Cub Cadet XT1 Mower woes? Easy fix for hard starting Kohler 7000 engines
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- čas přidán 27. 08. 2024
- Are you tired of struggling to start your Cub Cadet mower, or other equipment that uses a Kohler 7000 series engine? Try this simple adjustment to fix this issue. This adjustment involves checking the choke actuator, which can become out of spec over time preventing the choke from engaging.
Time for your seasonal tune up? Here are OEM tune up parts:
Kohler 7000 Series Maintenance Kit 32-789-02-S
amzn.to/3wwP7zb
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I hope this simple adjustment saves you from an expensive repair visit.
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Mine wouldn't start after a cold winter's storage. Finally, I discovered that it was a dead or dying battery, so I charged it up. It runs now, but the revs are a little low. After seeing your presentation, I'm going to adjust the throttle cable. I have 36 years experience teaching high school English behind me. Your ability to express an idea and communicate quite well in general is as good as any I witnessed in any classroom. Thank you, kind sir.
Wow, thank you. I appreciate that.
I'd check the air and fuel filters, clean the carburetor, check plugs and make sure you're running fresh fuel.
This guy is great at explaining. No fluff. Love that! Got my issue fixed.
Glad it helped!
I have a 2015 XT-1 with hundreds of hours on it and it runs great! I mow over 2 acres once or more a week.
Oh my gosh! After new spark plug, fuse, oil and gas, THIS is what the actual problem was! Thank you so much for this very insightful and well explained solution. Really, really appreciate it! Thought this was going to be an expensive trip to a repair shop.
Fantastic! Glad it helped!
Extremely well articulated solution that everyone will understand. Thanks so much for this.
Thanks! Glad it was helpful!
Nice job on the choke adjustment. Here's one for you - grass is very acidic and when it gets wet it will rust everything. Alway blow off the mower and deck after cutting. How bad is it? My class 3 hitch broke off on a turn and I lost the trailer - lucky no damage. That comes from hauling grass, hedge and other lawn clippings when you have a lawn business and get rained on.
Best advice I have found. Had the same problem. Video shows where the springs go and the movement of the throttle contraption. When the ignition switch arrives I will double check settings and cross my fingers. I'm sure it will come back to life
Finally, I have been dealing with a long crank in summer and a no start in winter & the solution was so easy. Thank you
Glad it helped!
Thank you for your help. This fixed my no start issue :)
Awesome! Congratulations!
Excellent video, this was exactly my problem on a brand new unit that only ran 2-3 times before. You could see the choke plate wasnt closing more than about ⅓ under the air filter.
Glad it helped
❤@@Barry-Watson
Barry, you are awesome! I've been through multiple carburetors, fuel pumps, and spent hundreds in repair bills and this solved it immediately. Thank you! Thank you!
Thanks! I have been in the same place with some projects, and I know what a relief it is to finally get it figured out and working correctly. Glad this one solved it for you.
Back in the "Good old days", when I was 19 - 21, I was a mechanic in a lawnmower/landscaping equipment shop.
While I mainly worked on the 2 stroke stuff (chainsaws, blowers, hedge trimmers), I did the lawnmowers as well when needed (there was one other mechanic there). In those days it was mostly Briggs & Stratton, and Tecumseh engines.
I've spent most of my life since then fixing broken things, mostly electronics and IT equipment these days (permanently grease stained hands gets old)
I'll be 64 in a few weeks. And while I do have a lot of experience repairing small gas engines, it's been a really, really long time since I have done so.
I probably would have figured out it was the throttle cable position, EVENTUALLY, but not until I did everything else and probably started drinking again. I was going to pull the carb in the morning and clean it.
A high of 45 degree (f) temp the last few days didn't help either
My Cub Cadet (XT1 Enduro 46 inch) only has 2.8 hours on it, but it's REALLY dusty out here.
I bought the 5 hour maintenance kit with it, so i put in new plugs, fuel and air filter.
It started right up after I adjusted the throttle cable.
A high of about 45f degrees didn't help much.
You saved me a lot of work and at least one sleepless night.
Much thanks to you.
Fantastic, I'm glad it worked for you!
I know I've had the experience of struggling with some really simple issues for too long time, until I discovered the trick... Like removing that mowers hood. It's really easy once you understand it.
Wow! After a couple of hours diagnosing my no start problem I saw your you tube. Just as you described the throttle adjustment did not truly close the choke. I made the adjustment you suggested and after 3 seconds of cranking it fired right off! Never noticed any problem during the summer time but we are about 45F today and apparently that adjustment is critical in colder weather. Thanks for sharing your wisdom!
