Cub Cadet lawn tractor Burning Oil and Running Rough - Lets Troubleshoot It

This Cub Cadet LT1050 garden tractor was burning oil and running pretty rough. What could be the problem?
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[@MAGAMAN]

My mower was running rough blowing a lot of smoke and someone somewhere mentioned making sure the spark plug cap was on tight and that fixed my problem. I pushed on both of them and one pushed in a bit and snapped into place and it ran fine after that. Big thanks to whoever mentioned that.

[@butler386]

Great job. I am not sure I would have figured out the head gaskets were leaking. Thanks for the video.

[@richardjaneway8499]

I have (3)Cubs, a GT2148, GT2550 and GTX2154LE. When I quit mower I blow everything off with the leaf blower. All three work great and look new. Love my shaft drives

[@SmallEngineDIY]

That's awesome. They are great machines. If you take care of them they will last.👍👍

[@rickbroerman9267]

Thanks for the 📹.. it was awesome!!!! It was NOT to long...

[@flyguy437]

Thanks so much. My cub cadet has the same problem. It costs more to fix than it's worth. I'll try it myself. You may have saved me $$.

[@RL-xb4gz]

Good info got to do mine tomorrow

[@metoon3092]

Super Clean- My new go to- cleaner ! Thank you for the video ! I always learn from these uploads.

[@pedrocastillo.7765]

Very nice video and works

[@randywheeler3236]

Another great video , thanks. Keep up the great work.

[@SmallEngineDIY]

Thanks 👍

[@billhendrickson5506]

This tractor needs a lot of TLC. I have over 8 hundred hours on my ltx1046 and it still looks brand new.

[@SmallEngineDIY]

Awesome!

[@jamesrichardson771]

Wow💥 You don't mess around' do ya !!! 🛠

[@GhostxDreams]

buddy you just saved me $3000 I was ready to trash my mower same mower you are working on there lt1050 after watching you I went and checked the firing*btw I did not know it would run on one cylinder* found out the left coil was bad thanks ever so much.

[@SmallEngineDIY]

I'm glad it helped you.👍👍

[@FAHeiss]

get a lot of info from you, so thanks!

[@looseconnection4074]

Always put in new head bolts aswell

[@BB46BB46]

Looked to me that the one side with the oily plug that was spewing out the breather is a ring problem. Blow by. That would explain the oil on the plug and the blow by. Not sure I would think head gasket with that good of compression either.

[@PaddyHustle]

Solid work friend

[@SmallEngineDIY]

Thanks👍👍

[@antagonizerr]

Kohler Courage and Kohler Command have an issue with the sump cover bolts backing out, often cracking the block. Locktite the bolts back in and if the sump is cracked, notch the crack with a Dremel then stuff it with JB Weld high heat putty. Garbage engines.

[@norge696]

kohler commands are nothing like their courage line...

[@antagonizerr]

@@norge696 They don't have to be but they're close enough to suffer the same defects. They both have a sump that's made of chincy thin aluminum. They both use bolts to fasten the cover plate on the sump. They both vibrate when they run which causes the bolts to become loose and vibrate out because Kohler is cheap andcouldn't be bothered installing lock washers on them, or simply using some locktite on the threads. This causes play in BOTH machines where the cylinder blocks vibrate and crack the chincy aluminum walls of the sump around the cylider block. You see...different engine but same parts, same cheap assed company and same issue.

[@guyina4x499]

@@antagonizerr funny I'm a full time small engine mechanic and I've never seen what you're rambling on about. Unless you're referring to single cylinder courage engines? Seen lose bolts on them plenty. But the twins have nothing in common with the singles.

[@philliphall5198]

I started using 271 red lock tight but just a tinny amount Working good now, 3 years and no come backs yet, also electric ingraver sump and cover

[@danielthomas3127]

It does need a good cleaning

[@jerrycasteel4813]

Could you make a video on 20 hp vanguard oil seal pto side

[@shobud7561]

The Carburetor was the problem from the get go . The owner just used and neglected the maintenance on the machines, and when the problems start they blame the machine being junk .😮

[@rickvaughn94]

Do you have a video for turning up a LT 1554 ?

[@michaelwilliams7335]

When yout re-installing the the valve's each side should be at top dead center?...help ha,ha.

[@jeffcantrell3944]

what do you think about the swooshing sound when he shuts it down!

[@shobud7561]

The reason one of the plugs is damp with fuel is a design of the intake manifold. The intake manifold on thoes engine as well as the Briggs Stratton has a longer runner than the other. Meaning the shorter runner get the gas first . After the engine warms up to Is operating temperature they will smooth out. Bad design on Kohler and Briggs.

