Cub Cadet 2185 Runs Very hot

[Dsolson]

I just bought this 1998 CC 2185 with 18HP Kohler Command - only 285 hours on engine. It starts good, runs pretty good in top half of throttle range, except surges some, especially when hot. Lost of power and HS transmission works great. The vertical section of exhaust pipe and muffler gets red hot at high RPM. Cleaned out debris under shrouds with compressed air. Changed gas to 89 octane and added Startron to gas to take out alcohol content. Replaced the fuel filter and hoses. Still running very hot. When pull choke out some, seems to remove some of the red glow on exhaust pipe, so I think running it must be running too lean.

I plan to have carburetor removed this weekend and have new carburetor kit installed. I notice many of these same 2000 series tractors have burn area in front lower left corner near pipe entrance into muffler and the lights in top area are missing (I believe they must have melted the lens glue) on most.

Does anyone know the solution to this apparent common problem on these 2000 series cub cadets?

 

[KennyV]

Hello & WELCOME to LMF...

From your description I think you may have it... Running too Lean will really run Hot...
The main jet could be partially plugged or the float level could be too low... may have an air leak between the engine and the carb...
If it is not one of the above... then I would check the timing.. flywheel key slightly sheared... I think you are going to find it in or around the carb... :smile:KennyV

 

[Black Bart]

Hello & WELCOME to LMF...

From your description I think you may have it... Running too Lean will really run Hot...
The main jet could be partially plugged or the float level could be too low... may have an air leak between the engine and the carb...
If it is not one of the above... then I would check the timing.. flywheel key slightly sheared... I think you are going to find it in or around the carb... :smile:KennyV

I agree with Kenny the fact that pulling the choke helps proves it is lean.

 

[Dsolson]

Thanks for your feedback. I will report back once we have completed the carburetor kit and have checked valves. I have read that fly wheel timing issue is very rare and unlikely, but will not rule that out. More to come as I learn more. Any more ideas or thoughts are welcome.

 

[benski]

Thanks for your feedback. I will report back once we have completed the carburetor kit and have checked valves. I have read that fly wheel timing issue is very rare and unlikely, but will not rule that out. More to come as I learn more. Any more ideas or thoughts are welcome.

Nothing new to add here, my vote goes to a lean condition caused by carburetor issues as well. The only thing that I would also check is that your spark plug is the correct one, though I doubt that this would be the cause. Since you don't have much history on the machine, it might be worth a check anyway.

 

[Dsolson]

New Carburetor kit seems to have helped a lot. Surge is now gone. Mush smoother idle. Carburetor was pretty dirty and main jet was clogged. Still runs hot, but exhaust pipe at entrance into muffler is not as bright red as was before. I am guessing that this is a normal condition on these 18 HP Kohler Command engines.
Most pics I see of these 1998 vintage 2185 mowers are missing headlight assemblies - likely because they are right in front of exhaust pipe and the heat destroys. I understand the lens is glued onto the housing/reflector assembly which can't likely handle the heat either.

I am interested in any other comments. Thanks for everyone's input thus far.

 

[billatstarbrite]

"added Startron to gas to take out alcohol content"

Star Tron does NOT remove alcohol or otherwise neutralize it. Nothing can do that. The enzymes in Star Tron will help keep a fuel delivery sytem clean and they do allow the fuel to burn more completely (thus cleanly) but nothing can "remove" alcohol from E10.

Bill at Star brite (the manufacturers of Star Tron)

I just bought this 1998 CC 2185 with 18HP Kohler Command - only 285 hours on engine. It starts good, runs pretty good in top half of throttle range, except surges some, especially when hot. Lost of power and HS transmission works great. The vertical section of exhaust pipe and muffler gets red hot at high RPM. Cleaned out debris under shrouds with compressed air. Changed gas to 89 octane and added Startron to gas to take out alcohol content. Replaced the fuel filter and hoses. Still running very hot. When pull choke out some, seems to remove some of the red glow on exhaust pipe, so I think running it must be running too lean.

I plan to have carburetor removed this weekend and have new carburetor kit installed. I notice many of these same 2000 series tractors have burn area in front lower left corner near pipe entrance into muffler and the lights in top area are missing (I believe they must have melted the lens glue) on most.

Does anyone know the solution to this apparent common problem on these 2000 series cub cadets?

 

[EngineMan]

Did you reajust the settings on the carb..?