Tractor shutting off and starting with jumper cables

[Rick Spivey]

Sounds more like a fuel flow issue now that the battery is charged. The flow from the fuel tank to the carburetor should be checked, there may be an obstruction of some sort.

[Eugene]

Okay so strange to me, I let it sit all night in the garden. Went out at 6am before work and she fired right up. I was able to get it back indoors. I’m stumped.

Ignition coil faulting/failure.

[CDKL]

Just from observation the flow seems fine to the carburetor, I just can’t understand why fuel will stream from the bottom of the carburetor when trying to crank it after it dies.

[CDKL]

That was my next question, could it be the coil or the distributor. Would that cause the carb bowl to stream fuel from the drain?

[ricky racer]

I hope your, nearly new, battery survives! Setting dead through the winter will kill a good battery. Next year, get a maintainer to keep it charged. The advice given above is just what I would do, as well but don’t drag your feet getting it charged back up.

[CDKL]

I hope your, nearly new, battery survives! Setting dead through the winter will kill a good battery. Next year, get a maintainer to keep it charged. The advice given above is just what I would do, as well but don’t drag your feet getting it charged back up.

Battery seems to be doing well since I slow charged it.

[ricky racer]

I hope your, nearly new, battery survives! Setting dead through the winter will kill a good battery. Next year, get a maintainer to keep it charged. The advice given above is just what I would do, as well but don’t drag your feet getting it charged back up.

Battery seems to be doing well since I slow charged it.

A battery maintainer will save you a lot of money by extending the life of your batteries in vehicles that sit unused for long periods of time.

[Eugene]

That was my next question, could it be the coil or the distributor. Would that cause the carb bowl to stream fuel from the drain?

Tractor dying after a short period of operation, 15 - 20 minutes, then restarting after cool down is typical of a coil failure.

Crud under needle valve will permit fuel to continue flowing. Clean the carburetor and the sediment bowl or replace the fuel filter.

[Don McCombs]

Without going back and reading the entire thread, has any work been done on the carburetor?

[CDKL]

Without going back and reading the entire thread, has any work been done on the carburetor?

It was cleaned last summer, hasn’t been ran much at all since fall of the year.

[CDKL]

That was my next question, could it be the coil or the distributor. Would that cause the carb bowl to stream fuel from the drain?

Tractor dying after a short period of operation, 15 - 20 minutes, then restarting after cool down is typical of a coil failure.

Crud under needle valve will permit fuel to continue flowing. Clean the carburetor and the sediment bowl or replace the fuel filter.[/quote

Thank you for the information. I am assuming the best way to test the coil would be to get the engine hot, let it die and then check the coil for spark?

[Don McCombs]

I am assuming the best way to test the coil would be to get the engine hot, let it die and then check the coil for spark?

Or temporarily substitute in a known good coil, if you have one.

[customcutter]

As mentioned above, if the tractor dies after 15-20 minutes of operation and loses spark the coil is breaking down when hot. If it still has spark when it shuts down then it is in the carb. Possibly trash/rust in the needle valve seat or the float might be damaged (a hole that has allowed fuel into the float and it isn't floating at the proper level). Can you see any rust or trash in the sediment bowl on the bottom of the fuel tank?

[CDKL]

How can you check to see if it is getting spark after it dies? Do you check the coil or the plugs. I know how to check the plugs but not positive on checking the coil.

[Eugene]

How can you check to see if it is getting spark after it dies?

Operate engine until it dies. Remove one spark plug wire from plug. Place the end of that spark plug wire 1/8" to a ground/engine block or such. Try to start engine, observing the plug wire end for spark.