Hello From Eastern PA with a 123
 

Hello,

Just joined today, so I thought I would say hi, I purchased a Cub Cadet 123 about a year ago. Came here because of some quirks I am having and am looking for some insight. Anyway Just thought I would say Hi and hopefully get pointed in the direction where I can find the most information about the 123 to help me keep it maintained and running.

I have no pictures just yet, but do have a video of my son giving it a go when we first got it which is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gGcGUivMOI

Love this little cub, from what I can tell it was built in 67, but still not 100% sure.

My biggest concern that I have with it, is the other day I was out mowing. I was out for about 45 min or so. Anyway it seemed that my deck was seizing up on it as it was having trouble engaging. When I would engage the deck it would bog the engine down to almost stall until I disengaged the mower deck. With the mower deck disengaged, it ran pretty normal it seemed, not any loss of power but a few misfires getting it back up to the garage, anyway when I shut it off it sounded as if the gas was boiling in the tank, engine seemed way to hot and I had a pretty strong steady stream of vapor coming out of the pin hole in the fuel cap.

Anyway, Ill get some pics posted up once I get her put back together, took it apart to explore how to break it apart as I discovered I have a bent drive shaft or worn out rag joint, and the transmission fan is gone. Parts wont be in for a week so going to have to do with out it and hopefully keep it going.

Anyway its great to be here, and Im looking forward to learning as much as I can about this great little cub.

A central PA welcome. I do not own a 123 but do own 2 102s. If you are bogging down that bad in my opinion something is wrong with the mower or a pulley on the mule drive. Trouble of that kind should be fairly easy to track down.

The deck should turn by hand easily- if not, it needs some attention. However, if the gas in the tank is boiling, the engine is overheating, and you need to stop running it until you figure out why before any (further) damage can occur. I would start by removing the engine tinwork and flywheel shroud and remove any grass, mouse nests, oily buildup, etc. and then make sure the timing is correct. I would also rebuild and readjust the carb if you have not previously. Air-cooled engines need to be run slightly rich. Check for a blown head gasket while you have all of the tinwork off. If there is oil between the head and block anywhere, you need a new head gasket too, and the head will likely need flattening.

So in summary, the lack of power is likely due to improper timing, and the overheating is likely being caused that, carb set too lean, cooling fins full of debris, or some combination of the three.

Thank you Paul and Matt, the deck does move freely, it was my first suspicion. I didn't check the pulley's on the mule drive though. I was hoping the cause of overheating was related to the fact I was running 10w 30 in it (or I should say adding to it, as im not sure what the previous owner used), Got a gallon of 30 weight and going to change the oil. The only thing I have done to it was replace the idler pulley on the mower deck this year as it seized on me end of last season.

I'm Set to dedicate some time to pulling the engine a part a bit today so Ill get her cleaned up and see what I can find, hopefully the head gasket isn't blown. I know the whole tractor is pretty dirty so a good cleaning won't hurt.

Nice to have you here at OCC! Hope you figure why the motor is over heating.
Any pictures of the tractor could be helpful. Thanks, John

Well after a closer inspection of the engine, I do see some dirt and oil build up around where the head is, so looks like tomorrow I will be ordering a head gasket. Going to adjust the timing and see if I cant get a carb kit as well. Those links are going to be very helpful Matt, really appreciate it thank you.

Thanks Johncub, Ill get some pictures up as soon I as I get it back together.

:Welcome2:

Sounds like your headed in the right direction.:beerchug:

Welcome from another eastern Pa cubber :beerchug:

I'm in Zionsville, just south of Allentown. What area you in?

Jeff

:Welcome2:

:Welcome2: Glad to have you!