I'm sorry this is long but I was needing to elicit some advice. My 1958 TO-35 and I live in Oklahoma. We have had more than our share of rain lately. I haven't started the Massey in a while and I had to replace the battery. My storage is partially out of the weather but not completely. After 12" of rain in 5 days, I tried to start it. It made a gurgling sound and didn't start. I removed the oil sump from the air cleaner and it was full of water. I emptied it out and did not replace the oil. Drained the carburetor, added fresh gas to the tank, let some of that flush through, and cleaned the plugs. I also cranked it a little with each plug out to help get any water out. Lo and behold it started and ran good. I used it to get my driveway passable and put it away, still not refilling the oil in the air cleaner. Couple of days later, I went out and started it, shut it off, and refilled the oil in the air cleaner. Tractor would not start. I removed the oil bowl with oil in it and the tractor started. I replaced the bowl while it was running and it ran fine. Stopped it and it would not restart.
To make a long story short (a little late for that), it will start with the air cleaner oil bowl removed or empty but not with oil in it. I only have it about half full now with the same results.
I know I need to remove the whole thing and soak it in kerosene but work and fixing the flood damage to the house is taking most of my time right now.
Do y'all think cleaning the whole thing will cure my problem or is it something deeper?
Any direction anybody can give me will be much appreciated.
John
To make a long story short (a little late for that), it will start with the air cleaner oil bowl removed or empty but not with oil in it. I only have it about half full now with the same results.
I know I need to remove the whole thing and soak it in kerosene but work and fixing the flood damage to the house is taking most of my time right now.
Do y'all think cleaning the whole thing will cure my problem or is it something deeper?
Any direction anybody can give me will be much appreciated.
John