Cub Cadet 3225 bogging down
 

So I got some good help a month or so ago when I was installing the motor on my Cub Cadet Model 3225 after being resealed. Hoping to get some more help.

Today my Cub Cadet 3225 lawn tractor while attempting to mow started bogging down. It has been running like a champ since being resealed.

1. If I have the mower deck engaged i cannot go more than 10-15ft without the mower bogging down really bad. This is occurring even if I am not attempting to cut grass (mower deck raised).

2. If I don't have the mower deck engaged I can move forward unless I try to go full speed forward or I am attempting to turn (at any speed).

Like I said it has been operating really well until today. I didn't recently get new gas, I checked the fluids, and made sure the carburetor and air filter were clean.

Two Cylinders? Both operating? Otherwise, could be lean condition.

What do you mean "resealed" ?

The motor had an oil leak so a local shop replaced a few of the seals which stopped the oil leak.

When running the engine sounds normal, so i would assume its running on both cylinders?

Assume nothing! Verify! Both sides should have spark and good compression.

Agreed.. They can run on one cylinder without load and sound "normal"

Have not been able to check compression (don’t have to tool yet to do it). I did change plugs and fuel filter today to see if that would help which is did not. I did however notice that even if the tractor is not moving forward and I turn the wheels to max either direction this will also cause the motor to bogg down. Not sure if this helps determine anything?

Both sides are getting spark. However while it is running if I pull the right spark plug nothing changes. If I pull the left plug it shuts the mower off.

Having one side not getting spark would be better news.......... since you got spark on both sides, ummm..... I suggest you stop running that thing and figure out whats going on with that right side. I would hope you have good compression on that side. This is a big need to know!

I will have a compression test gauge in a day or so (borrowing one). To be proactive if I have good compression what could be the next step and conversely if I don’t have good compression?

pull the right valve cover and see if it has both valves moving up and down . it might have had a push rod jump out of place . the bolts that hold the rocker arms down might have stripped the threads out of the head

Was able to compression test it today left side was 175 right side 155. But I don’t have the experience to determine what this test indicates.

Also pulled the valve cover and both are moving freely

Sounds like you have a weak coil on the right side. I had a weak coil in a 2084. Doing similar to what you are describing.

Reveals condition of your valves, valve seats, and piston rings. It sounds to me that the right side cylinder is not wearing equally to the other. I would do a leak down test. :American Flag 1:

Well I replaced the ignition coil for the right side today which solved the problem! Thanks for all of the help.

I like happy endings. :beerchug:

[QUOTE=Sam Mac;498015]I like happy endings. :beerchug:[/QUOTE

Me too!:beerchug:

leakdown test would be a whole more accurate
 

could be broken rings or a valve problem, leakdown test tells all
Curt