[@shobud7561]

If it was a blow head gears the pressures wouldn't have been the same. The design of the intake manifold is the problem on the Cord Start up but will smooth out after it warms up ...

[@mr.astrophysics9115]

Also this cub cadet has a weight of 548 pounds..now I have a Craftsman T240 Turn Tight its Classified as a lawn/garden tractor the dry weight on my Craftsman T240 is 600 pounds..

[@kidnamedcolin007]

craftsmans are steel not plastic

[@billkrause4585]

Nice Troubleshooting friend. You have me interested in your channel, so I'm a Subscriber now.

[@SmallEngineDIY]

Alright Alright!

[@shobud7561]

Also, the ethanol fuel thats used nowadays is killing the carburetors. I always use 100% gasoline in my engines. One more thing " the head gaskets and valves couldn't have been leaking with that pressure readings. New sparkplug would have taken care of the problem.

[@thomasroche164]

Very nice. Thank you for your videos. Would you suggest a new muffler? Alotta work, well done.

[@SmallEngineDIY]

Definitely needs a new muffler.

[@leonmarks8724]

Why did you not check the cylinders ??? Blow by is usually worn rings >>>

[@williamsporing1500]

With the smoke, first thing that popped in my mind was pcv valve

[@shobud7561]

It doesn't have a PCV valve .

[@SootHead]

That engine has hydraulic lifters for Pete's sake.

[@johns4584]

Twins nearly always have one plug that looks oily, never seen one with 2 normal looking plugs.

[@SmallEngineDIY]

I've had some v twins that have run excellent. Still using an older 1990 Vanguard v-twin

[@philliphall5198]

Do you have a leak down tester

[@shobud7561]

Also, the ethanol fuel thats used nowadays is killing the carburetors. I always use 100% gasoline in my engines. One more thing " the head gaskets and valves couldn't have been leaking with that pressure readings. The carburetor needed a good cleaning. Im done . New sparkplug would have taken care of the problem.

[@shobud7561]

What's up with the follow up video. The Carburetor was the Problem from get go !

[@philliphall5198]

Like head gasket leaking again

[@otiscoldren7238]

Lot of time spent on that job, how would a guy charge for all of that? I am sure you did a great job!

[@francislang5075]

what alot of work

[@SmallEngineDIY]

Yes, but I think it was worth it.

[@jeffcantrell3944]

head gasket and carb

[@Thelivinglifeshow]

It has a noticeable skip.

[@bigjohn8549]

No need to set the valves on this one you'll probably figure it out

[@norge696]

how much would you charge for a fix like this?

[@samanthamiller4033]

Idk

[@darrelldubree9658]

hydralic :)

[@altonrowell613]

Sounds like a intake valve leaking to me.

[@Christer885]

😊👍

[@williamboser6161]

It don't smoke cause oil is to low. guaranteed !

[@altonrowell613]

My old college teacher said a lot of engine problems was valve related.

[@SmallEngineDIY]

Yes, there are a lot of valve problems. I have another video on valves coming out today. 👍👍

[@altonrowell613]

@@SmallEngineDIY ok I watch a lot of engine and transmission videos. I always keep a open mind. I always learn something.

[@timmywade1313]

LT is for lawn tractor

[@randallcarney1216]

Has hydraulic lifters! Self adjusting!

[@user-om5bb8gm2y]

Valves

[@glennsprague8535]

138 hours. My 2015 1050 already had both head gaskets and a starter by 110 hours. Never buy a Kohler again!

[@timmywade1313]

Garden tractor would be a LG

[@manuelhe46]

That’s ranch… dusty as hell

[@olivertaylor8788]

Cub cadet and Kohler, sorryest machine ever made.I have owned 3,all 3 leaked oil and just bad engines..the 18 threw the rods out at 90 hours.all 3 went in the trash and I bought John deer with Briggs power,end of problems.

[@SmallEngineDIY]

I always had trouble with the Kohler Courage series of motors. Others have been fine.

[@robbarnhill9572]

finicky yes but, also a good motor if you learn their habits and take care of them. I have a Kohler Courage 25HP on a Cub Cadet RZT50. 14 years and over 1,000 hrs.

[@scottp2462]

The Kawasaki powered Cubs are a much better option IMHO. I have a 13 year old LTX1042 with the 18hp Kawasaki V-Twin and zero problems. They do need valve adjustments but well worth the maintenance in quality and reliability.

[@mr.astrophysics9115]

Wrong my friend not all garden tractors have lug nuts or shaft driven