Creative Electrical Troubleshooting

Well we finally got some snow to push last night. The other day we got about 2-3 inches but that doesn't count. Last night we got between 6-8 inches, something worth getting out to plow. I got up early to plow out my drive and the neighbor across the street before we both left for church. All went well but I didn't have time to plow my second driveway that goes back to the barn. I also wanted to plow out another neighbor that is visiting parents in California this week.

After getting home from church I went out to finish my plowing job. I started my '53 to let it warm up while I opened the overhead door and figured I'd check the fuel level while I was at it but didn't think it should be too low. After opening the door I started to remove the gas cap and suddenly the tractor just died. It was as if someone had just shut off the ignition switch. I tried to start it again and it wouldn't even fire, not a pop. I assumed it was an electrical issue so I checked voltage to the coil and it had 6 volts. Next, I popped off the distributor cap and looked at the points and saw they were pitted so I used some emery paper to shine up the contacts. I pulled out the manual to check the point gap. Point gap should be set at .020". Mine was quite a bit less than the specified amount so I set the gap to .020. Before putting the cap back on, I cranked it over and looked to make sure that I had spark at the points. Yep. Cranked it over again and it still wouldn't start. Bummer!!

Okay, I've got spark so that only leaves fuel as a probable cause to keep it from running. So......I pulled the gas cap off and looked inside the tank and guess what? Yep.

Just thought I'd let you know that I am available for expert troubleshooting if you have a problem with your any of your Cubs.

Just be glad it died in the garage, and not in the middle of a big pile of snow. Several years ago I was driving my H in a parade. I had not bothered to check the gas, since I had filled it earlier in the summer and only driven it a time or two. On the return to the starting point it started to sputter. I managed to keep it running with the choke till I got to a gas station. When I figured it up I had been in a ride, and 4 parades each one an hour and a half of more long with it that summer. OOPs.

Been there, done that.

I always try to keep a full tank so as to cut down on condensation! Wow I spelled that big word right the first time.

I can remember someone running out of gas going down the track at the Cub Tug one year. I wonder who that could be?

Scrivet has the gas flow worked to a science. Since everywhere you go on the farm is downhill from the barn, he says all you gotta do is crank it with starter till it facing downhill. And you got enough reserve to BACK IT UP HILL TO barn and more gas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-tCIRJH9p0

I can't say a word - I tried to crank mine a few days ago and it acted like it wasn't firing. Traced electrical until I found the (non-original) key in the O-F-F position.

If they hay been setting for a while the dang gas does not help any either , I have had to drain a lot of old gas out this year. I gona start putting in a quart or so at a time:D

I found Stable to big a good help. As I reread this I finally realized where the electricity came in. It was the lack there of between the ears??????? Always look for the easy things first. I always think of Beverly when something doesn't go the way I want it. Thinking of her a KISS. So my trouble shooting always starts Keep it simple stupid.

Rick:

You ain't the first and certainly not the last. Ray still won't let me forget my own little trip down the "no gas in the tank" road

... start putting in a quart or so at a time:D

Probably a wise move for equipment seldomly used.

Last year I did some research on modern gasoline after finding some I stored for 2 years smelled like what you would normally find in the tank of a tractor that sat in the field for 20 years.

Quick summary: Additives evaporate, gas with ethanol draws moisture, and gas oxidizes much quicker than older blends of straight gas, especially if not stored air tight.

Gas does go bad faster and stabilizers won't buy the time they used to and will never restore gas that has started to spoil.

Out of the many articles I read, this one provides the most info and is consistent with similar research if you are interested in the topic.

http://www.straightdope.com/columns/rea ... so-quickly