Fantastic, I'm glad that helped!
Thank you SOOOO much for the great video! This fixed my ZT1 in 5 minutes. It used to crank for nearly 1 full minute before turning over (if it did turn over at all). Now it fires right up! Much appreciated!!!!!
Great to hear!
After winter my Mower would not start. Was just about to load up and take it in, but saw this video and went out and started right up!
That's great, nice when it's a simple repair.
This was an awesome video! Very well explained. Even though we are mechanical people it is been frustrating trying to figure out why it doesn't cold start and this definitely fixed the problem. Thank you so much for your video
Glad it helped!
It work at first strike, I suffered with it for years. Thank you very much
Fantastic!
Do you read story books for children? I mean, record audiobooks for children. Your voice is perfect. The tone the pace of your sentences. You can make a decent paycheck maybe even be rich anyway good video thank you.
Thanks, I have recorded some audio books, and have a couple of videos on that experience. I appreciate the comment!
Fixed and showed me how to remove the hood. Subscription, liked and watched the ads. Thanks soon much!!
Awesome, thank you!
Great video. Dissapointed mine wouldnt start after a full tune up and this was the issue. Thank you!
Glad it helped! Thanks!
Replaced my throttle cable and this worked perfect in instantly starting. Thank you!
Glad it helped!
Hey I just wanted to thank you for this video on Kohler in my in my cub cadet. I've had issues when co'd with this for few years. I had to move the cable at least 1 1/2 inches to see choke movement but after it started immediately while cold. I will be subscribing to see what else you got. Thank you and this save me starters and cables in the future.
Glad it helped!
great tip fixed in 5 minutes. Well done sir.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Great to hear!
WOW, Great video . i suffered with this problem for a long time .. and your video solved the problem... thanks very much...
Glad it helped
One can confirm the choke plate is all the way closed by removing the air filter and looking in the carburetor. Don't over tighten the linkage screw. There isn't much metal there; it's easy to strip.
Barry! Thanks! I thought this was going to be about the hesitation when it starts to turn over-sounded like you have that. I believe that issue is caused by the ohv valves being out of adjustment. I saw that on Donyboy73, he has a video on the issue.
I was about to buy a new starter motor. I'm going to try this today. WOW Thank you for the tip!
Good luck!
You. Are. Amazing! THANK YOU SO MUCH! Much appreciation from Centerville, Texas, USA
You are so welcome!
Thank you
Welcome!
I have had to contend with a number of problems- 1) leaking electrical fuel shutoff valve- abandoned it-put in a manual valve, shut off the fuel when setting it up. 2) leaking float needle- can't find one- wish i could- It would flood when allowed to sit with the fuel on for a few hours, but its not a problem when running. 3) hard starting intermittently- found choke linkage would sometimes choke, sometimes not! It was on upside down and sometimes would jam!! fixed it!!! 4) slow to fill the carb when sitting for a week or three- added a marine style primer bulb. 5) junk and debris making it to the carb. Replaced it with a new filter and replaced the fuel lines which were degrading between the filter and the carb.(!) It would have been much better if they had gone with a separate choke cable and throttle cable. I may make this change later. Results: it starts fast and easy now. 6) Have had to replace the starter four times before I got a good one. the factory starter was bad, a replacement OEM starter was bad, (most frustrating) finally got a new premium starter from AMAZON- it worked, then failed because of poor construction - got another one -not a cheapy and constructed in accordance with automotive practice- and it has performed well since. Overall- a great mower/tractor but wow what a lot of un-called for problems with starting. I have had the carburetor off so many times it is getting pretty routine.
Worked great, exactly my problem. A free fix. Thanks a lot
Glad it helped!
I will check these things, thanks. I'll add that the mower has always been hard to start in cool/cold weather, and running a heater beneath the engine block has helped in the past. But it's getting harder and harder (and now impossible) to start.
If it fires up with a little squirt of starter fluid into the air filter, I would be suspicious of poor fuel delivery or in needs of a carburetor cleaning/adjustment.
Turns out it was the carburetor. I put a new one on it, now all is well, thanks!
Glad you got it fixed! Having the right fuel mixture really helps.
I bought a returned XT mower with the 22hp Kohler at Home Depot for $1,200 (reg. $1,900 at the time) because of this issue a few years ago.
Thanks for making a video that gets right to the point!
You bet!
Highly informative and helpful video. Thank you
You're welcome!
Yes, I had the same problem and it worked very good. Thank you very much Canada
Glad it helped!
