Author	[Modern View]
BJH2915 05-13-2010 15:26:56 65.31.87.226 Report to Moderator	This spring, for what appears no reason at all, my B either won't start or it starts only after cranking for a long period. After it starts, it runs just fine. Couple of years ago I had the mag rebuilt, put in new points, condenser, cap etc. etc. and the tractor ran and started great. So, the timing didn't change by itself, the point gap didn't change by itself but something did. I'd like to spray some starter into the carb and see if its a gas problem. But you can't get the spray into the intake it pretty sealed up. I don't know if I have spark or not. Not sure how to even check that. I asked my neighbor to hang on the spark plug and tell me if he was getting a shock, but he won't do that. I've had this tractor a long time and this is the first time I'm having this problem. all ideas welcome. [Reply]   [No Email]
BushogPapa 05-13-2010 18:54:51 173.88.92.254 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to BJH2915, 05-13-2010 15:26:56   What plugs are you running..?? Autolite #3116 is the plug you want.. How fresh is your gasoline..?? New gas does not store as well as it used to.. Ron.. [Reply]  [No Email]
BJH2915 05-14-2010 08:04:13 65.31.87.226 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to BushogPapa, 05-13-2010 18:54:51   The plugs are fine. When it does start, it runs real smooth. [Reply]  [No Email]
jd b puller 05-13-2010 17:57:33 174.97.178.235 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to BJH2915, 05-13-2010 15:26:56   When you put the mag back on, the timing could be different. Or it was never really "right" before so when you put it on this time slightly different and it's "less right". Pull both spark plugs and lay them on the manifold. Roll the flywheel over real slow and see how close to "LH IMPULSE" it's actually firing. You want to make sure that #1 (flywheel side plug and TOP of mag) is firing right at LH impulse or just a tad after it. When you rotate the mag, it adjusts both starting and running timing. [Reply]  [No Email]
BJH2915 05-14-2010 08:06:33 65.31.87.226 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to jd b puller, 05-13-2010 17:57:33   The mag's been on for a couple of years. Use to run just fine. This year its giving me a hard time. After I get my new points, I'll try retiming again. [Reply]  [No Email]
old 05-14-2010 09:49:54 4.245.3.229 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to BJH2915, 05-14-2010 08:06:33   Is it set up so you can spin it over by hand??? If it is then do so and listen for the impulse to trip. If you can not here it trip then you have found where your problem is. No trip means very hard to start if you can get it to start. Also you need a spark that will jump a 1/4 inch gap and is a blue white color [Reply]  [No Email]
ravgardner 05-13-2010 17:31:29 67.244.59.103 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to BJH2915, 05-13-2010 15:26:56   Start with new points. Old can't really be pollished for long run. They are about $16 and NAPA. Mine tend to need them every year or two. Rav [Reply]  [No Email]
davediehl@hotmail.com 05-13-2010 17:20:46 209.45.205.13 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to BJH2915, 05-13-2010 15:26:56   The easiest way to check for spark is to take a spare plug and attach the plug wire to it. Lay the plug against the frame and hit the starter. Allowing the engine to turn over at its normal speed should give you a nice blue spark in the gap of the plug. Its a simple test that only takes seconds. [Reply]  [No Email]
rusty wheel 05-13-2010 17:15:49 75.180.27.253 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to BJH2915, 05-13-2010 15:26:56   You can pull the plug on number one cylinder and crank the engine over to observe the spark. If the points are bad, replace them. Filed points usually don't last very long. You could also have a bad condenser in your mag, if you're running a mag. You can also shoot some starter fluid in the air intake to see if you have a fuel problem. [Reply]  [No Email]
Tom 43 05-13-2010 17:12:00 64.149.35.32 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to BJH2915, 05-13-2010 15:26:56   It sounds tome like the impulse spring is weak or broken. You should hear a distinct snap as you are turning the tractor over. [Reply]  [No Email]
BJH2915 05-14-2010 08:10:03 65.31.87.226 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to Tom 43, 05-13-2010 17:12:00   This is new on me. I never heard of an impulse spring. I've never heard any snaps, even when it started fine last year. What does the impulse spring do? [Reply]  [No Email]
Wilamayb 05-13-2010 15:32:06 164.144.252.26 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to BJH2915, 05-13-2010 15:26:56   Sounds like the points are tarnished. [Reply]  [No Email]
