Welcome! Please use the navigational links to explore our website.
PartsASAP LogoCompany Logo (800) 853-2651

Shop Now

   Allis Chalmers Case Farmall IH Ford 8N,9N,2N Ford
   Ferguson John Deere Massey Ferguson Minn. Moline Oliver

Attention Forum Users: On the 28th of December 2023 at 9:00am Central Time, we will be taking the forums down for maintenance while we prepare the new forums for your use. Please click here for more information.

Discussion Forum
:

John Deere 3020 Gas Problem

Welcome Guest, Log in or Register
Author 
Larry

08-09-2002 09:34:10




Report to Moderator

I have a 1968 JD 3020 gas with 4000 hrs on it. It was running very rich when I bought it and starting skipping going up a steep hill under load. I adjusted the load and idle screws on the carb., converted it over to electronic ignition with negative ground with an alternator, new distributor cap, rotor, plugs, wires and exhaust manifold. The intake manifold didn't have any obvious cracks. It starts very easy and runs good until letting out the clutch to move or adding power - then it starts to spit and sputter. After that it runs better until the load changes such as turning a corner when we were raking hay. I had the JD dealer rebuild the Zenith carb. Now we're thinking it may be a distributor problem. I cleaned out the fuel sediment screen and put a new gas line with filter to the carb. It seems to be getting enough fuel and the engine exhaust is back to normal. The radiator coolant was changed and new engine oil and filter. Both looked normal. I've owned this tractor for 5 months now and haven't been able to use it. If anyone out there had similiar problems or can suggest how to improve it please let me know. Thanks.

[Log in to Reply]   [No Email]
Larry

09-03-2002 09:30:00




Report to Moderator
 Re: John Deere 3020 Gas Problem in reply to Larry, 08-09-2002 09:34:10  
This weekend I adjusted the Zenith carburator float to 1/8" higher than the recommended 1 19/32" to allow more fuel in the bowl. It made an improvement and so far the tractor hasn't acted up yet. I hope this is the solution, but haven't taken it out plowing yet.



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
BD

08-09-2002 15:34:44




Report to Moderator
 Re: John Deere 3020 Gas Problem in reply to Larry, 08-09-2002 09:34:10  
I have the same problem on a 4020



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
RON SEACORD

06-14-2004 11:05:20




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: John Deere 3020 Gas Problem in reply to BD, 08-09-2002 15:34:44  
JUNE 14, 2004

PROBLEM SOLVED:

I TOO HAD A PROBLEM WITH MY RECENTLY ACQUIRED 3020. THE TRACTOR WOULD STALL UNDER CONDITIONS THAT REQUIRED IT TO LOAD UP. I COULD NOT EVEN USE THE BREAKS FOR TURNING. WE TRIED MANY ADJUSTMENTS AND HAD NO LUCK. I WAS BEGINNING TO REGRET HAVING BOUGHT THE BEAST.

THE PROBLEM IS SOLVED AND THE SECRET IS THE CHOKE.

AFTER HAVING REMOVED AND CLEANED THE GAS TANK, THE CARBURETOR, AND FUEL LINES, AND HAVING A MECHANIC REBUILD THE CARBURETOR AND STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS I WAS DISCOURAGED.

WHEN I PICKED THE TRACTOR UP AT THE MECHANICS SHOP, I MADE IT ABOUT 30 YARDS DOWN THE ROAD AND IT STARTED COUGHING AND SPUTTERING, SO I TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK TO THE MECHANIC. HE ADJUSTED THE CHOKE AND I TOOK THE 3020 HOME.

WHILE RUNNING A BRUSH HOG THE PROBLEM STARTED UP AGAIN. AT LEAST THIS TIME I HAD A CLUE AS TO WHAT THE PROBLEM MAY BE. I NOTICED THAT THE CHOKE KNOB HAD BEEN PUSHED OUT! AND I HAD NOT DONE IT! SO I PUSHED IT BACK IN AND THE ENGINE RAN SMOOTHLY. THE NEXT TIME I MADE A TURN USING THE BREAKS THE SAME THING HAPPENED AND I PUSHED THE CHOKE KNOB BACK IN.

I SPENT THE REST OF THE MOWING SESSION WITH MY TOE ON THE CHOKE KNOB KEEPING IT PUSHED IN. THE ENGINE RAN FINE.

IT APPEARS THAT WHEN MORE POWER IS CALLED FOR, THAT THE PRESSURE IN THE CARBURETOR CAUSES THE CHOKE FLAP TO CLOSE AND FLOOD OUT THE ENGINE.

