QuestionP.K I just purchased a Cub Cadet LTX 1042 lawn tractor. It came with a
Kohler 19HP Courage engine. After going through a check out with the
dealer I started the tractor and drove it out on my property. The tractor ran
for about 10 mins. I stopped the tractor and was working in the yard for
about 30 mins. I went back to the tractor and put the choke on and tried to
start the engine. While it turned over the engine would not fire. I tried
putting the the throttle in the run position and starting it as well as tried to
start it in the slow throttle position. This went on for some time finally the
battery discharged to the point that it would not turn over. I had to push the
tractor back to the garage and put a charger on the battery and noticed fuel
leaking out of the muffler. The dealer came the next morning to pick the
tractor up as it was brand new. They told me that I used the choke to much
to try and start the engine, but I do not believe this to be the case. The air
filter as well as the muffler were full of gas, you could literally ring the air
filter out it had so much fuel spill out. I have had a lawn tractor with a similar
choke system on it (John Deere LT 133) for nearly 10 years so I know how to
start the tractor. What would cause an engine to flood like this?
AnswerIt could be the needle in the carburetor not sealing. Does this engine have a fuel pump?
With no pump, fuel is free to flow if the needle doesn't seat and the backfire device malfunctions. A little bit of trash in the wrong place can cause both of these, so it sounds like this may have been what happened from what you describe.
From the amount of fuel you're talking about, this seems to be the most likely cause. Let me know if you have any questions. Thanks, PK.
