Author	[Modern View]
ruger1 03-14-2013 10:41:37 206.159.154.2 Report to Moderator	I have a '52 TO 30 that does not like to start in the cold. I have to jump start it in the cold if i want it start. After it runs for a few minutes it will start easily after that. I thought the battery was the problem so i bought a new battery with 700 cca and it still wont start. I push the clutch in while attempting to start and the timing was adjusted with a timing light per john uk's instructions. I checked the spark at the plugs and it is bright white like it should be and the gas is flowing fine. Once started it runs fine. Any suggestions? [Reply]   [No Email]
marloweg 03-15-2013 09:28:48 207.118.179.152 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard starting TO 30 in cold weather in reply to ruger1, 03-14-2013 10:41:37   also use heavy battery cables NOT the auto type from Walmart 2 gauge at least and if your is still OEM with the shifter start the switch that the shifter engages will get burn and not carry the currant that it should. i have 5 to-20 and 30s all start at 30 below and all are still 6 volt and have 15-40 oil in them but MAKE sure you push the clutch in and it will start [Reply]  [No Email]
marloweg 03-15-2013 09:21:15 207.118.179.152 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard starting TO 30 in cold weather in reply to ruger1, 03-14-2013 10:41:37   push the the clutch in so you are not turning the tran. about 60% of the trans. still turns when not in gear. push the clutch peddle down [Reply]  [No Email]
ruger1 03-15-2013 09:35:21 70.215.12.104 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard starting TO 30 in cold weather in reply to marloweg, 03-15-2013 09:21:15   I did do that when starting. I think the original problem was the weak battery. Now that i have a new batttery the points or condenser are bad and it wont start at all. It definately turns over a lot better with the new battery than it ever did before. [Reply]  [No Email]
Trac 03-15-2013 05:51:49 71.48.107.173 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard starting TO 30 in cold weather in reply to ruger1, 03-14-2013 10:41:37   Sounds like the compression is a little low warm it up some expands the rings with the help of oil pumping up around the rings helping it seal. Not sure what cold compression should be maybe 120? [Reply]  [No Email]
Jason S. 03-15-2013 08:22:19 192.43.65.245 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard starting TO 30 in cold weather in reply to Trac, 03-15-2013 05:51:49   Actually it will have more compression when the engine is cold rather than hot. Although the rings and piston expand when they get hot, the oil gets thinner and the valve clearances decrease when hot resulting in less compression. [Reply]  [No Email]
Trac 03-15-2013 13:28:40 71.48.107.173 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard starting TO 30 in cold weather in reply to Jason S., 03-15-2013 08:22:19   Jason i know that if your low on compression and tractor sits a spell say two weeks the oil seeps back down off the cylinder walls making the compression less so in winter months the 6 volt battery dos'nt spin fast enough to build compression to fire. just saying [Reply]  [No Email]
ruger1 03-15-2013 06:07:49 70.215.12.104 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard starting TO 30 in cold weather in reply to Trac, 03-15-2013 05:51:49   I checked the compression last year and it was 120 psi on all cylinders. [Reply]  [No Email]
Trac 03-15-2013 06:35:20 71.48.107.173 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard starting TO 30 in cold weather in reply to ruger1, 03-15-2013 06:07:49   Was that in warm weather that's when it start for you just a thought [Reply]  [No Email]
John Kruer 03-15-2013 02:58:30 199.193.183.1 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard starting TO 30 in cold weather in reply to ruger1, 03-14-2013 10:41:37   I fought cold starting issues with my 30 and decided to put in a Petronix ignitor and a new coil. That was the best money spent on this old tractor. It will fir and start on the first revolution after sitteing in 15 degrees overnight. I know it is not stock but when it starts when I need it to it does not matter to me. My .02 worth. [Reply]  [No Email]
ruger1 03-14-2013 15:14:37 70.192.27.201 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard starting TO 30 in cold weather in reply to ruger1, 03-14-2013 10:41:37   I just went out to try the tractor and it would not start. I decided to check the spark again and i had spark at the coil wire and not at the plugs. I am assuming that the points or condenser are bad after removing the distributor cap and not having spark at the points. I am thinking that the old battery did not have enough power to turn it over fast enough to start And now that i have a new battery the points/ condenser are bad and now it wont start at all . Should i replace both points and condenser when i buy a new kit or one or the other? By the way i checked the butterfly on the carb and its working like it should. [Reply]  [No Email]
Jason S. 03-14-2013 14:39:00 204.54.36.245 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard starting TO 30 in cold weather in reply to ruger1, 03-14-2013 10:41:37   I asked about the oil because when you said you had to jump it off to crank it I thought you meant it was turning over too slow to crank. [Reply]  [No Email]
Dan S (NY) 03-14-2013 13:24:55 216.27.112.8 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard starting TO 30 in cold weather in reply to ruger1, 03-14-2013 10:41:37   Is your choke working properly? There is a spring loaded flap on the choke butterfly, make sure it is not missing. Dan [Reply]  [No Email]
ruger1 03-14-2013 13:51:50 70.192.27.201 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard starting TO 30 in cold weather in reply to Dan S (NY), 03-14-2013 13:24:55   I just checked the choke, it springs back when pulled out. [Reply]  [No Email]
Richard L 03-14-2013 14:11:23 66.227.229.188 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard starting TO 30 in cold weather in reply to ruger1, 03-14-2013 13:51:50   You want to remove the air pipe and look in at the carburetor opening to make sure there is a butterfly in there. At that time while looking in there take the choke rod and push it toward the tractor seat and make sure the butterfly is operating. If you never used the choke as you say that might be your only problem with it starting hard when cold. Next time when it is cold pull the choke out and try starting it. [Reply]  [No Email]
Jason S. 03-14-2013 12:36:01 192.43.65.245 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard starting TO 30 in cold weather in reply to ruger1, 03-14-2013 10:41:37   What weight of oil are you using? [Reply]  [No Email]
ruger1 03-14-2013 13:39:32 70.192.27.201 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard starting TO 30 in cold weather in reply to Jason S., 03-14-2013 12:36:01   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see10w30 in the engine. Im not sure about the choke, never had to use it before [Reply]  [No Email]
Jason S. 03-14-2013 12:36:44 192.43.65.245 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard starting TO 30 in cold weather in reply to Jason S., 03-14-2013 12:36:01   I meant to say in the engine. [Reply]  [No Email]