BJH2915 05-13-2010 16:45:25 65.31.87.226 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to Wilamayb, 05-13-2010 15:32:06   Interesting point. So, do I buy new, or can they be polished? [Reply]  [No Email]
BushogPapa 05-13-2010 18:52:25 173.88.92.254 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to BJH2915, 05-13-2010 16:45:25   You can "Burnish" them with a common non-shiney Business card... or any stiff paper.. Ron.. [Reply]  [No Email]
BJH2915 05-13-2010 16:45:16 65.31.87.226 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to Wilamayb, 05-13-2010 15:32:06   Interesting point. So, do I buy new, or can they be polished? [Reply]  [No Email]
2-banger 05-13-2010 17:18:03 74.69.97.11 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to BJH2915, 05-13-2010 16:45:16   sounds like u have a smart neighbor...lol [Reply]  [No Email]
Bob Harvey 05-13-2010 19:34:33 216.86.96.83 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to 2-banger, 05-13-2010 17:18:03   Ditto, I'll never fall for that trick again !! ;^) [Reply]  [No Email]
BJH2915 05-14-2010 08:02:35 65.31.87.226 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to Bob Harvey, 05-13-2010 19:34:33   Thanks for all comments from everyone. I'm going to start from scratch again. It's been a few years since I replaced points, rotor, etc... I had a similar problem with a motorcycle. It ran really bad and I could not find any problems. By pure accident, I put a new set of points in and ran like a champ. I've tried starter fluid. That's not it. Gas is good. I'll find another neighbor to hang on the plug. I've got one on each side of my house. I did try roughing up the surface on the points. To my surprise there was a lot of black junk that came off of it. But it still didn't start. [Reply]  [No Email]
RonMC 05-14-2010 08:33:27 70.69.50.51 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to BJH2915, 05-14-2010 08:02:35   My AR was a hard starter from the time I bought it and I finally pulled the mag off, put it in a vise and turned it over. It was definitely not snapping - the wind-up cogs were not engaging, so it wouldn't start until it got to the point where it was turning fast enough to make spark without the impulse spring. Pulled the impulse cup off the bottom (keeping everything in the proper place) and found the spring in 7 pieces. I ordered a new spring, but since I wanted to run it that day, I took out the small pieces and brazed the 2 pieces with the holders on them together and put it back together. Put the mag back on and it started on the 2nd compression - maybe a little extra snap from a shorter spring ? Anyway, the new spring is still in a bag on the bench a year later - I'm sure I'll recognize the problem if it happens again and will put the new spring in then ! Meanwhile the AR is an easy start ! -Ron Tractors and Mexico travels [Reply]  [No Email]
Deere Guy 05-14-2010 08:33:22 204.54.36.245 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to BJH2915, 05-14-2010 08:02:35   You"re chasing your tail if you"re replacing points. Look at what jdpuller and Tom said. If you aren"t getting spark when you roll it over and don"t here that snap, it"s something related to the impulse. [Reply]  [No Email]
BJH2915 05-14-2010 09:18:18 65.31.87.226 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to Deere Guy, 05-14-2010 08:33:22   I still don't understand what this snap is? Electrical snap or mechanical snap. Where would I hear it coming from? [Reply]  [No Email]
old 05-14-2010 09:53:01 4.245.3.229 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to BJH2915, 05-14-2010 09:18:18   The snap is from the impulse part of the mag. It is sort of loud click sound from the mag and if you turn it over by hand you should be able to hear it loud and clear. No click/trip hard start like I said in my other post. Oh by the way what year is your B. I have a 1935 hand start B so if you have one like I have you learn fast about the impulse work or not working or you end up having to stop to catch your breath 10 times before it starts [Reply]  [No Email]
BJH2915 05-14-2010 11:31:42 65.31.87.226 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to old, 05-14-2010 09:53:01   Looks like I've been misleading everyone, sorry. This is an electric starter with a WICO XB40 which I assume now is not a Mag. Probably explains why I didn't know what the impulse click was. Dah! [Reply]  [No Email]
old 05-14-2010 15:40:51 4.245.6.212 Report to Moderator	Re: Hard or no start John Deere B in reply to BJH2915, 05-14-2010 11:31:42   Well do you have a wire from the battery to an ignition switch and then a wire from that switch to the distributor or what looks like a mag??? If you do then you have a distributor but never heard of a Wico distributor. Now if all you have is a kill switch which grounds out the mag you do have a mag and even electric start JD-Bs had mags on a good many of them [Reply]  [No Email]