STUMPED: Flooded/Hard Starting

[Stanton]

Attended the Chilhowee Antique Farm Machinery Collectors tractor show this weekend (since I couldn't make Cub-Arama) and when I arrived, we went to eat breakfast (20-30 minutes), then went back and tried starting my Cub. Wouldn't start. Appeared to be flooded. I did pull the choke rod once or twice, but no more. I removed the carb bowl screw and emptied out the gas, took the air intake connection off (gas was inside) and cleaned it out, even removed the main fuel jet. Still wouldn't start. I left it there and made the tour looking at the other tractors. Then I returned in an hour or so, and removed the whole carb, emptied it; still didn't start. I noticed that gas was sputtering out of the drain hole below the carb when I pulled the starter rod (I did not have the choke rod pulled during this time).

Any suggestions?

On the way home, I said to my wife, "Watch. She'll start as soon as we get home." Sure enough, started right up after getting home and drove it off the trailer. Frustrating!!

[Eugene]

1) Needle valve area, most likely crud under needle valve.
2) Float drop not set properly or float hanging up on side of bowl.

Shut off the fuel supply at the tank when parking the tractor?

[ScottyD'sdad]

Something loose, electrically? Coil or distributor wiring. Would suck in fuel, if not firing, flooding it. Vibration, going back home wiggling the connection enough, to reconnect? Intermittent problems, can drive a saint, to drink and cuss! Ed

[tractordad]

Attended the Chilhowee Antique Farm Machinery Collectors tractor show this weekend (since I couldn't make Cub-Arama) and when I arrived, we went to eat breakfast (20-30 minutes), then went back and tried starting my Cub. Wouldn't start. Appeared to be flooded. I did pull the choke rod once or twice, but no more. I removed the carb bowl screw and emptied out the gas, took the air intake connection off (gas was inside) and cleaned it out, even removed the main fuel jet. Still wouldn't start. I left it there and made the tour looking at the other tractors. Then I returned in an hour or so, and removed the whole carb, emptied it; still didn't start. I noticed that gas was sputtering out of the drain hole below the carb when I pulled the starter rod (I did not have the choke rod pulled during this time).

Any suggestions?

On the way home, I said to my wife, "Watch. She'll start as soon as we get home." Sure enough, started right up after getting home and drove it off the trailer. Frustrating!!

I agree with Eugene on this. Your float may hang up just a bit from time to time and continually allow fuel to flow into the carburetor thus flooding the system. I always shut off the fuel supply if the tractor will be sitting at all and I'll shut it off an run the fuel out of it if it will be sitting for any extended period of time. The drive home may have dislodged the float if it was sticking and given it time for the excess fuel to flow out of the carburetor. On the other hand, seeing that you drained it and still had problems, it could have been something completely different. I would shut the fuel off every time you stop using it. If it does not start when you go to re-use it (after turning the fuel back on) you'll know it's something else.

[Stanton]

I always shut the fuel off when parking it and the fuel was shut off for the ride down there and back.

I've been wanting to do a rebuild on the carb for a few months anyway, so will probably move it up on the "to do" list.

Thanks for the input.

[Stanton]

Last week, I started my '47 like usual, started quick. Drove it out to the back yard and connected a huge pallet to it and dragged it to the barn to cut up. While there idling, the tractor died. The gas valve was on, so I know it was getting gas to the carb. I tried re-starting, but it flooded out (just like at the Chilhowee Tractor Show). I removed the carb, took it apart and cleaned it. Put it back on; still flooded. Left it set for a few hours; nothing.

Then I received a new complete carb rebuild kit from Steiner's on Friday. Finished that yesterday, re-installed the carb tested the fuel bowl level with the tubing making sure it's 9/16"-5/8" below the gasket surface. Cranked on it and it acted like nothing was any different. Gas literally poured out of the weep hole after each starting cycle.

Went around to the magneto and noticed #3 wire was not fully seated in the rotor cap.

Something loose, electrically? Coil or distributor wiring. Would suck in fuel, if not firing, flooding it. Vibration, going back home wiggling the connection enough, to reconnect? Intermittent problems, can drive a saint, to drink and cuss! Ed

Would an electrical issue (i.e. bad or no connection) cause the carb to flood out like this?

What other suggestions do you have? I need help.

Thanks!

[Barnyard]

My guess is It's not exactly that it's an electrical problem causing the flooding, but it is an indirect result. While you are cranking the engine, the carb will continue to pull the fuel even though it isn't starting. Since it is not firing due to the wire being off, the fuel has nowhere to go but out the carb.

[Stanton]

My guess is It's not exactly that it's an electrical problem causing the flooding, but it is an indirect result. While you are cranking the engine, the carb will continue to pull the fuel even though it isn't starting. Since it is not firing due to the wire being off, the fuel has nowhere to go but out the carb.

That makes sense. Maybe I'm looking at the wrong end of the horse. I'll start doing a wiring check this week; test for continuity and connections.

What about points and condenser? It always (well, use to always) start up right quick, so I never have replaced the points or condenser from when I got it two years ago.

[MainelyCubs]

I had a problem like that a few weeks ago and I played with the carb for a few days. Come to find out it was electrical. Are you sure that you are getting spark. Maybe check the coil. Good luck and keep us posted on what you find.

[Ike]

Stanton,

Next step - Check for spark at the plugs. Don't undo a lot of things before you check that.

Ike