Cub Cadet Exhaust Issue

AyatinGL · #1 03-23-2016, 05:12 PM

Good afternoon.

I recently bought a Cub Cadet 1650 with 16hp Kohler 341. I am not sure if I'm the only one that is experiencing this but it seems that a good amount of exhaust ends up blowing back at me, whether the wind is blowing or as I drive forward. This can make me nauseous at times if I'm not careful about not breathing it in. I doesn't surprise me since the exhaust is blow straight in front of the tractor. If the exhaust hangs in the air - then you just drive into it. And, based on my cursory research online - exhaust is about 97% the same weight as air so it basically does not rise. So, I'm thinking of customizing the exhaust to shoot it up in the air and away from me - similar to this: http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pro...1?cm_vc=-10005. I don't want to buy that exhaust as it's too big - but provided the link just to give you an idea of the shape of exhaust I want - up and away from me.

My Craftsman LT3000 riding mower also shoots it out front - but it's like 6" off the ground - and also shoots it out the sides...not straight out in front of me at chest level. And, I don't have any problems with breathing that in. So, also wondering if this engine will always generate more fumes, being built in the late 70s, when compared to a riding mower built in 2007.

Has anyone else had exhaust issues and how did you remedy them? Any help with remedying the exhaust issue, including instructions and possible parts lists to create a custom exhaust stack, would be greatly appreciated!

R Bedell · #2 03-23-2016, 05:59 PM

How about opening the hood and taking a picture of the front of the engine so we see what is going on...????

Mike McKown · #3 03-23-2016, 06:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AyatinGL

G

Has anyone else had exhaust issues and how did you remedy them? Any help with remedying the exhaust issue, including instructions and possible parts lists to create a custom exhaust stack, would be greatly appreciated!

Back when I used to use a Quiet Line tractor to cut grass, I noticed the same issue. My exhaust(s) were in place as was the side panels. I came close to making a pipe that went down and under the front axle but never got around to it before I changed over completely to the Cyclops series tractors.

If you engine is blowing black smoke while you mow, you have some carburetor work to do and that'll help a lot. If your exhaust baffling under the hood is broken or incomplete, that will add to your problem. If your side panels are missing (as many are) that may aggravate the situation.

john hall · #4 03-23-2016, 11:11 PM

Wonder if you have a bad tuned engine? We've got a 128 & 9, they blow right out the side. Got a 982 and 2072, they blow out the front. I know what you mean by the fumes making you nauseous, but none of our mowers do it so I'm thinking you need a tune up or adjust and rebuild the carb.

If you successfully re-route the exhaust, post plenty of pics. I'm sure a lot of folks would like the idea if for no other reason than your clothes wouldn't stink after mowing.

J-Mech · #5 03-23-2016, 11:48 PM

I'm surprised you can own a 70's lawn tractor in California. Figured they were against the law.... no emissions and all.

Shouldn't stink any more than any other engine.

Let's have some pics and some more history. You say recently bought.... have you added any gas to the tank since you bought it? How many tank fulls have you gone through? Maybe you just have old stale gas and it stinks. Maybe someone put some sort of fuel additive in it? Did you put a fuel additive in it?

Could be an exhaust leak, but sounds to me more like a tuning issue. So.... I agree with John.

Berwil · #6 03-24-2016, 12:26 AM

The exhaust on my 1450 used to be real bad. Just pulling it in or out of the garage would stink up the garage and breezeway. Sometimes for a few hrs if the windows were shut during the winter. A sticking exhaust valve forced me to clean the head and valves to resolve. The bonus to the job was the exhaust stunk waaaay less. I no longer get asked if the cat is safe in the breezeway with all the fumes.

Bill

AyatinGL · #7 03-24-2016, 09:00 AM

R Bedell - Good point - I'll take a picture and post it!

Mike McKown - No black smoke. I didn't see any deterioration or issues with baffling - but I'll double check. I have both side panels - screwed in place with the spring holding them, too.

John Hall - Thanks for the comparison of how other tractors with same exhaust do not cause this issue. The more I read other's posts the more I really do think it's an issue with the tuning of the engine / carb. Question - if I end up rebuilding the carb, should I look for NOS parts or is new OEM parts Ok? (new OEM like this - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0014CCA0Q/...=I4RE7XFEULF8M). Not sure if new OEM parts are of less quality than "original" (NOS) parts. Or, is it worth buying a whole new NOS OEM carb for $170?

J-Mech - I guess the forums defaulted my state - I didn't set it - not sure why it's CA. My smoggy tractor is outside of CA - so we're all good

I bought it two weeks ago - and have been using original gas that was in it up until a day or two when I added fresh 93 to it - I did not add any additives to it. Someone told me I should be adding some STP additives to my fuel to prevent the breakdown of the engine parts due to ethanol added to gasoline these days - what are your thoughts on that? I agree it sounds like a tuning issue.

Berwil - It's interesting you mention sticking exhaust valve...I wonder if that's related to the cranking issue I am having. The engine sometimes cranks slow - right when I turn the key you hear the starter "turn on" but the flywheel doesn't turn, then after a second or two, it may turn 1/2 or 1 turn, pause, and do again, and then start turning over and then the engine starts. The reason why I mention this is because I read another post online in regards to slow cranking and the issue was one of the valves. I still need to determine if it's a valve issue or a starter issue.

Thanks for the input everyone, much appreciated! I'll have one or more pictures later today or sometime tomorrow.

Also, another piece of information for this exhaust issue that will probably help that I wanted to share with everyone - when I went to change the air filter the other day - it was soaked with gasoline - and was somewhat blackened from oil, too. I am assuming that would be contributing to this exhaust issue?

R Bedell · #8 03-24-2016, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Also, another piece of information for this exhaust issue that will probably help that I wanted to share with everyone - when I went to change the air filter the other day - it was soaked with gasoline - and was somewhat blackened from oil, too. I am assuming that would be contributing to this exhaust issue?

Obviously, you have some issue(s) that need to be addressed properly.

AyatinGL · #9 03-24-2016, 10:52 AM

R Bedell - Do you think it would be a carb issue or something with the head / valve?

J-Mech · #10 03-24-2016, 11:12 AM

Sounds to me like you have several issues.

1.) Rebuild the carb
2.) Pull the head and decarbon parts. Plane head, repair any other issues. New head gasket.
3.) Look the breather vent over good. The QL's are the first series to vent the crankcase into the air filter housing. Lots of times people take the breather off and use too much silly-cone and plug the drain hole. Silly-cone is a seldom needed goo.

Carb kits can be bought a lot of places. No need to go to Kohler unless you just want to. No reason for a new carb unless it has bad components that cost as much to replace as to buy new. You can't buy a new Kohler carb for $170.... not from Kohler anyway. Your likely finding a replacement that looks like original. They seem to work just fine. Not much difference between them and OEM that we can find.