Fixing A Cub Cadet Mower, That Won't Start 

I’m using this video to fix the Cub Cadet 173cc that I gifted my dad years ago, so this video is gold. I changed the plug, engine oil, air filter, lubed the cables, degreased the engine, and washed the bottom. Now I just need to check the valves and this baby has another decade of mowing in Florida heat 😅 I gave her full synthetic premium oil to show appreciation. Thank you sir!

Most people don't even change the oil or plug never mind doing valve lash. You won't believe how many mowers I see with the blades on upside down. Nice fix as usual, thanks.

Thank you very much! My neighbor is very happy, I fixed his cub cadet lawnmower just like that one you showed on your video, so he also says thank you for showing me how. God bless.

Cardboard from a cereal box is how we did a gasket on my diesel! Good tip.

Excellent video, straight to the point with lots of good info. I'm glad you didn't add your whole life when you were a child and you had to mow the neighbor's lawns while going up hill all the time and getting sunburned etc etc etc.

To answer your question I would definitely try to fix this machine. Engine still sounds good and could last quite a few more years. Thanks for the diagnosis and repairs. Thanks for the video's.

I never would of known where to start with the valve lash but I'd give it a try. I got a lawn mower off the curb and the only thing wrong was the hit something and needed a new fly wheel key..They put a new blade on it and when I saw that I thought they may have hit something. So new key got it going and I sold it. Good video again.

I absolutely check the valve. That mower is still in excellent condition. Great video as alway

I have done many valve adjustments on automobiles so I would have done exactly what you did. If it still didn’t start, the next step would have been to pull the flywheel. Great job!

Thanks for the info. I am going to try and fix one like that. It was given to me so I loose nothing if I can't get it to run. Awesome video.

Mine lasted 20 years. I love Cub Cadet!

I'm going to pick up a freebie push club cadet tomorrow. Don't know what is wrong but looks brand new. Great video thanks for the tips. I've only used craftsman mowers and briggs motors.

Wish I had seen this video last year. Had a non self-propelled Cub Cadet I bought in 2007 that gave me good service. When I couldn't get it going one weekend I took it to the local repair shop, who told me it wasn't worth fixing because the crank was bent. Now my brother had bent the blade on a tree root over ten years before - that's the only thing that could have bent the crank. I think the shop just didn't want to fool with the old girl.

Something I will definitely have to check out I have one that's only a few years old with the same issues. As well as the fly wheel! Thank you for the heads up hope this works!

yes i would check the valve lash timing for sure and on that wobbly wheel it,s a easy fix by simply replacing it and you can buy them online a fraction cheaper and i think the bearing might worn etc.

@7:00 mark; Valve Clearance ... Good stuff. .004 to .006 for intake; .006 to .008 for exhaust. Thank you!!!

I would check the lash. I had a friend that had a shadetree small engine business. A lady brought him a Troy Bilt riding mower that wouldn't turn over. He diagnosed a blown engine and she declined the repair. It sat in his back yard for a few years before he gave it to me for parts. It sat in my back yard for a few years while I robbed parts for other projects. I finally decided to tear it down and scrap what I didn't need. When I started messing with the mower, I quickly realized that it had too much compression, and was not locked up like he said it was. I did a valve adjustment, and it fired right up. I then had to replace the parts I robbed to make it a usable mower again. I learned my lesson on that one. That is one of the first things I check on anything with adjustable valves now.

Yes, I would of check the valve adjustment. 👍🙏👍🙏

Siilar model here... guess what I'm gonna get started tomorrow LOL Wow Never thought to check valves, it's nt curbed... but it is shedded lol Time to pull er out! Great stuff!!!

Another great video as always. Now you know me and yes I would have done the valve lash repair myself because I'm cheap... lol No but seriously tho I would because I do enjoy doing my own repairs. Thanks for the video 👍🏼

Adjusting the valves can be a difficult job, you have to be very precise to get them in the right place. In other words, the majority of people aren’t going to do it themselves due to the complexity.

LOL I was talking to you through the screen and suggesting you check the valves. lol I've seen waaay too many of your videos. Keep them coming. Thanks for sharing.

Well done getting the engine running. Cheers

I own a cub cadet push mower and it runs great I love it

Bro!!😎 you are awsome man!! Just fixed mine exact same one without the key start, did a valve adjustment, broommm….damn aswsome feeling! Thanks again!

We are often talking about people who cannot even put a mower blade on correctly. Therefore, a valve adjustment is out of the question. You could throw a feeler gauge and hit them in the head with it, and they wouldn't know what it is.

