Sudden Shutdown, then easy start after short wait

MOmilkman · Apr 26, 2018

8N, front mount distribuitor

Mowing along tonight and the tractor just completely shuts down as if I had turned the key off. It didnt sputter at all. Just quit.
Plenty of gas. Had spark. I even choked it a little and tried to start it again and it almost started. Then nothing.
Finished mowing with lawn tractor. When I got done I went back and the 8N fired up without missing a beat.
Any idea why?
What should I check?

grayrider · Apr 26, 2018

Could be the coil

Bill M. From Illinois · Apr 26, 2018

Sounds like a restriction in four fuel system. You can take plug out of bottom of carb and see if you a getting enough gas to keep bowl full while running under load. I forget how long it should take to fill like a pint container.

Bruce (VA) · Apr 26, 2018

See tip # 13. As soon as it stops, not 5 minutes later, check for spark and fuel.
75 Tips

Walston · Apr 27, 2018

Sounds like a bad key switch to me. They are known to do this. If it happens again, put a jumper across the key switch and see if it fires up. if it does you need a new switch.

Dean · Apr 27, 2018

Bingo, Walston.

OP: short out key switch with suitable jumper and operate for 30+ minutes. If problem goes away, replace ignition switch.

Dean

wellmax99 · Apr 27, 2018

i have had that with my old Fergy,

one time it was a bad coil, when it got hot the broken wire inside coil would separate and motor would die, after the motor cooled down, coil cooled, motor would start again,

hard item to fine, like chasing your tail.

next was trash in the fuel tank outlet tube to cutoff valve, after a while trash flows just right and plugs tube,
bang around on tank and no longer fuel sucking out of tank, fuel will flow again,

but hardest was the tank vent stopped up, my tractor the tank vent is in the fuel tank cap,
I do not know where the fuel tank vent is on a 8N, but it must be clean and open or you will not have any flow of fuel when vacuum builds up in tank,

let us know what you find wrong,

MOmilkman · Apr 29, 2018

Thank you all so much for the replies! I didnt expect so much input. Thats awesome. I will print this out, keep it handy and then next time it happens I will reference this post. (because Im sure this post will be buried by then! lol
Thanks again!
Darin

Sudden Shutdown, then easy start after short wait

MOmilkman

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grayrider

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Bill M. From Illinois

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Bruce (VA)

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Walston

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Dean

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wellmax99

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MOmilkman

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