Yesterday's Tractors
Search For:

   Allis Chalmers Case Cockshutt Farmall IH Ford 9N,2N,8N Ford
   H. Ferguson John Deere Massey Minn. Moline Oliver All The Rest
Parts | 12-Volt Kits | Carburetors | Engine Kits | Videos & DVDs | Manuals | More...
Marketplace
Tractor Manuals
Tractor Parts
Engine Kits
Videos & DVDs
On-Line Store
Classified Ads
Photo Ads

Shop for Parts:

Community
Discussion Forums
Tractor Town
Your Stories
Show Guide
Events Calendar
Hauling Schedule
Link Exchange

Galleries
Tractor Photos
Implement Photos
Vintage Photos
Help Identify
Parts & Pieces
Stuck & Troubled
Vintage Ads
Photo Ad Archive
Community Album

Research & Info
Articles
Search This Site
Tractor Registry
Tip of the Day
Safety Cartoons
Tractor Values
List Prices
Production Nbrs
Tune-Up Specs
Serial Numbers
Tune-Up Guide
3-Point Specs
Paint Codes Glossary

Miscellaneous
Tractor Links
Guest Book
Tractor Games
Just For Kids
Virtual Show
Museum Guide
Memorial Page
Submit an Article
Feedback Form

Related Sites
Parts Store
The Tractor Shed
TractorLinks.com
Ford 9N/2N/8N Club
Garden Tractors
Today's Tractors
Classic Trucks
Kountry Life

Enter your email address to receive our newsletter!
subscribe
unsubscribe

Content Guide
Picture List - TOC
Forum List - TOC
Tractor Shed - TOC
Ad Archives - TOC
Manuals - TOC

Support YT
Subscribe Today!

Contributed Article

Sometimes simple fixes avoid spending money

Occasionally simple fixes will correct what may seem to be complex or expensive problems. Always check the simple things first and possibly avoid expending time and money. Obviously selling carburetors, generators, starters and rebuild kits is good for our business, but not if it does not fix your problem!

Simple Fix #1 - Runs poorly when warmed up

Before replacing the carburetor, check the fuel line, sediment bowl and tank outlet. With old tractors these often become clogged with rust sediment and cause the engine to run as if the float and float valve are damaged. The symptoms are usually, the tractor will run fine when started but begin to starve out and miss after awhile. It is also easy to associate this condition with warming up ("it runs fine till it warms up").

Simple Fix #2 - Dies when warmed up

When the tractor warms up it unceremoniously dies with no spark. The spark does not come back till the tractor cools down. This is commonly a bad condenser. Since testing condensers appears to be a lost art, it is simplest to replace them.

Simple Fix #3 - Good battery won't actuate starter

The starter just won't crank over your 6-volt tractor. Before replacing the starter, check for warmth at the connections of your battery cables. Your cables may be too high of gage (the wire is too small) and your connections may be less than perfect. Remember that 6-volt systems draw more amperage and the connections and wiring and connections should be near perfect for the starter to function as it was intended.

Simple Fix #4 - Won't start, getting gas & spark

You have spark at the right time and gas is getting on the plugs, but the tractor won't start. If the tractor has been sitting for some time, it is likely that your gas has gone bad. Drain and replace the gas with new.

Simple Fix #5 - Won't start, water in distributor cap

If you have trouble with your tractor during high-moisture times, such as during a thaw, check under the distributor cap for moisture. Dry it all out inside and you will be on your way again.

Simple Fix #6 - Overheating or not charging

Your tractor is overheating. Before you replace your water pump, thermostat, and radiator cap, be sure that you have the correct width and profile v-belt for your cooling fan and be certain it is tensioned properly. This can also cause the charging system to appear to be bad.

Simple Fix #7 - Boiling out radiator fluid

Your tractor boils out your radiator fluid whenever it warms up. Before replacing the thermostat, be sure your radiator cap is rated correctly for your system and that its spring and seal are still in good shape. The cap may be "letting off steam" under what was supposed to be normal pressure.

Simple Fix #8 - Burning Oil?

You have good compression on all cylinders indicating that your valves, pistons, and rings are in good shape but you have traces of oil smoke coming out the exhaust. This can be caused by your oil-bath air filter. Be sure that you are running the correct weight of oil. If the oil is too light, it will be drawn into the engine. Don't go overboard the other way, if the oil is too heavy, it won't clean the air.

Discount Prices for Parts! You can help support this extensive website by purchasing your tractor parts, manuals and merchandise from our [ Antique Tractor Store ] or call our friendly sales staff toll free (800) 853-2651. [ More Info ]

Home | Manuals | Parts | 12-Volt Kits | Carburetors | Radiators | Engine Kits | Videos | Books

Know someone interested in antique tractors? Tell them about this site!
Your EMail Addr
Your Name
Friend's Email
Friend's Name
Copyright © 1997-2008 Yesterday's Tractor Co. - A Washington State Corporation

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

About this site - Yesterday's Tractors is your one-stop source for antique tractors. If you use antique tractors, collect antique tractors, or just enjoy looking at antique tractors, welcome to our site! Join more than 275,000 other classic tractor enthusiasts from all over the globe. We have many resources for antique tractor enthusiasts available including photos, classified ads, more than 24 antique tractor forums, show guide, values, specs and much more. Bookmark this site and come back often. Thanks for stopping by! Feel free to use our feedback form to send us your comments, suggestions and ideas.