getting my tractor running

Allyson · May 5, 2010

I inherited a 40 John Deere it has been changed to a 12 volt system and I am not able to get it to run. I have checked the plugs, points, gas lines, & carburator. It still wont run can anyone give me any suggestion on how to get it working?

Anonymous-0 · May 5, 2010

If it has an inline fuel filter might be causing the problem. Dave

old · May 5, 2010

Do you have spark??? If yes is it a white/blue and will if jump a 1/4 inch gap?? If no then you have a problem with your spark and need to check/clean the points.
Do you have a good steady flow of gas out the drain plug of the carb?? If no then back track to find the stoppage Basic trouble shooting so you need to use the basics and also thing like telling us if it has a distributor or mag can help us help you

Nancy Howell · May 5, 2010

Suggest you purchase the service manual and operator's manual. You can find them on this site and Ebay.

El Toro · May 5, 2010

If you have a magneto and 12 volts, the 12 volts is only used for cranking the engine. Its not used on the ignition. Mags usually have a switch that grounds out the points when stopping the engine. You need to find that if has a mag to make sure its in the run/start position.

If you have a distributor it will require battery voltage from an ignition switch to your coil and from the coil to the points. With the points open and your ignition switch on you should have battery voltage on both small terminals on the coil. Use a volt meter or test lite set on DC volts. As Old suggested pull off a plug wire and have someone make an attempt to start the engine. You may want to use insulated pliers so you don't get bitten. Rub the points with some 320 wet or dry. If you have good hot spark during cranking you have a fuel problem. Have someone to try and start the engine while you spray a small amount of carburetor cleaner into the throat of the carburetor. Don't get too wild with the carb cleaner. If it fires you're not getting fuel into the engine. Hal

greenbeanman in Kansas · May 5, 2010

Not knowing your level of experience an engine basically needs air (compressed air), ignition, and fuel. All have to be timed correctly for combustion.

Is the exhaust stack plugged or the intake plugged. If an oil bath air cleaner make sure there isn't water in the oil. I bought a vehicle a few years ago that a fellow couldn't get to run only to find that it had been snowed on and the snow melted and ran into the air cleaner/oil and the water blocked the airflow.

I like a mystery. If you lived near me I'd offer to drive over and diagnosis it with you. Are you in south central Kansas?

Best wishes.

brian(MN) · May 5, 2010

When I have a problem like this I;

1. check for spark, I like to use my alligator clamp that I have welded a spark plug too. If no spark, I investigate that circuit.
2. Open the carb drain and see if gas flows, if it drips or does not flow at all, the fuel line is plugged somewhere. Make sure the gas is "fresh".
3. Quite often it is something simple.
Brian(MN)

getting my tractor running

Allyson

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Anonymous-0

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old

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Nancy Howell

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El Toro

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greenbeanman in Kansas

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brian(MN)

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