (under the fuel tank) a mouse ate the insulation off of the kill wire grounding it out against the engine. I put heat shrink over it and issue resolved.


#21

R

RevB

cupboy said:
Worked fine last year at this time. Replaced the spark plug, drained all fuel and put in fresh non-ethanol fuel and it just won't start. It doesn't even try to start. I may as well just disconnect the spark plug because I'd get the same response to pulling on the rope. And ideas on what to check?

A new tiller similar to this one costs $1,000 now. This one was around $700 or so when new and Home Depot had the Cub Cadet branded version until last year but they don't seem to have it this year.

Time to replace the motor again? It got replaced once under warranty but the warranty has expired.
Click to expand...
cupboy said:
Worked fine last year at this time. Replaced the spark plug, drained all fuel and put in fresh non-ethanol fuel and it just won't start. It doesn't even try to start. I may as well just disconnect the spark plug because I'd get the same response to pulling on the rope. And ideas on what to check?

A new tiller similar to this one costs $1,000 now. This one was around $700 or so when new and Home Depot had the Cub Cadet branded version until last year but they don't seem to have it this year.

Time to replace the motor again? It got replaced once under warranty but the warranty has expired.
Click to expand...
Pull plug check for spark. Drip a few drops of gas in the plug hole, insert plug and see if it tries to fire.


#22

T

tank1949

Check compression to be within specs. Ground plug and have a friend crank motor while you check for spark between plug's gap. If OK, pour a spoon full of gas down carb's throat and crank. If all ok, then take it to a shop....


#23

G

Gord Baker

StarTech said:
But if you have no idea how the engine actually works component wise it best you just take the equipment to a shop as just guessing and throwing parts at it can get very expensive.
Click to expand...
If it doesn't fire with Quick Start then it is an electrical issue. If it fires and quits, a fuel issue.


#24

mpqualdie

mpqualdie

cupboy said:
Worked fine last year at this time. Replaced the spark plug, drained all fuel and put in fresh non-ethanol fuel and it just won't start. It doesn't even try to start. I may as well just disconnect the spark plug because I'd get the same response to pulling on the rope. And ideas on what to check?

A new tiller similar to this one costs $1,000 now. This one was around $700 or so when new and Home Depot had the Cub Cadet branded version until last year but they don't seem to have it this year.

Time to replace the motor again? It got replaced once under warranty but the warranty has expired.
Click to expand...
I had a similar issue with mine. I just bought a brand new carburetor for it on Ebay. It was only like $28, never ran better. You said you put new non-ethanol fuel in it, did it have regular fuel in it before? I knew mine was the carb because I could prime it and it would run. if it won't run on starter fluid, the carb isn't the issue. I don't know what motor you have on it.


#25

S

Sandbuster

I never saw where you said if it was a "cranking issue" or cranks but won't light off? Did you get it fixed yet - if yes tell us what was the issue. Also, if it happens to be a Kohler engine I have a very good idea what it might be - as far out as this may sound take your valve covers off and check for popped push rods - very common on these engines.


#26

Craftsman Garage

Craftsman Garage

@StarTech Me too. Its hard to work with some people.


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