John Deere 316 onan engine problem

Brian Dan

Member
I'm working on a John Deere 316 with a Onan engine with breaker points.
My problem is that the breaker points are stuck open and will not close. I have replaced the push rod, points and the mounting plate.
The points are adjusted to spec. I can put more pressure them with a screw driver then they will close and I can get the engine to run but as soon as i remove the added pressure on the points they will stay open. I was thinking that i could add a additional point spring to increase the tension to help close them.
Other thoughts or have you ever run into this problem?
Brian
 
you have to pull those points and check to see if they open and close by themself if you open them wit your finger if they open and close with no problem then pull your push rod that opens the points and see if you feel a drag on them as you pull it out if so then you have a burr on the rod ends or it is bent. hone the sharp edges on the rod where it was cut to lenght, i had that trouble with a kohler and it was the problem i had with the push rod.if the points are tight were they pivet on th stud then they are defective.. put oil on the rod when you reassmble it
 
I had installed a new push rod and still had the problem. I then replaced the points mounting plate that the push rod travels in and still did the same thing. The point are new and they close properly when they are out of the engine when I install the points and turn the engine over the points will open and stay open. If i put more tension on the points they will close and I can get the engine to run. As soon as I take the tension off they will stick open.
Brian
 
Maybe the holes in the block, gasket and point mounting plate are not completely aligned. I'd take the push rod out, loosen the mounting bolts and use the push rod to align everything, then retighten the bolts.
 
I finally cracked the code to my ignition problem. Where the cam is there is some type of bearing that shifted just enough to rub on the push rod. I went in from the top with two different tools and pried the bearing back into place, It was not easy to move but it did move.
I reassembled the points and set them and the engine fired up and running smooth. What a head ache!
Thanks for your suggestions but this one really was a real mystery.
Brian
 
Both engines use the same cam bearing. If it has moved. Their could be a problem again in the future. They are put in with a bearing
tool and should not move. You will have to remove the cam to make the repair. You might get lucky and remove the bearing plug. Apply
some loctite to the outer surface of the bearing. That may work better than taking the engine apart.

Bearing number is 101-0405.
 
It was the cam bearing that shifted. Most of the time no problem. I found a few that did but not a common problem. Onan tech from 1980-2008. Still work on them.
 

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