Ford 860 stops running

Does anyone have any ideas on why my tractor keeps dying. I have a Ford 860 that starts up just fine, but after a short period sputters out and dies. The more it warms up the longer it seems to run, but it just keeps dying. I disengage the PTO and start it back up again. I have noticed looseness in the throttle linkage, but I don't think that's the problem. Also wondering if there's something in the carburetor that gets stuck. Any ideas are appreciated.
 

far and away the most likely cause is fuel flow restriction. It lets a slight amount through so that it will run but just for a short time. There are two filters, one in the tank and one in the filter bowl just before the carb. You can clean your tank pretty well just by siphoning it out. Post back.
 
Thanks, showcrop. I didn't know about the filter in the tank. What you say makes sense and I will start looking for restrictions in the flow of fuel. Thank you. Joe
 
anytime you see stalling issues, always check to make sure it is spark vs fuel.

at moment of stall, check spark. if it has spark.. look at fuel.
 
I had one once do that, it was the coil,

it would start right up and run a short while, coil was mounted close to the motor,
must have been a broken wire in the coil and the heat would make it separate, as the engine would die and you did not have spark.
it you have spark,

then it must be fuel related, be sure the air filter does not have a rats nest built up in it.

check the carb drain, be sure you have fuel to carb.

also you could have a stopped up fuel tank cap, they must be vented, but normally for this to stop the tractor, it has to run 15 to 20 minutes for the vacuum to stop the flow of fuel to the carb. have you by chance changed the fuel tank cap lately?
next go into tank and check you cut off valve, it has a filter up in the tank, take it out and give it a full inspection and drain tank, you might be surprised as to what is roaming around in your old fuel tank.


let us know what you find!!!!!!!!!!
 
Thanks for that rule sound guy. I just don't know what you mean by checking for spark at the moment of stall. What do you mean? How is spark checked as it stalls?
 
Thank you for your response wellmax99. My fuel tank cap is not vented, but the tractor stops running only after a couple of minutes. But after it dies it will start right back up again pretty quickly so I don't think it's the coil. I will take a look at the fuel line to check to see if there are any obstructions, then take a look at the coil. If the coil was the problem, I can't imagine it starting right back up, so I'm thinking it's either a fuel line obstruction or an air flow obstruction that causes it to die. I'll look at both and let you know.
 
Well, if its not a diesel, then its gas.. If its gas, it takes spark to ignite. Spark is electrons..

When it stalls, you get off, pull a plug wire and let it set so the metal tip of the wire is about 1/4" from grounded chassis, then turn over.. If good regular spark, its pretty safe to guess you have a working primary and secondary circuit, and a working delivery system at least to the plugs. Could still be things lil bad plugs, etc, however those generally are gradual run issues and not off like key issues. If you see spark, its safe to check fuel and not feel lil you are being random . If fuel really does pan out, then you have done basic spark and fuel checks then you move on to advanced checks, re verify spark, this time all 4, verify fuel using starting aid, then air, compression and timing, etc.
 
Thanks again. The spark plugs are new, so that's not it. I will check but I think I'm getting spark. From everything I'm reading in the comments, I'm suspecting a fuel flow problem and will check the filters and fuel line for obstructions. Then I'll check airflow. Then, if I don't find anything, I will see if the coil is good. Everyone has been very helpful. I just bought the tractor a few months ago and this website has been great for me learning how to work on it. Thanks to everyone.
 
Fuel cap should be vented, if not with a gravity flow fuel system, a non vented cap will allow a vacuum inside the tank, this vacuum will stop the flow of fuel to carb.

!!!!!Check it out, am almost sure fuel tank cap must be vented on your tractor!!!!!!!!

However this may not be your problem.
 
nah.. now you are hopping around again.

1, spark plugs being new only means one thing.. they are new. while rare, we have all seen bad plugs out of the box, and plugs that go bad quick ( cracked insulators, etc.. )

2, the coil is part of the spark system.. your jumping around bouncing between spark, fuel, air, then spark again.

don't bounce around. investigate one system.. when you know it is not causing the issue move on and troubleshoot the next, then the next, etc.

shotgun diagnosis can spend your money and make it harder to find the correct problem
 
keep a known good plug with you.

as soon as it stalls, jump off the tractor, attach your spare sparkplug to a plug wire, hold the plug against the motor block,
try to start tractor and see if the sparkplug fires!!!!!!!!!

might want to keep a pair of pliers with coated handles with you, to hold the plug.

should be easy to see if you have fire to the plugs.

if the plug fires, then fuel related problem, if no fire, then electrical problem.
 

provided that you do find that you have spark immediately after it quits, keep in mind that you need to check for gas FLOW as opposed to presence. It needs to keep up a steady dribble for at least a half minute. DON'T try to remove the tank tap without getting further instructions. It isn't real dificult but it can be if you don't know the tricks.
 
an under $10 spark checker in your pocket, and a draincock replacing the drainplug on the bottom of your carb will find you the problem in seconds.

and like said, when it quits...be quick.
Them gremlins will hide their tracks swiftly :)

ps...if your tank has no venting at all and all your connections are tight...........it will/has to quit eventually
 
That's interesting NoNewParts. The spark checker is probably easy to buy and figure out, but the draincock I assume will tell you if fuel has stop flowing to the carb? So, you open
it and if it's dry, you've got a fuel flow issue? Sounds simple enough. And, as was pointed out, these are two systems (fuel and electronic) are separate that need to be pursued one at a time. Joe
 
An Update: It took me awhile to get back to the tractor. I checked the fuel line thoroughly and fuel flowed well. I knew then it mast be an electrical problem. My next step was to replace the condenser and points. Then an acquaintance mentioned that he purchase an electronic ignition for his two tractors, but he hadn't installed them yet. I looked into it and was able to purchase the electronic ignition from Yesterday's Tractors. I put it in yesterday. The tractor runs excellent. All problems solved. Sorry it took so long to give an update. But I'm a believer in electronic ignitions now. Joe
 
(quoted from post at 04:03:50 09/04/15) An Update: It took me awhile to get back to the tractor. I checked the fuel line thoroughly and fuel flowed well. I knew then it mast be an electrical problem. My next step was to replace the condenser and points. Then an acquaintance mentioned that he purchase an electronic ignition for his two tractors, but he hadn't installed them yet. I looked into it and was able to purchase the electronic ignition from Yesterday's Tractors. I put it in yesterday. The tractor runs excellent. All problems solved. Sorry it took so long to give an update. But I'm a believer in electronic ignitions now. Joe

Thanks for posting back. You did good eliminating one part then going on to the other. I have EI in two of my old gassers, my 960 and my 1969 Yale forklift. I was recently having a bad time with my 960, and one thing that I had to do was eliminate the possibility of a bad EI, so I got a new one. I also got the instructions on how to test them. Soon I will test two used ones that I have and convert at least one of my other tractors.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top