Tractor Will Not Start

Bemidji 52 M · Dec 28, 2009

So after clearing all the snow Saturday I decided to do some clean up work with my M today. Was working fine was going to do the last run up the driveway put it into reverse and then the tractor just died.

While cranking the fan moves but the rotor in the distributor does not move. What are the steps in troubleshooting this and how bad is it going to be.

The tractor is a 52 M with a live hydraulic pump before the distributor.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 28, 2009

Its possible the cam nut fell off and the cam gear slid enough, or stripped the key way.

Check all the usual places, pins in the distributor shaft, or the drives.

Live HYD pump tractors without a left handed cam nut are famous for this, I hope this isnt another case.

Im not too sure on how to check for that without taking something apart.
Might have sheered a key inside the pump??

I would say, pulling the oil pan off and seeing if the cam is moving,,,, if it does and no slop, it has to be a roll pin, or a keyway in the pump? ChadS

ScottyHOMeY · Dec 28, 2009

Be careful about doing anything to make the motor turn over at this stage. Someone had, I think, an A that quit in that manner in the last week or two.

Something is gone in the gear train between the crank and the distributor, which means there may be loose bits and parts loose in there that can damage things further. It could be just in the distributor, which isn't too costly or bothersome a fix. If it's any of the gears in the front (crank, cam, ignition drive, idler or governor), the repair will be more work and probably cost, but not running it will prevent any further damage.

heavy hauler too · Dec 28, 2009

Ithink I would start with the rool pin in the bottom of the dist , it't the fastets to find and fix.

D Slater · Dec 28, 2009

Since you already tried cranking with no start and if it still cranks at good speed. Engage the hydraulics while cranking to see if the pump still pumps. If it does check the rear pump drive lug key, distribtor drive gears and pin.
If it doesn't try to pump look at gear and shaft on the front of pump and if okay you can also see the cam gear through pump drive hole. stick your finger or something else in hole to see if gear moves anyway but with a little backlash, or if you roll engine and see teeth missing or a broken gear forget about shaking it. If you find those problems or the gear doesn't move when engine is turned, its front engine cover removale time.

El Toro · Dec 28, 2009

Pull the distributor and see if the drive gear on it is ok. If the gear looks ok and the woodruff key isn't sheared. Look down inside where the distributor was installed and have someone just bump the engine over easily and see if the gear is moving that drives the distributor. You will need a good flashlight. If they not moving I think you're going to have to pull off the front of the engine to get to the timing gear. Hal

Bemidji 52 M · Dec 29, 2009

It finally warmed up above 0 so went out and took a look. The distributor is good and while looking around it looks like I can take the hydraulic pump off from the side.
The biggest problem is that you can only spend 30min to 1 hour outside before you start loosing feeling.
So next relatively warm day I will have to drain the hydraulics and remove the pump and see what I can find.
Thanks for all the replies and help.

Tractor Will Not Start

Bemidji 52 M

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Anonymous-0

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ScottyHOMeY

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heavy hauler too

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D Slater

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El Toro

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Bemidji 52 M

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