881 gas won't start

FarmerBlair · Apr 27, 2015

Hi, having a tough time trying to start my 881 gas after sitting for a few months. Unfortunately I left the fuel shutoff on during this time. Now I can turn over the engine but not even a stutter that it is trying to start. I smell gas when trying to start after a short time. There is a spark from the plugs. I tried a shot of ether across the air intake, but did nothing...not even a kick. Any suggestions much appreciated. Maybe the carburetor is the problem? There is fuel, besides smelling it it is in the sediment bowl. Thanks!

FarmerBlair · Apr 27, 2015

Also, doesn't look like fuel leaked down into engine oil. I tried turning over to clear out excess fuel as I assumed it was flooded, but did not help. Thinking about removing plugs and cleaning. There was no battery in the tractor while sitting so no chance having left switch on....so the points should be ok? No mouse nests in the air intake.

Larry NCKS · Apr 27, 2015

IS there spark from the plugs, or is it at the plugs? What kind of spark is it? It needs to be a fat blue spark from the plug wires.

Plugs that will fire in the open air may not necessarily do so under the pressure of compression.

If you can verify your spark, I'd say it's a carburetion issue.

old · Apr 27, 2015

Where the plugs dry or wet?? If wet they are fouled out. If dry it is not getting gas to them or it would fire. Your spark has to be a blue/white in color and jump a 1/4 inch gap or more. If it will not do that then it is not likely to start. Good chance you points need to be cleaned and or adjusted. Gap should be 0.025 give or take 0.001.
Next check fuel flow by pulling the drain plug from the bottom of the carb and let it flow few minutes. Catch it so as to look for water.dirt/rust in it. Carb maybe full of water or dirt/rust which can cause a no start problem

sunbeam · Apr 27, 2015

Remove the hose from the air cleaner if the needle valve is stuck there can be fuel puddled there causing flooding problem.

FarmerBlair · Apr 27, 2015

Thanks for the suggestions. The plugs look dry, and the spark from the plugs looks fairly weak. The spark is yellow-orange, not blue/white. I'll check the points. I have new points kit sitting around that maybe I will just go ahead and install. I don't recall ever having replaced points in this tractor in 7 years or so. Not sure what the life expectancy is for it.
I know last year it would resist re-starting right away after working the tractor and warm/hot. Maybe that's a sign of another issue...coil?

dmbinva · Apr 27, 2015

I have had little luck with most point sets, most have to be filed before they make contact even though they are new. Spring for the Napa first quality points. There will be some sticker shock but they are good points
Boss

souNdguy · Apr 28, 2015

yellow/orange spark won't cut it..

FarmerBlair · Apr 28, 2015

Turns out the points were out of adjustment for some reason. Tractor started after resetting the gap. Still hard to restart the tractor after its been running and warm. Thanks for the help!

881 gas won't start

FarmerBlair

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Larry NCKS

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old

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sunbeam

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souNdguy

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FarmerBlair

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