Cubcadet 122 starting issue

Rusty · Sunday at 2:22 PM

Have a Cub Cadet 122 production date 1967. Has been running great until yesterday. Started up and to keep the battery charged and it ran for about 15 minutes with no issues however, it then abruptly conked out. Tried to restart the tractor and was unable to get it started. Has a new sparkplug a tank of leaded gas, recently changed oil and a new air filter. I emptied the fuel bowel under the gas tank and cleaned it but to no avail still won't start. Engin turns over but will not start.
Any suggestions as to what be the problem. The tractor is 58 yrs old and there are few repair people in my area who have ever seen a 122 yet along worked on one. Look forward to any suggestions or tips.
Thank you

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lpalma · Sunday at 6:07 PM

Check the points, they may be dirty.

-CӞ · 2025-01-20T01:09:33-0500

Rusty said:
Have a Cub Cadet 122 production date 1967. Has been running great until yesterday. Started up and to keep the battery charged and it ran for about 15 minutes with no issues however, it then abruptly conked out. Tried to restart the tractor and was unable to get it started. Has a new sparkplug a tank of leaded gas, recently changed oil and a new air filter. I emptied the fuel bowel under the gas tank and cleaned it but to no avail still won't start. Engin turns over but will not start.
Any suggestions as to what be the problem. The tractor is 58 yrs old and there are few repair people in my area who have ever seen a 122 yet along worked on one. Look forward to any suggestions or tips.
Thank you

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how old/fresh is the fuel?

Rusty · 2025-01-20T07:46:50-0500

-CӞ said:
how old/fresh is the fuel?

Gas is Trufuel canned gas. Bought in Nov.24

Beltrack · 2025-01-20T08:09:37-0500

Points are my guess as well. Were you present when it quit? Did it spit and sputter on it’s way to silence, or did it shut off abruptly as if you’d turned the key off?

Rusty · 2025-01-20T08:50:43-0500

Beltrack said:
Points are my guess as well. Were you present when it quit? Did it spit and sputter on it’s way to silence, or did it shut off abruptly as if you’d turned the key off?

I was inside and heard it just stop. No sputtering just quit. Started easily ran fine then just abruptly died as if I turned the key off.

jdrong · 2025-01-20T08:55:20-0500

I would begin by checking if there is spark at the spark plug. Remove the spark plug, check that the gap is right and clear of carbon, plug it back into the plug wire, ground the spark plug to the engine, turn the engine over using the ignition switch and watch for a spark to jump across the gap. Bright sunlight or lights will make seeing the spark difficult if it is a little weak.

greg norsen · 2025-01-20T10:56:45-0500

Hi, after checking to make sure there is spark. Check to make sure there is fuel passing thru the sediment bowl. There is a rubber gasket on each end of fuel line that may have broken down and causing issues with fuel flow. If that is ok move on to checking points . Good luck

tkhoffman · 2025-01-20T12:15:49-0500

Silly question, after shutting off the fuel to drop the bowl on the carb, did you remember to turn the shutoff valve back on?
As greg mentioned, id take off the fuel line ,at the carb, and back blow. Listen for bubbles in the tank.
Maybe drop thf Carb bowl again and see if it filled with fuel.

Rusty · 2025-01-20T14:41:34-0500

tkhoffman said:
Silly question, after shutting off the fuel to drop the bowl on the carb, did you remember to turn the shutoff valve back on?
As greg mentioned, id take off the fuel line ,at the carb, and back blow. Listen for bubbles in the tank.
Maybe drop thf Carb bowl again and see if it filled with fuel.

Yes, did turn the valve back to on position. Will try your blow back suggestion as well as Greg's. Thanks everybody. The tractor is in the shed. Garage is full of other junk. Yes, I unfortunately keep everything. Never know when you will need it!!!! and unfortunately it is crappy weather (snow) here. After trying to start it many times, the battery needed an external charge. As soon as I can give all the suggestions a go.

tkhoffman · 2025-01-20T15:13:19-0500

Another thought.
Drop the carburetor bowl again, see if needle valve is stuck in the up (closed) position.
Before this fuel investigation, a quick check for spark might be the first avenue.

PACub100 · 2025-01-20T16:31:22-0500

when my coil went bad on my 1450, there was no sputtering or anything...just "poof"...off, like it turned off the key.
in fact, I actually looked down to see if somehow I may have bumped the ignition while operating the snowblower.

If you have a spare coil, try that, it would be the easiest to check right off the bat...

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