1811 No Start

[5 Cub Cadets]

Put the plow on the 1811 the other day, for the snow we were going to get. Had trouble starting (would crank, but no start), so started cleaning/tightening connections, battery and solenoid (in trying to loosen the single light wire on the solenoid I cracked the case, so new one on order), but with a jump start it fired up, and ran fine. Plowed our 180' drive (twice) and the neighbors 225' drive, no problems. More snow due overnight, so parked it in back of house with a tarp covering, but today it would crank and not fire (just like the other day) and now won't even crank. I took a jumper wire from the + of the battery to the single light wire of the solenoid and it cranks, but still, no start.
Ideas please, ignition switch, is there a fuse or wiring?? 20º and working outside, not the ideal environment, but did teach me that it would be better "snowed in" and stored in the shed, rather than not running/sitting outside!
Thanks,
Dick

[Ikea6e]

Originally Posted by 5 Cub Cadets

Put the plow on the 1811 the other day, for the snow we were going to get. Had trouble starting (would crank, but no start), so started cleaning/tightening connections, battery and solenoid (in trying to loosen the single light wire on the solenoid I cracked the case, so new one on order), but with a jump start it fired up, and ran fine. Plowed our 180' drive (twice) and the neighbors 225' drive, no problems. More snow due overnight, so parked it in back of house with a tarp covering, but today it would crank and not fire (just like the other day) and now won't even crank. I took a jumper wire from the + of the battery to the single light wire of the solenoid and it cranks, but still, no start.
Ideas please, ignition switch, is there a fuse or wiring?? 20º and working outside, not the ideal environment, but did teach me that it would be better "snowed in" and stored in the shed, rather than not running/sitting outside!
Thanks,
Dick

Dick,

The ignition switch could be the problem. It provides a ground to the magneto to shut the engine down when the key is turned off. An easy way to see if this is the cause would be to disconnect the Elec. plug on the left side of the engine, the center (yellow) wire is the one that provides the ground.

If the engine starts and continues to run the switch may well be your problem. Or this wire could be chaffed and grounding out periodically.

Good luck,

Ike

[5 Cub Cadets]

Thanks for the idea, Ike! Got it into the garage, and started going through the electrical (did check the ground to kill engine as you suggested, was OK) , pulled the ignition switch, it checked good so a little wiggle or reseating of connections, got me back to a crank with no start. Checked the spark at the plugs, was good so started thinking a fuel problem. Pulled the carb, cleaned it along with draining the tank, and replacing with fresh gas. It fired right up--fingers crossed that the problem is gone?! Again thanks for the help.
Dick

[ACecil]

That's awesome! It's always great hear the cub run again.

[Ikea6e]

Originally Posted by 5 Cub Cadets

Thanks for the idea, Ike! Got it into the garage, and started going through the electrical (did check the ground to kill engine as you suggested, was OK) , pulled the ignition switch, it checked good so a little wiggle or reseating of connections, got me back to a crank with no start. Checked the spark at the plugs, was good so started thinking a fuel problem. Pulled the carb, cleaned it along with draining the tank, and replacing with fresh gas. It fired right up--fingers crossed that the problem is gone?! Again thanks for the help.
Dick

Dick,

Great, glad you got it running without too much trouble.

Have fun moving the snow around.

Take Care,

Ike

[Vince_o]

When you pulled the plugs were they wet? If not you were heading the right way no fuel.

I put stable in Vince's 582 some weeks ago, and it started dumping fuel int the crank case. Here's what we found yesterday. I'll take this carb to work today and put it threw the ultra sonic cleaner and rebuild it.

I HATE this gas! A waxy crappy mess!

[mmzullo]

Chumlee,
Maybe that was in the tank already and it just got dislogged and ended up in the carb. I use the marine grade stable and have for years. 1 of the problems is the tractors don't run for a hard long time to dissipate water moisture in the fuel and engines. The worst for the gas/ethonal blend are the rubber hoses in chain saws and weed wackers.

Maybe we should start to put some dry gas in the tanks also?

[CADplans]

Originally Posted by mmzullo

Chumlee,
Maybe that was in the tank already and it just got dislogged and ended up in the carb. I use the marine grade stable and have for years. 1 of the problems is the tractors don't run for a hard long time to dissipate water moisture in the fuel and engines. The worst for the gas/ethonal blend are the rubber hoses in chain saws and weed wackers.

Maybe we should start to put some dry gas in the tanks also?

Isn't "dry gas" ethanol!!??

That would be like jumping from the frying pan into the fire!

[CADplans]

I do not like Sta-Bil either.

I think the biggest problem with Sta-Bil is it allows the user to think the fuel can be stored longer.

I built my 80 year old neighbor a wood splitter when he could no longer split wood.

He put gas in that engine with Sta-Bil and let it set for months. That brand new engine would never start unless I would go over and drain/refill with fresh gas. I have been changing gas for him for 5 years.

If it is going to set at my place it is either empty, or full of no ethanol gas.

[Vince_o]

Mike that tractor has been in service for 2 years now