QuestionI have a 2004 (I'm almost positive on the year) Cub Cadet LT1018 with a B&S 18.5 Extended Life Engine. It has 214 hours on it. I got if from my boss when he bought a new one after this one had trouble.
He was mowing and it started making a "tinging noise". He stopped, checked out the deck, blades, etc. then tried to restart it and failed.
When trying to start it either turns over not at all, or very slowly. It sounds like one stroke really forces it to struggle (and possibly stop) then the next spins easily.
The battery is fully charged, the oil is full and fresh this season. He has performed all recommended maintenance.
Recently this mower ate one of the screws from the carb butterfly. He pulled the head and had the valves inspected by a solid local shop. He put it back together and said it never ran quite as well as before. Then, it died about two months later.
I'm thinking that this has a valve issue, but I would be very interested in your comments regarding the probable issue and a suggested course of action.
AnswerHi Matt
Is this an overhead valve engine? If it is, it sounds like the valves are out of adjustment. The specs are as follows:
Intake .007-.009 and exhaust .017-.019 Also check the pushrods to make sure they are not bent or broken. Hopes this helps.
