cub cadet xt1 lt42b brigs and Stratton engine struggles turning over and struggles starting

[woodstover]

One of the main reasons yearly maintenance prevents most problems is because you usually catch problems before they happen. Example: A drive belt that has cracks about every inch and needs to be replaced. Very few people seem to do yearly maintenance with their equipment, at least in my experience.

Yup, unless they are using equipment to make money, they see the value in preventative maintenance.

 

[rhkraft]

This is a classic valve adjustment issue. These engines have an extra mini lobe on the cam to partially open the exhaust valve when the engine is being turned over by the starter or rope. This is a compression release to make it easier to crank the engine. If the valve adjustment is too loose the cam won't open the exhaust valve enough to decrease the compression for easy cranking, and the compression is too high to crank over. The valve adjustment amount is very critical so read the specs (usually only .004-.005 ") When set right the engine will crank easily with the starter or a rope. This slight decompression is moot when the engine is running. I have fixed a lot of these. Even some where the owner put on a new starter without results. Good Luck!