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Harry Ferguson Tractors Discussion Forum
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TO-20 starts, but will not stay running.

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Dave B II

10-23-2006 13:29:08




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I"m trying to fix a 1951 TO-20 for a friend. Here is the history of the problem:

1. At the onset of the problem, the tractor would start, run for about 5 minutes, then die. After a few minutes, it would start again, and then run for another 5 minutes.

2. While sitting idle, with the fuel valve open, a steady drip of fuel was coming out of the bottom of the carburetor.

3. I replaced the carburetor, and set the idle and power screws to the settings recommended in my service manual (7/8 for the idle, 1 3/8 for the power).

4. After replacing the carb, the tractor started and ran fine.

5. Yesterday it started, but after a few minutes, it started bucking and snorting. She was able to keep it running by playing with the choke, but it didn"t run very well.

6. I toyed with the carb settings this morning. It will start if choked, but will die shortly after the choke is set to off. After it was warm, it would occasionally start without the choke, but would die within 5 - 30 seconds.

Does anyone have any thoughts, ideas, or experience that would help me out here? Is it possible that the coil is the problem? Thank you very much.

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Dave B II

10-25-2006 18:42:25




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 Re: TO-20 starts, but will not stay running. in reply to Dave B II, 10-23-2006 13:29:08  
It"s running now. The passage from the fuel tank to the fuel bowl was clogged with dirt, grease, grass, hay, etc.

I told her to lean out her fuel-dirt mixture.

Thank you for all the help.



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Jerry/MT

10-23-2006 22:25:16




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 Re: TO-20 starts, but will not stay running. in reply to Dave B II, 10-23-2006 13:29:08  
When the tractor starts and runs for 5 minutes and stops, pull the centerwire out of the distributor, hold it near( 1/4") a good ground and try a start. If you have a fat, bluish white spark, your ignition system is ok. If you don't, ( you get a red ot a yellowish spark) get a voltmeter and check the voltage in the primary ignition system including the key switch. With the key on and the points closed, you should have near battery voltage on both sides of the key switch and all the way to the battery side of the coil. On the distributor side of the coil, you should have about a half a volt or less. if your voltages are significantly less up to the coil, look for a bad key switch and/or loose or dirty connections.Also make sure the battery ground is making a good connection.
If you have a good spark after shutdown, then there is something wrong with the fuel delivery system or the carburetor. Open the big drain plug in the bottom of the carb with the tank valve open. The fuel should CONTINUOUSLY gush out like a cow peein' on a flat rock. If it doesn't check the three filters and check the vent in the gas cap to make sure it is clear.If they are clear, I'd suspect a dirty carb or a bad float setting. You say your carb is dripping so the float is set too high, but it should run but with too rich of a mixture. The float could be sticking so rap the carb with a small wood block and see if it stops dripping.
Make sure that you don't have an air leak at the carb to manifold connect flange ot in the intake manifold to head connection. Spray starting fluid (BUT BE CAREFUL ITS FLAMABLE) arond the carb to manifold connect flange and the manifold to head connection with the engine running and see if it speeds up. If it does, you have an airleak downstream of the carb metering section leaning the mixture.
Do these checks one at a time and try starting after each change. ite down the results.If you start and run after one of them, you'll know what the cause of the problem was.

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Dave B II

10-24-2006 22:25:46




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 Re: TO-20 starts, but will not stay running. in reply to Jerry/MT, 10-23-2006 22:25:16  
Thanks for the ideas everyone. I"ll give these a try and hope for the best. This tractor isn"t a candidate for professional help, just trying to keep it running for a few months until the owner can get a new tractor. She needs something reliable, and this one is coming down with too many ailments. It"ll probably be best for a restoration project for someone.



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brian_tx

10-23-2006 14:30:32




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 Re: TO-20 starts, but will not stay running. in reply to Dave B II, 10-23-2006 13:29:08  
Sounds like it could be a fuel delivery problem. With the plug out of the bottom of the carburetor, fuel should run out in a rapid stream. Also check the float level in the carburetor to be sure it is not set incorrectly.



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Gerald J.

10-23-2006 15:43:07




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 Re: TO-20 starts, but will not stay running. in reply to brian_tx, 10-23-2006 14:30:32  
You need to readjust those carburetor settings so it runs good, providing there isn't another problem with fuel supply or ignition.

The shop manual settings are only close enough to get the engine to run enough to let you tune it properly. Set the idle mixture screw for the fastest idle while holding the throttle from being moved by the governor, or for the governor closing the throttle the most.

Adjust the power jet for best high speed operation under load. As a first approximation you can adjust for fastest engine speed with the throttle held fixed while the engine is running 2000 RPM or for minimum throttle controlled by the carburetor. But you will probably need to run it a little richer to have a good transition from idle to run. Each jet affects the other so you have to alternate the adjustments until you have allowed for their interactions.

If it won't run long enough for you to accomplish these adjustments you have to determine if fuel is in short supply which can be caused by grunge in the fuel line, filters, gas tank, gas cap, or the inlet filter screen on the carburetor, or a sticking float needle or float. If fuel is in good supply (a continuous stream out the float bowl drain is a good sine of a lack of restriction in the fuel system, not just a splash but continuous for minutes) the coil can fail as it warms up, and recover as it cools. Less comonly a condenser can do that. Too much wear in the distributor shaft and bearings can upset ignition.

You may need to find someone experienced in vintage engines to accomplish the repairs.

Gerald J.

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