Won't stay running

rhodech

Member
I have a 64 4000 gas tractor, runs good until about 30 min. orso, has new points condenser, coil, fuel filter plugs, wires, runs good then it will sputter about twice then dies like you cut off the key, then let it set about 5 mins. then it will crank back up, sometimes have to pull the choke to get it started, then it runs for about 3or 4 minutes then does the same thing, any advice? Thanks in advance!!
 
Oh, and while trying to start it on first shutdown,had an old plug in the toolbox and put it on #4 wire and it was firing while turning over engine, and when it started let it run on three cyl. for a bit until it shut off again, it was firing the whole time until the engine quit turning.
 

Just because a plug fires on the end of a wire out in the open, doesn't mean the others are in the cylinder under pressure.

Your scenario sounds like your new coil or condenser wigs out when it gets hot. Course it could also be a vapor lock in the fuel line.

What spark plugs do you have in the tractor?
 
Also thought vapor lock,but did away with the old fuel bowl,and put a inline filter,and fuel shut off since the
one under the fuel tank is broken,its ran this way for three plus years no problem, but in February I was using it
and it got where it was barely running,and when I got in my yard it shut off, not firing, so pulled off
distributer cap and found it was burnt up,so went to Napa,got new cap,rotor,dust cover, points and condenser, I
think I set the points correctly, but when I went to crank it I had the plug wires on wrong and it backfired
through the carb, so I fixed the wires, then it started, always thought it sounded different like it was under a
load,but it ran,then when I went to the tractor parade in March, drove it there, about six mile round trip, it
started that shutting off deal when I was almost home, let it set, then started back up, etc.,the fuel filter was
running dry, so I put on a new filter, seemed to help, but never ran it too long since then,sorry its long but
wanted to give the whole story.
 
Unless it has a fuel pump an in line filter will cause more trouble then there worth. As for Champ plus now days there junk form the git go I use NGK 3112 in my machines they work well and last a long time where as the China made Champs are not worth a dime
 
(quoted from post at 21:32:19 06/04/16) Champion, that's what was in it when I got

Take the Champions out and hurl them as far as you can! Put in anything else! A Ford engine will not run properly on Champion plugs!
 
I'd also hurl the Champ plugs and reinstall some Autolites.... then get rid of that bloody inline filter. Those systems were made to work with a screen and bowl. The inline filter restricts flow too much UNLESS you have an inline pump... so take your pick on that.

Rod
 
Several people have given you the straight forward, easy fixes.....dump the Champions & inline filter..do those and come back & tell us that all is well! :roll:
 
Well will chunk the champions, they will be free to anyone who wants them, I'll even pay for postage, and I'll
remove the filter in a bit
 
Hurl the USA made Champions and replace with

Autolites that are now made in China? Champions got a bad rap when were selling their rejects to discount stores.
 
Far as I'm concerned there isn't a champion plug that isn't a reject. The ones I've seen don't cross correctly, don't fit and don't work. My Ford applications get Autolite. The rest get NGK...

Rod
 
Put in autolites, and took off fuel filter, only ran about ten minutes at most then sputtered and died, acting like its running out of fuel,after shut off, have to let sit for a bit almost like its filling fuel bowl,once motor hits about 160? that's when it acts up, wondering if the rubber fuel line I put on in 2013 is collapsing internally, not sure, not messing with it any more today,already 95? here and 90? humidity here, will change out fuel line line tomorrow for the heck of it.
 

If it's not a fuel starvation problem, it might be thermal/electrical. If your wiring harness is sitting on the block, maybe something is expanding under heat and cutting out?
 
Will look into that,because it sorta sounds like your cutting off the switch, but like I said earlier it was
firing on a extra plug I had, and most times to start it back up you have to choke it
 
When it quits, pull the coil wire and see if it's making spark. If it's got spark... open the drain on the carb bowl and see if it's got good flow of gas.

Rod
 
(quoted from post at 12:35:28 06/05/16) Put in autolites, and took off fuel filter, only ran about ten minutes at most then sputtered and died, acting like its running out of fuel,after shut off, have to let sit for a bit almost like its filling fuel bowl,once motor hits about 160? that's when it acts up, wondering if the rubber fuel line I put on in 2013 is collapsing internally, not sure, not messing with it any more today,already 95? here and 90? humidity here, will change out fuel line line tomorrow for the heck of it.
here was about a 100% chance that the guesses of inline filter & Champion replacement was NOT going to solve your problem....often heard & more often repeated! Now that you have wasted your time & money, try a bit of actual trouble shooting. Find the wrench that fits carb bowl drain, loosen drain plug & re-tighten a bit, put wrench in pocket. Run until stall occurs, quickly jump off tractor, use wrench to remove carb drain plug, see if it has a bowl full of fuel. If it does it will run a good stream for about 6 ounces & the slow to a weak stream, but will still flow enough to fill a pint bottle in about two minutes or less. If no "full bowl" flow at first, then the 2 minute test will probably fail too. Try removing tank cap & see if stream improves (clogged vent). Come back with results and more suggestions will be offered.
 
It is best to take some of the comments with a grain of salt, what do you think the probability is that all the spark plugs failed at the same time?

That was a waste of money.
 
Kind thought that myself, but when I bought tune-up kit, it came with plugs,so no loss, just put them in for the heck of it, will try fuel bowl trick, but it's storming bad right now, gotta love South Carolina low country weather in June!
 
(quoted from post at 16:43:27 06/05/16) Kind thought that myself, but when I bought tune-up kit, it came with plugs,so no loss, just put them in for the heck of it, will try fuel bowl trick, but it's storming bad right now, gotta love South Carolina low country weather in June!

Not storming here yet, but it's threatening. I'm 20mi N of Columbia (Ridgeway).
 

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