Thank you that fixed the problem.easy start now
Glad it helped
This was my exact issue as well. Thank you sir!
You're welcome!
Thanks Barry that helped me out.. Works Great Now.
Great to hear!
Exactly what was wrong with my XT1 , thanks
Awesome!
YEP, that was the solution.. Thanks Barry!
Excellent!
Right off the pallet brand new CC w/ a Kohler 7000. Couldn't start. Wouldn't even puff. Turning over so clearly not electrical. I looked at the motion of the choke actuator and it looked just like that of an older stretched cable. Moved the cable 1/4" "tighter" and it fired right up. Probably not adjusted/installed correctly at the factory. Thanks for the insight!
Great stuff mate! Cheers 🍻
Thank you!
Great video! Thanks
Glad you liked it!
Thanks!
Wow! Please know that your contribution makes a tangible impact. In a world filled with countless choices, your decision to support my channel is truly humbling.
Once again, thank you for your generosity.
Nice video very helpful😊
Glad to hear that!
Thank you even I can fix my problem
Fantastic!
Thanks! It worked.
I have the exact same machine but have you noticed that the right exhaust pipe it’s melting my throttle cable and getting red hot any ideas why ?
I know the exhaust can get quite hot, I started a small grass fire once when I was cutting through some really tall dead grass. I would check for any missing retainer clips on the throttle cable, since it shouldn't be routed really close to the exhaust. Or at least, I would use a nylon tie strap and strap that throttle cable so it is a bit further away from the hot pipe.
If you think the exhaust temperature is actually too high, or you're also experiencing engine performance issues, one of the common causes may be an excessively lean fuel mixture due to carburetion issues, or perhaps even a clogged fuel filter. This issue could possibly also be caused by incorrect engine spark timing, or low cylinder compression.
Barry thanks for the info! My 2022 Cub XT1 was hard starting last summer and no start this spring I was thinking I made a poor purchase until finding your fix.
Glad to help! Overall, I think it's a good mower.
Thank you!
You're welcome!
Mine the choke wouldn’t open when you take it off choke so I put a spring on
Hey Barry. I ran out of gas today while mowing. I refilled and now the lawn mower will not cranck. I do have power as the hour meter comes on with 12.8 volts on the meter. No clicking nothing at all any ideas ?
I'd start by checking all of the switches that disable starting for example you need to depress the clutch/brake switch, and not have the mover blades engaged.
@@Barry-Watson hey man yeah I did all that. But I figured it out my dumb but left the blades engaged! I walked around again looked and said ah I must be a little slow today. Thanks for the response however
Nice. Glad it was an easy one!
I tried this and the idle seems too high after adjusting. Does yours idle too high?
Mine works fine. Maybe you need to release a little tension on the cable adjustment (move the cable back the other direction a little bit) so you find a position where the idle is okay and you can still engage the choke. Best wishes!
My choke was off, so I adjusted the choke cable. Still won’t start. New battery, plugs, fuel and air filters. I removed the fuel line between the fuel pump and one of the cylinders, and there was fuel in it. It did start one time and ran briefly but now nothing.
There is a fuel cutoff solenoid at the bottom of the carburetor that could be preventing fuel flow, perhaps a clogged fuel filter. After that I'd check for spark, issues with the carburetor and compression. Maybe put a eyedropper full of gasoline into the cylinder, and see if it wants to fire.
If an engine has proper fuel mix, spark, and compression, something should happen.
Also have the XT1. Have replaced two batteries, 1 solenoid, 3 starters…The mower didn’t have a fuel petcock and it flooded the carb then the cylinders then the crankcase. Assuming the battery is low, but even with a battery jumper, the engine begins to rotate then stops. When I grab the top of the engine and try to turn it by hand, it seems to bind until I rock it back and forth. Seems like the decompression mechanism may have issues. I’m going to get a new battery and see if that gets the engine turning.
Did you resolve this issue? I have same tractor and same issue. I have done almost everything. This mower does not have the compression release. I adjusted valves. New fuel pump, filter, plugs, battery, you name it. Hours on hours. Still not fixed. Someone suggested hydrolock from carb, then seen you say the same thing. Curious if you found a solution.
Have you considered ignition timing? If the timing is a bit too advanced it can cause that sort of hard starting/hard cranking issue you mention. To properly check it, you'll need a timing light.
An issue that I also experienced was where the starter motor itself needed to have some fresh lubrication on its throw-out gear (easy fix), that would cause poor cranking performance, but I don't think that is the issue that you're describing.