Yes,I tried making a head gasket for a weed whacker out of a poptart box and it works perfectly fine 👍

I would of checked the valves myself as well. As a matter of fact while I was watching this video and it wouldn’t start after you put gas in the carb and checked for spark, I said it must either be a valve problem or they hit something and knocked the timing out. I’m not a huge fan of Cub Cadet mowers, but spending a $100.00 on fixing that mower would of been more economical than spending $600.00 on a new mower is what that would of cost here in Canada. Good job my friend. Love it when you have to farther than the spark or fuel problem.

I would check the lash, but many would not. This engine looks like a Chinese Version of a Honda, or as many call it, a Chonda. I got a similar one, including the manual choke, as a curb find last year. Problem on that one was the owner was cleaning grass clippings with a broom and knocked the governor spring off it’s mountings. Easy fix, easy $100.

I usually judge a job by the condition I receive the mower. In this case, no oil, the blade was upside down and the owner was running it or trying to run it without screws in the cover and a wonky wheel. People that neglect their machines will just run over a branch or stump and don’t stop to move rocks. That said I’d check the timing first then the valves. I also find it very difficult to find specs on just about every motor I see. I spend way too much time searching the web for information. Cheers

nice I have the same mower . also picked up for free ... it starts fine but quits after 5-10 mn , also need to fix the drive cable

This is why I love 2 stroke equipment

Great video, I would check the valve clearances if I had a starting issue and it was getting fuel and spark.

That power more engine is a beast. 9 years and mine starts first pull every year. Sees about 20 hours a year

Check the lash after this vid for shure. Found a c cadet in trash wont run starting to go through it .good vid

Great vid again mate, Yeah i would check valve lash adjustment, nil cost other than a little time. Cheers

I finally got one like this type of engine I cleaned the carb and swapped the plug Starts and then dies I do feel a small kickback So this helps

Cub actually uses the Honda Harmony airbox on that model. A cheaper alternative than buying the honda OE :) Good fix, Although I don't think I would have jumped to the valves as quick as you accurately diagnosed. I tend to think it would just be really hard to start, rather than not start at all with valves out of tolerance. You got that one quickly though!

I have always set the valves with one fully closed/open. never failed me.

Thanks for the video. My Cub Cadet push mower has all of the same problems. Their single pull start guarantee is a complete lie. I fix my own car and have adjusted valve lash before but would never had bought this mower had I known it was required here too. Strongly recommend that others avoid this brand and find an old mower with flathead 5HP motor like from Briggs&Stratton or Tecumseh that will last forever. My last one with B&S engine lasted over 15 years until blade hit something and sent connecting rod out the block.

I would check the valve lash so I have an excuse to finally buy the tool lol

Well I got a curbie! Same issues will try your method , Let you know as soon as I getting it going to see what it takes....

I'm thinking it might be the cables are out ajustment

I bought a mower today and owner said a mechanic told him it had no compression and that engine was blown. I checked and it did not. Took valve cover off and noticed the intake was not working. The valve was stuck open. Put some wd40 and moved in and out. Has compression now.

I am having the same problem with a Cub Cadet SC-500 Z. I thought for sure, after watching your video the valve adjustment would have fixed the problem. (No joy. ) What do I look for next if not the valves, spark or fuel flow?

Upside blade results in less mowing and more beating the grass into submission.

I fix a lot of wheels that flop around because the hole in the wheel is badly worn by drilling out the hole for the shaft and then putting in a piece of copper water pipe that fits the shaft and then grease it and it is like new again ! The wheels tend to be expensive !

On those type of mowers I would have checked timing first because I have not had to deal with the valves adjustment yet on those type of mowers. If I found that it wasn't the timing and it looked like the flywheel key did not have to be replaced then I would check the valves.

Excellent video! Tell me again the spacing for each/separate valve? I must be doing something wrong. 0:48

I would check the valves....but I am mechanically inclined and can find the time to do it. In today's society, where we consume, abuse, and throw away most people probably wouldnt.

Do it myself if I could or take it to someone else that could if I couldn't. I'm middle of the road on Cub Cadet stuff. Thanks and Blessings!

Thanks. Mine not turning on. Gonna try that.

Checking the valve clearence

I have that mower what is the model number for it if you remember the motor was changed to another deck thanks if you could help

spark plug is fine too

I just picked up this same machine. When I pull on the role I get It pulled out of my hand. I was hoping it had a bad flywheel key but it was fine. So I'm kind of lost as to why it's doing this. When I first picked it up I serviced it( clean the carb. Checked for spark. Check compression.) It started on 2nd pull. Now it will not start. Pulls right out of my hand. Hoping you can help. Thanks.

