Cold Start

[siii8873]

It is starting to get colder up here in Northern NY and this is the first cold weather I've experienced with my cub. All summer long the Cub started right up and ran great. Now that it's colder out I'm having a lot of difficulty starting the tractor. I'm afaraid when it gets cold cold I won't be able to get it started when I need it to plow, It also is not runnig as well as it did when it was warmer out even after it warms up. It seems to have less power and cycles a little like the governor is hunting. Anyone have any idea where to start to improve the starting and running of the cub?

[Clem]

In the winter I pull my battery indoors and keep it fully charged. I also keep the grounds clean and tight. Keeping the gas tank full also seems to help.

[kinelbor]

Is it cranking just as fast now that its cold. Now that it is cold here I have to use my hand crank. Did you try choking it all the way? Could be its got a clog in the carburetor and it isnt getting enough fuel for the cold weather.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

It will require more choking to start when cold, and untill they warm up, the hydraulics will put a lot more of a load on the engien.

[Eugene]

Everything the others suggested. Full tune up. Check the condition of the points, ignition timing, distributor mechanical advance. If this doesn't help then. --

You can improve cold start performance by retarding the timing a bit. The ignition is supposed to fire the spark plug at TDC. You can improve cold start performance by retarding the timing a bit, setting the ignition timing to fire at 1/2 a degree after TDC at cranking speed.

Eugene

[Peter Person]

Even though my Cub is in the garage I bought a magnetic heater at TSC that I stick to the oil pan. Seems to help. Condensation in the gas tank, carburator bowl, float also may be a problem. I also have to make sure one of the children hasn't moved the TC lever from where it was on shut down since the hydraulics really load the engine when it's cold. And as many have said before, make sure the anti-freeze is up to snuff and pre-mixed before it's put in the radiator if it's low.
Hope this helps.
Peter

[KETCHAM]

IF WE ALL WERE RICH WE WOULD HAVE HEATED BARNS.MINE GETS A LITTLE CRANKIE IN THE COLD.CHOKE IT AND LET'EM WARM UP.MIGHT WANT TO KEEP A TRICKLE CHARGER ON HER.KETCHAM

[Boss Hog]

Ketcham where can you get a 6 volt trickle charger
David

[siii8873]

A local mechanic told me these tractors can require a point adjustment from cold to warm weather, they may close some in cold weather. I think a full tune up is in order first. What is the best way to determine when the #1 cylinder is on the compression stroke at TDC to remove the distributor as suggested on other post for replacing points. Would this be when the pointer is at TDC mark and the rotor is in the #1 firing position?
Are there any block heaters other than the magnetic type that are available for a cub?
I'm getting prepared for the next best thing to a heated garage and making room in my unheated garage to get the cub indoors. Probably build a shed next year.

[Rubee]

My 48 was giving me trouble just last week when temps fell into the twenties over night. I pulled the plugs and cleaned them and she fired right up. They were fouled with carbon.

[Eugene]

What is the best way to determine when the #1 cylinder is on the compression stroke at TDC to remove the distributor as suggested on other post for replacing points. Would this be when the pointer is at TDC mark and the rotor is in the #1 firing position?

Correct.

Eugene

[KETCHAM]

HAD TO GET ALL 3 THREE GOING THIS MORNING IN THE 20S.I KEEP A HOT [CHARGED] 6 VOLT READY.HAD TO JUMP ALL THREE.6 VOLT SYSTEM DOES NOT SPIN FAST ENOUGH TO FIRE THEM UP.2 CUBS IN A POLE BARN THE H UNDER A OVER HANG.SHOULD HAVE PUT THEM OUT IN THE SUN TO WARM UP.WAS IN THE 20S [MID]BUT REAL NICE OUT NOW.FALL PARTY TONIGHT,BETTER GET GOIN.KETCHAM

[Don from Indiana]

That is exactly the reason I converted mine to 12 volt. I use 10W30 oil. Cub is stored in an open shed and will start down to 0 easily.

[John *.?-!.* cub owner]

Both my cubs and \dad's H always started down to 0 or a little below with no problem on 6 volts. Now, however, I don't care. if it is that cold I ain't gonna worry about it.

[400lbsonacubseatspring]

My cubs crank slow, but generally start up well enough in the cold.....

The A usually needs a jump, as I never do seem to quite get the choke right on that one (it floods mighty easy)........and if I do use the crank, I'll crank myself into an asthma attack.....

My POS Cub Cadet/MTD thingamabob gets ice in the carb at temps below 40, however, and that is a source of vexation, to say the least.......

One can almost understand getting ice in a metal carb--the evaporative cooling of gasoline is substantial, and sometimes, lets face it, there's just too much water in the air....but a white plastic POS like that??