New member with problems on his 2500 series
 

Hi all,

My family has owned Cub Cadets ever since I can remember. And now I own one! :) I'm hoping someone can help me out on here, I've never had a serious problem with my CC rider mower before, but yesterday I checked the oil (as I always do - and it was fine), and started mowing. Hadn't mowed due to rain here in Indiana for about a week and a half. Something was sounding funny in the engine, but I thought it was due to not having run it a while...my wife came home and took over (takes an hour and half to mow here) and it just up and died on her. I went out to check and saw some white smoke coming from the engine, I immediately checked the oil and the dipstick was clean showing no oil. This confused me b/c when I had checked the oil before I started it was fine. Well, I went back up to the barn and got more oil, poured another bottle in there and knew that had to be enough to finish off our backyard and get it to the barn again where I could check more on it through the week, but then she got a half-way around the backyard and it up and died again. Now when I tried to start it and it just kept trying to turn over but wouldn't kick. Checked oil again - nothing, despite pouring that whole bottle in. My intention now was just to start it enough to get it to the barn but that wasn't happening and I noticed too, when trying to start it now, there was a loud 'rotational' clang-banging coming from deep inside the engine.

I'm happy to answer any questions, but is there anything anybody could suspect the problem here is? Never had a problem with my Cub Cadet before and I do try to take good care of it.

:Welcome2:

:Welcome2:
:Cub2:

You didn't mention anything about a leak....?

Just based on what you said.....toast.

Sorry man.

If you haven't lost a rod you will and you'll likely punch a hole when she goes. If you can't handle the rebuild yourself....I'd hate to see the shop bill.

Might want to look for a replacement engine.

Scott


edit:

Something like this I suspect-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=330433674168

The drain plug didn't fall out did it?

Nope, no leak that I could see. When I poured that bottle in I did go back to look at the ground and nothing. I traced my wife's path too, and nothing. All the caps and plugs are in place. I wonder too what could have caused this (whatever is wrong) to begin with?

I probably shouldn't have used "clang-banging" as the description. It sounds more like a belt or something being whipped around inside the engine on a rotation than anything actual metal.

Would this be a tough problem if I were to tackle it on my own?

You gotta figure out where that oil went first. :HeadScratch:

First things first. Where did the oil go? I would let it sit and cool down and then check the oil level. Pull the dipstick out and wipe it clean and replace it and pull it again and then check it. Next, drain the oil if there is any remaining. Look to see if there is debris in it, i.e. metal shavings, does it smell burnt, etc. Next, remove and replace the oil filter. Refill and then try to start it. If it starts, listen for any noise. If there is any noise, shut it down immediately. More than likely the engine is toast at this point, but why make that assumption until you know for sure.