MF 35 tune up (won't start)

sam in nc · Oct 21, 2017

I'm helping a friend with his MF35 (gas) and going to see it for the first time tomorrow. He tells me it won't start, but does backfire when trying to start. I'm thinking timing and/or plug wires on wrong. Am I on the right track? Is there a good tune up and timing guide out there that I can access?

Thanks,

Sam

old · Oct 21, 2017

Firing order is likely if the person does not know about it and just pulls all the plug wires off and put them back on any place he thinks was ok. But incorrect point gap can also cause that problem

rockepg · Oct 21, 2017

What is the history on this? Was it working fine and this just started happening? Did he try and do a tune up and this is the result or.. ?

sam in nc · Oct 21, 2017

I don't the entire history. Believe it sat for a quite awhile and then they tried to start it. I know they haven't been inside the engine and they've replace the carburetor. Not sure what else they've tried or done.

Charles in Aus. · Oct 21, 2017

My FE35 wouldn't start after sitting while I recovered from an operation . It has the Standard Motors petrol engine fitted .
I went through the entire fuel and electrical system changing parts in frustration with no result .
I then put my hand over the air intake [with the filter removed ]
while it was cranking over , almost no suction .
A stuck valve on no. 2 was easily loosened with a flick of a screwdriver and it has run well ever since .
Try it , it's an easy test and might save you some grief .

sam in nc · Oct 21, 2017

Thanks - I'll put my compression gauge in my tool box to take with me tomorrow.

sam in nc · Oct 22, 2017

Thank you all for your assistance.

I used the hand over the intake trick and found good vacuum. Nice troubleshooting tip.

I got it running and here is what I found.

Somewhere I read that number 1 plug wire on distributor should be about 11:00 o'clock is was set between 8 and 9. Reset to 11 and it started immediately. After running for just a couple of minutes I shut it off. Then couldn't get the push button ignition (recently replaced) to work so traced electrical down and discovered this new push button ignition was defective. Couldn't get starter to engage when using a jumper across the ignition button. Used a jumper wire from bendix to battery and got it running again. However, wouldn't run very long and acted like it was running out of gas. It was - the outlet from the fuel tank was mostly plugged.

Thanks again for all of the tips!

MF 35 tune up (won't start)

sam in nc

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old

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rockepg

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sam in nc

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Charles in Aus.

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sam in nc

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sam in nc

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