Hard starting

[big moon]

Hello everyone.
I was hoping you could help point me in some sort of direction with my cub. It takes many tries to get my cub to start and when it finally does it sputters a bit and finally gets going after puffing out some smoke. It really doesn't start well in cold weather, but it fires right up if the engine is warm. I put in new plugs and I brought the old ones to the Napa auto parts store and the guy there said it looks like it is running to rich. I have been using my cub and it works great once it is started. But I want to get everything in the best possible condition. Over the winter I drained and replaced all the fluids. I adjusted the clutch. Is it my engine that needs work? Thanks in advance.

[Eugene]

Start with complete engine tune up. Dry then wet compression tests. Then valve tappet adjustment, ignition tune up, and lastly carburetor.

Compression tests will tell you a lot about engine condition.

[Rudi]

What Eugene said Complete tuneup. Make sure the gap is correct. Same with points. Make sure they aren't burned or glazed. If glazed pull a matchbook cover through them or some brown grocers paper. Make sure the contacts in the cap are clean. Make sure ALL connections from the battery right up through are clean and bright - and the grounds as well. Ensure the saddle switch is clean inside with no corrosion. Same with the contact on the starter. Verify all.

Then I would run some SeaFoam through. 1/2 can in the crankcase and a 1/2 can in a tank of gas. You may also want to check the valves and adjust the lash. Not hard to do. If I can do it anyone can.

Then check you fuel circuit - from the tank, through the fuel sediment bowl, to the carb inlet, metering jet and of course the needle and cage. Clean the metering jet - both orifices - use a strand of twisted pair aka telephone wire. Nothing stiffer otherwise you may end up deforming/scratching the jet. Ensure that the longitudinal orifice at the end of the jet is not plugged.

[randallc]

And of coarse, don't forget timing.