Alot of things are easily overlooked I have seen that on other mower where people just get frustrated and get rid of them
Thanks -- Sad to see good equipment abandoned because of an easy problem.
But, a problem isn't so easy if you're not familiar with the solution.
Hopefully, simple instructional videos like this one help some people save money and frustration.
Thanks a ton!!
You're welcome!
How do you put a more deck belt on 46 inch cut
It's pretty easy, the belt just slips around the pulleys, there are some belt guards over the mower deck spindles that you may need to remove to slip the belt into position. These are bolted on with a couple of small screws. It's important to use the correct belt, because the belt length is critical and there is no tension adjustment to accommodate for belt length. The belt is very loose when the mower is not engaged. So disengage the mower, and drops the deck to its lowest position, removes the belt guards over the mower blade spindles, and you should be able to lay the belt into proper position without much difficulty. Be sure to put the belt guard covers back in place afterwards, otherwise the mower may throw off the belt when the belt is disengaged.
What mic are you using in this video?
An inexpensive homebrew lav mic clipped on my collar and a Tascam pocket audio recorder.
czcams.com/video/4zrt89z-rzU/video.html
Mine isn’t getting gas to the carb or fuel filter and also fouls the plugs with wet black sooty material on the plugs… I’ve literally done everything I can think of lol. Couple things I’ve done, new carb, new plugs, fuel filter, new gas, I’m gonna be doing a compression test but not sure if that’s gonna give me a good reading because of this thing called a ACR? But not sure how to get an accurate one when that is still there… maybe a rocker is bad or push rod is bent is what I’m hoping for and hoping it’s not the rings…
If you're not getting gas to the fuel filter or carb, it seems like that's the first thing that needs to be solved. There is an electronic solenoid shutoff valve on the bottom of the carburetor, that could be stopping fuel flow, or else there is a clog or obstruction in the line or the tank.
Black plugs to me would sound like the engine is burning too rich, with too much fuel, so that's an odd set of symptoms.
@@Barry-Watson agreed I’m losing my mind it’s for a customer and I figured it was a quick fix. I’ll put that elbow out from the tank and see what that elbow looks like. Is there a place I can PM you and maybe get this solved by checking different things? That’s one check I’ll do is see if the solenoid clicks on before starting just in the ON position.
Well... fuel, ignition, and compression - get those three things right and it should run.
@@Barry-Watson it was the throttle cable….
@@Barry-Watsonso only pull on it until the governor is actuated and tighten down?
Awesome!! My Man!!
Thanks!!
Mine only has 40 hours on it and when I shut it off for a few minutes then go to start it then it doesn’t want to start and right away acts like the battery is dead but then will finally start after a few try’s. I don’t give it much gas and try with it on a real low say idle setting on the throttle. Anyone have any idea what might be going on? Runs great plus does not get hot at all. Do I need to use the choke every time I start it up even if it’s warm and been running several minutes before I shut it down? Thank you for showing us this fix. I’ll make sure mine is correct.
Usually engines do start easier when they're warm but I think I put my mower in start/choke position when starting.
@@Barry-Watson ok thanks. I’ll just keep it running if I’m going to be off it for just a few minutes then and see if it stops turning over like it has been when I go to restart it.
@@Ron_MasterjohnI have the same issue with an XT1 LT50, fine to start from cold but hard to start after only sitting a short time. Did you figure anything out on yours?
Same type of issue. Any resolve? Mine is hard to start. I changed everything. After valve adjustment thought I got it. It. Fired right up with full choke. Ran then I turned it off, tried starting up. Didn’t want to start. Acted like battery was dead. Got a hard compression issue. Someone suggested hydrolock. That’s where I’m at. Had carb apart a few times. Nothing seemed wrong. I’m at a loss.
That's why my brand new one xt1 lt46 is getting sent back to Home Depot I did not buy a new machine to deal with this problem I like the machine but I cannot deal with this not starting when cold bulshit
That may be the problem with my brand new machine that's a week old but you know what you don't spend $2,500 plus tax to Tinker with a brand new machine that should be set up perfect from the factory I do not want to Tinker with the machine and then don't tell me will you just voided the warranty sir
I think you'll find this type of issue on a lot of small engines these days that are set up to run a lean fuel mixture in an effort to reduce emissions.
Good video but hard to see because your hair keeps covering what you're pointing at.
Thanks, yeah I agree. But, once you look at your engine the situation will be obvious.
Thank you
Thanks!
Welcome! Thank you very much!
Thanks!
Wow! That's super awesome. Thanks!