Starting Fluid?

dahermit · Dec 1, 2016

I have not run my 1948 8N for about a month. When I parked in the barn waiting for snow plowing season, it had new points, condenser, rotor and cap. It started and ran really good. However, after sitting idle for a month, it does not want to start. Fires once and then just turns over without catching. I suspect that the attempt and then no start fouled the plugs, put new plugs in, still not start. At this point, the plugs are out and letting the gas evaporate out of the cylinders, have a trouble light next to the carb to help the gas vaporize when attempting to start. I also, have a radiator hose heater that I will plug in 1/2 hour or so before the next attempt.
The question is: Would a shot of starting fluid be of any harm to the old girl?

Bruce (VA) · Dec 1, 2016

" However, after sitting idle for a month,..."

And no float charger either?

I'd suspect a weak spark.

Put your battery on a charger. (see tip # 60)

Clean the plugs off w/ brake cleaner & put them back in.

And starter fluid in the carb throat won't hurt, but a strong spark will work better.
75 Tips

Ultradog MN · Dec 1, 2016

I would first take a piece of brown paper from a grocery bag, clamp it between the points and pull it out.
You likely have "invisible corrosion" on them. The paper should clean them.

Dean · Dec 1, 2016

Have you flooded it? This is very easy to do with modern gasoline. If you have, remove the plugs and sandblast or wire brush to clean. Time may not be sufficient with modern gasoline.

You must have winter formula gasoline in the carburetor if you want your N to start reliably in cold temperatures. When did you last add gasoline?

Dean

dahermit · Dec 1, 2016

I forgot to mention that yes, it was on a float charger.

dahermit · Dec 1, 2016

Update: Went out to the tractor a little while ago, found that I had left the radiator hose heater plugged in all night...engine was nice and hot. Cleaned the spark plugs and put them back in. It did not want to start but finally did. Ran rough for a few minutes and then smoothed out and ran fine...suspect that old Summer gasoline. Shut her down and filled the tank with gas. I don't anticipate anymore starting problems...will run it every few days to keep it easy to start.

Steve Oller · Dec 1, 2016

If the battery is charged and all is adjusted properly starting fluid isn't nessesary. I haven't bought a can in years. The owners manual for my 7.3 turbo charged diesel says not to use. Almost caught my BIL spraying that junk in my truck last winter. Told him to take it home and leave it there. I don't use it on anything. just sayin...

HFJ · Dec 1, 2016

[i:a5db302bbe][b:a5db302bbe]"The owners manual for my 7.3 turbo charged diesel says not to use."[/b:a5db302bbe][/i:a5db302bbe]

i'm going to guess dahermit's 8N does not have a diesel engine in it. what does your owner's manual say about gasoline?

Steve Oller · Dec 1, 2016

(quoted from post at 21:54:19 12/01/16)
[i:aeb1e9f9f1][b:aeb1e9f9f1]"The owners manual for my 7.3 turbo charged diesel says not to use."[/b:aeb1e9f9f1][/i:aeb1e9f9f1]

i'm going to guess dahermit's 8N does not have a diesel engine in it. what does your owner's manual say about gasoline?

f you payed attention I said I don't use it in Anything. Want to barrow my glasses?

Steve Oller · Dec 1, 2016

(quoted from post at 22:11:13 12/01/16)

(quoted from post at 21:54:19 12/01/16)
[i:4cfde9b3ca][b:4cfde9b3ca]"The owners manual for my 7.3 turbo charged diesel says not to use."[/b:4cfde9b3ca][/i:4cfde9b3ca]

i'm going to guess dahermit's 8N does not have a diesel engine in it. what does your owner's manual say about gasoline?

Click to expand...

f you payed attention I said I don't use it in Anything. Want to barrow my glasses?

heirs always some S/A who wants to make a big deal out of everything I say!!!

HFJ · Dec 2, 2016

no thanks, my glasses work fine. i just don't understand the relevance of something in a diesel engine manual here.

Tim PloughNman Daley RIP · Dec 3, 2016

I?d say your problem is fuel related for sure. Did you perform the usual tests? Fuel line to carb ?is it getting a good, steady stream? There are 3 screens in the N fuel system ?two in the sediment bowl assembly, one in the brass elbow at the carb. Keep a set of clean plugs in the tractor toolbox along with an appropriate spark plug wrench for when you flood the plugs out. When not in operation, always shut off the fuel valve. When tractor will set for 30 days or more, remove battery ground cable. By all means keep any heat source away from exposed gas. You don?t want to start a fire and lose your precious tractor do you? Plugs can be cleaned and dried out with a little brass wire brush and compressed air. I once had a BIL too, though he had 2 Masters Degrees in business, was NOT mechanically inclined. One Christmas morning he tried to warm up his car battery with a trouble light. Set the thing on top of the battery and next thing is it melted away the case ?almost a catastrophic disaster until I caught it and stopped it.

Tim

Starting Fluid?

dahermit

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Bruce (VA)

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Ultradog MN

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Dean

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dahermit

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dahermit

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Steve Oller

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HFJ

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Steve Oller

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Steve Oller

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HFJ

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Tim PloughNman Daley RIP

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