Harbor freight sells those spark tester's

I have an other question on this mower. Is there anyway you could send me a picture of the top of the engine. I'm looking to see the coil and the flywheel. I still have a problem with the rope pulling out of my hand. The coil just doesn't look right. when the magnet is under the coil. The exhaust valve is open. Not sure that would be right.

Would you consider buying a cheap trailer and repairing ride-on mowers or zero turns? Or are they both few and far between and not cost effective for your situation?

Good information , thanks.

My lawnmower start just fine but it shutting down a couple minutes later. I had replaced air filter and gas is full. Also checked and clean the carburetor. Sometimes it ran ok but sometimes it won't run. Any suggestions where to look for this issue? Thank you

I would check it myself, what do you have to lose on a non operating mower? I really like that on your vids you show the sticker for model and serial #s. In my area I work on quite a few Toro recyclers and boy they sure like to use different #s. Keep up the good work.

I literally just got this exact (I think?) model off the street yesterday and I'm having similar issues. It has no markings to indicate model though. Mine just looks extremely similar. Can you tell me the model number of this? Thank you.

Nice!

I would check the valve lash obviously !

I’m not sure about the” PowerMore” engine. What I do know that the mower is made by MTD. That pretty much sums it up for me.

soooo does blade turn clockwise or counter....for all mowers?

would have done a compression check or even shot some starting fluid in the carb to see what direction i was to go with no start issue

my old man isn’t willing to buy the shims for our lawnmower, I suppose it shall remain broken until I find a friend to help me with it

Nice repair now get that wheel sorted 😆 It never ends does it ?

"Valve lash?" "Umm .. what are valves?" *shakes head ruefully.

I'm really surprised it didn't fire up when you put the fuel into the cylinder. I mean you were getting spark. Now I realize with the valves out of adjustment it wouldn't stay running but it should've at least fired up.

what size of socket is for the spark plug to get it out? and for the most of lawn mowers, is the valve lash about 5000? like universally? i got a craftman mower that didn't start and cleaned the carb and spark plug, still didn't start, you think i might look into the valve lash?

Did you figure out the issue with the electric start

Another great video.

the choke level on mine just slides back down all the time any idea why or how to fix?

I have a cub cadet push mower with a bag. It started smoking & now it won't start. What could be wrong?

HELP! I let someone borrow my lawnmower. More than likely was too lazy to pick crap up out of the yard. Now , I’m back at square one. At first it made a noise like the blade was hitting the side , now it’s a similar clanging noise but with a slightly lighter sound.

I'd find the problem & fix it. Key start might be a bad, or missing battery.

Do all blades spin counter clockwise?

Hey quick question how do you fix a mower with a hard to start problem

My pull string catches so hard it whips out of my hand and it's sprained a shoulder muscle. What does this sound like it could be? It sounds like it wants to start but the pull string is very resistant. Plus the lock back when it rips out of my hand.

Just like new cars, new mowers are also very expensive. I'd rather spend a few hours diagnosing an issue rather than paying $200+ on a new mower, or $400+ on a new mower of that caliber.

What is the blade part number and or the blade size for this one? Thanks

So I have the same type mower sc300hw. I removed the valve cover and oil just poured out. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Is the valve gaps on any engine around the same?

Check out the fuses.,0r fuse to see if it's blown. Check it for low engine motor oil levels to.,or if it's dark brown 🟤.

Great video

I have one of those mowers like that I end up taking it for the engine because the deck was so rusted out the front and the sides of it we're all tore up and I strip it down for the parts. I think that engine I got has the same issue also with valve adjustments.

That mower also has an mtd engine so i guess every cub cadet mower has an mtd engine on them 😁, i'm not sure yet until i get to see more of these cub cadet mowers and do more analysing on each engine they got to confirm 100% all of them got mtd engines 🤔

Hello Home garage I won't spend time and money try to fix it I'll just buy a new one

Did the valve lash cause the mower to lose compression? Is that why the mower wasn't starting? I thought mowers would still start but run poorly. 🤷🏿‍♂️

I would say.. I would of stated with the timing due to the blade being upside down.. and then move on to the values.. even with the timing being slightly out it will still start but would be difficult.. still you did a good job getting it going

pssst...hey! :D Nice service. Have a look at the wheel and see if a steel spacer will tighten it up. Don't spend a dime on this pile if you can help it. :D

Is it just me or are a heck of a lot of these free mowers self-propelled? Personally I don't like self-propelled mowers, I find myself dragging them backwards and fighting with them plus they weigh a ton LOL

I've never seen a mower with a sticker saying which type of oil to use

I'd fix it, too

Spark of fuel is the extent of my skill....

Process of elimination.

👍🏾