WD45 Hesitation

adamleerich

New User
Hello. I have a WD45 that i've used for mowing and snow removal for two years now. The tractor runs great but just this week has started hesitating badly. It sounds like it is running out of gas but the gas is in there and the lines are clear. I've replaced the distributor cap and the plugs. I've tested that I am getting a spark to all four cylinders. I changed the engine oil and checked the oil bath filter. I'm in the middle of changing all the other fluids, although I guess those are not related. Once that is done I am going to drain the gas and put in all new and fresh.

What else should I try?

Thanks!

Adam
 
Trouble shoot then parts NEVER the other way around or you can cause more problem then you fix. You say spark is good will it jump a 1/4 inch gap or more??? Blue/white in color??
Next do you have a good steady flow of gas from the carb drain plug???Let it flow for a few minutes catch it so as to check for water/dirt/rust. May also be gov/carb linkage problem and the linkage is binding some place
 
Thanks for the advice. The spark is not jumping a quarter inch, but it is the right color. The carburetor drain plug is the L-shaped screw, right? When I first took it out it was dirty but cleared up really quickly. I did that before I posted my question and didn't think to catch it. After your post I did let it drain for a couple of minutes and it appeared to be just straight gas at a steady flow. I'm not sure how to tell if it has water in it.
 
I will check the gas cap vent, but I am getting a good flow of gas to the carburetor, so I don't think that is it.

I've known for a while that the transmission fluid in particular needing changing. I did that yesterday. I also had a new shifter to put in and had to cut a new gasket for the shifter assembly (was leaking pretty bad). I know this wasn't the cause of the hesitation, but it feels good to get these items checked off the list! I guess the good part of my not being able to mow is that the tractor is getting some much needed TLC.

I'm going to check the spark again, on old's advice. I'm not familiar with the governor. How can I tell if that is the problem?
 

The "L-shaped" thingie is commonly called the "Power Screw" (or Main Fuel screw)..

If you remove it, the lower passage will flush dirt out and may correct your problem (if it is fuel-related)..

Have you tried setting the Mail Power screw 1/2 turn richer to see if the hesitation remains..?

Ron..
 
So, I've been troubleshooting and found quite a few problems. The fuel filter was dirty, the carburetor had dirt and rust in it and now I've discovered that the manifold has a hole in it. The carburetor is now rebuilt and I have replaced the fuel filter. Anyone in CT have a newish manifold I could buy?
 
No one mentioned the carburetor needle valve. I'm referring to the needle shaped valve that allows gas to flow into carb bowl. Sometimes, they'll stick shut. Usually intermittently. One way to check is to start engine and stand beside tractor with a small ball peen hammer. When it starts to hesitate, tap the side of the carb with hammer. If that fixes it, your problem is a sticky needle valve. Clean, replace, or overhaul carb. Or, if it only hesitates under load, have someone walk along beside with hammer and do the same thing.
 
That's great advice. The hesitation went away when I cleaned the carburetor. Now, i'm getting exhaust and gas leaking out of the manifold. I bought a replacement on eBay.
 

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