MF245 runs badly Need help please

SteveinMo · Oct 26, 2017

Purchased this MF245 two years ago used. Looked like it had not been serviced for some time so this summer I took the loader off and did a full tune up and lube job. Then the starter went out followed by the alternator. Since all this work I have not been able to get it to run worth a darn. Starts right up and will move along, but any load causes sputtering and loss of power. Carb has been sent out to this site and been rebuilt. Fuel filter replaced. I am at a loss. Fireing order is 1342 but I am not sure which is which on the cap. Can?t find that in my service manual.
Any chance the muffler could be plugged up?
Sorry for such a long post but I really need some help.
As always Thanks for the help, Steve

old · Oct 26, 2017

No correct place for #1 to be on the cap since most distributors can be dropped in so any of the 4 nipples can be #1. So you has to get #1 cylinder up at TDC and then pull the cap off and see where it is pointing. Also good to have the cap off when getting it to TDC so as you watch which way the rotor is turning so you know where the next plug wire should go. That said trouble shoot
#1 make sure you have a good blue/white spark that will jump a 1/4 inch gap at the center wire of the distributor cap and at all 4 plug wires. Also make sure the plugs are not dirty or gas or oil fouled.
#2 make sure you have a good steady flow of gas into and out of the carb drain plug.
#3 make sure the air filter is not clogged up.
#4 make sure the point gap is correct at all 4 lobes of the distributor

SteveinMo · Oct 26, 2017

Thanks for the fast reply. If I bring the flywheel around to BTDC am I in the right spot or 180 out? Air filters are new but I even took them out. Fuel flow is good, spark plugs are new. I will pull them to check and then check spark as you suggested.
Thanks again for the help. Buy the way is this the Old from central Mo?

old · Oct 26, 2017

Yep I live in Missouri the Lake of the Ozarks area.
As for the timing marks they can be right on or 180 out . So the rotor can point to the correct plug as in #1 or be 180 out. If you get it 180 out it is a simple swap across the cap to get it right. My e-mail is always open of you need more help or if a phone call would help just let me know

gbs · Oct 26, 2017

try another set of points and condenser of a different brand, shop tuned up a digger unit that was running fine before the tune up, afterwards it would start up and run fine until you started loading it, then it would start skipping, field mechanic looked at the brand of points installed at the shop and said I be in a minute, he installed a set of Echlin points and condenser that solved the problem, the ones he removed weren't hurt. He said he watch two mechanics at a Pontiac dealership work on a car the better part of a day and it still wouldn't run right until one of the older mechanics convinced them to switch brands of points and condenser, he said it left the shop smoking the tires.

MF245 runs badly Need help please

SteveinMo

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old

Well-known Member

SteveinMo

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old

Well-known Member

gbs

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