NEXT MORNING I MADE SURE THAT THE CHOKE WAS ALL OF THE WAY OPEN AND SET THE SETSCREW ON THE CABLE . I THEN TOOK A PIECE OF LIGHT CHAIN (LIKE SASH CHAIN) AND A SPRING AND HOOKED THEM TOGETHER. THE SPRING WAS COILED THROUGH ONE END OF THE CHAIN. THE OTHER END OF THE CHAIN WAS HOOKED OVER THE SETSCREW FOR THE CHOKE CABLE . THEN THE SPRING WAS STRETCHED FORWARD AND HOOKED TO THE SHROUD OF THE RADIATOR FAN. THIS PREVENTED THE CHOKE FROM COMING ON. THE SPRING IS LIGHT ENOUGH THAT IT DOES NOT PREVENT ME FROM PULLING OUT THE CHOKE WHEN I START THE ENGINE, BUT IT IS HEAVY ENOUGH TO KEEP THE CHOKE OPEN UNDER LOAD.

THE TRACTOR RUNS FINE FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THIS HELPS YOU. GOOD LUCK! [email protected]

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
G Taylor

08-09-2002 12:03:28




Report to Moderator
 Re: John Deere 3020 Gas Problem in reply to Larry, 08-09-2002 09:34:10  
The exhaust manifold heat needs to be on unless ploughing in 90+F weather. The engine thermosat needs to be a 195F. The ports and valves maybe sooted up from cold/rich running and need cleaning. The carb float level maybe high due to adustment or a "water logged" float. Sometimes it's best to just hurl the origional carb and install a new one on new generation gas tractors. Check the valve lash and lift with a dial micrometer if all else fails.Compression test can't hurt either.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Dr. Evil

08-09-2002 12:52:46




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: John Deere 3020 Gas Problem in reply to G Taylor, 08-09-2002 12:03:28  
Wow... That exh. valve heat explains a lot. There were a couple 3020 Gas tractors in the neighborhood when I grew up. If they were pulled at all in warm weather the insides of the exh. pipe would be just pure white! They also had the reputation of needing sleeves/pistons and a valve job about every 2000 hours. Plus plugs every 100-200 hours. Seemed like Deere REALLY had them running lean!



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
G Taylor

08-09-2002 15:37:12




Report to Moderator
 Re: Re: Re: John Deere 3020 Gas Problem in reply to Dr. Evil, 08-09-2002 12:52:46  
What often happened ,the center cylinders would run rich, 2 & 4 so so but 1 & 6 would be lean. More pronouced at light loads,cool temps and low rpms. The coolant and mixture temp has to be kept up and mixture on the edge of lean missfire for #1 when on puttering around jobs. Ploughing all day or running a forage harvestor is a whole different story. Richer mix and no manifold heat for those tasks. 99% of operators likely never knew about manifold heat.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Larry

08-09-2002 10:08:39




Report to Moderator
 Re: John Deere 3020 Gas Problem in reply to Larry, 08-09-2002 09:34:10  
Greg,

I bought a new coil from Genesee Products with the electronic ignition kit. The coil says it has an internal resistor. Did you have to add another resistor to get your tractor to run right?



[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Greg H.

08-09-2002 10:02:46




Report to Moderator
 Re: John Deere 3020 Gas Problem in reply to Larry, 08-09-2002 09:34:10  
Larry,
When you converted to electronic ignition, did you put a hotter coil? I think your stock Coil is something like 16 or 22 KV. When I converted to Electronic ignition, I went with a hotter coil, that required the use of an external resistor of about 1.5 ohm before it ran correctly. Once after that the resistor went bad, and my 4020 Gas acted just as you are discribing your 3020. I would check for ignition problems first, and then for partially blocked passages in the carb. Good Luck Greg H.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
Greg H.

08-09-2002 10:01:12




Report to Moderator
 Re: John Deere 3020 Gas Problem in reply to Larry, 08-09-2002 09:34:10  
Larry,
When you converted to electronic ignition, did you put a hotter coil? I think your stock Coil is something like 16 or 22 KV. When I converted to Electronic ignition, I went with a hotter coil, that required the use of an external resistor of about 1.5 ohm before it ran correctly. Once after that the resistor went bad, and my 4020 Gas acted just as you are discribing your 3020. I would check for ignition problems first, and then for partially blocked passages in the carb. Good Luck Greg H.

[Log in to Reply]  [No Email]
[Options]  [Printer Friendly]  [Posting Help]  [Return to Forum]   [Log in to Reply]

Hop to:


TRACTOR PARTS TRACTOR MANUALS
We sell tractor parts!  We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today. [ About Us ]

Home  |  Forums


Copyright © 1997-2023 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy

TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters

Website Accessibility Policy