Update on the 123: Still no progress!

[cubby123]

Well, I have worked a lil more on the cub daily and she just won't go. I am pretty sure that it's a carb issue and electrical because when I put gas in the carb she wont fire but will puff out white smoke. I am completely stumped if that's not it.

[toyman]

Hey cubby! I read thru your other post on your issues. Have you checked that float yet?? If you have fuel freely flowing thru the carb (as you stated in your other post) there is a problem in your carb. (float, stuck needle valve?) Also, your last post in your original thread says that it sounds like the engine is running while your turning it over, but won't continue when you let off the key. That could be a timing issue or a stuck valve issue?

Check out that carb & float! Check your compression (borrow if you don't have one). I'm a bit analytical and will sometimes bury myself in the details, you know, miss the forest because of the trees! I was having trouble getting my Chevelle tuned and a buddy told me, "It's only a gasoline engine. You have fuel delivery, spark, and timing. What's so hard?"

Good luck and give us some details on what you've been doing.

[Yosemite Sam]

White smoke is good... It means that you're on the right track.

If it were mine I would take the high speed needle out of the carb, make sure the holes in it and the passage through the middle of it are clear, then put it back in.

If your plug is getting wet you're getting too much gas, so just to make it run, try turning the needle "in".

From what you say, If you're getting fire to the plug, I'm really thinking that you're a little out of time.

98% of all carburetor problems are electrical.

[cwmcbee]

Sam, I couldn't agree more.

[Matt G.]

If it won't even fire when you squirt gas into the carb, it's not a carb problem. The tractor should catch and run for half a second and then die if you squirt gas in the carb. It sounds like you either have crappy spark, low compression, or the timing's way off. It doesn't take too much of a timing variation to make these things difficult to start.

[cubby123]

Ok,I willtry timing it. Whe you say timing do you mean timing the points? I'm still learning these "phrases" LOL. I can be a lil slow.

[Matt G.]

Yes. Open up your service manual and start reading...

[Yosemite Sam]

Use a timing light to set your points, just like on an automobile.

[Aroostook]

You're gonna love this one: (Sorry, I'm trying to see if I know how to post in this forum). What's the chance that the wire from the coil to the points is grounding out? There's so many variables that we have to go back to K.I.S.S. (and I hate to do that on my first post).
Maybe my first post here IS a good place to go.
I think that went quite well, thank you.

[Cub Cadet 123]

I had the same problem with my 123 this past summer. My quick fix was just buying a new coil and installing.....It fired right up and I rejoiced!! Good Luck!!!

Cub Cadet 123

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