H mag moisture problem

Zachary Hoyt · Mar 1, 2010

I think I need to replace something in my ignition system but I'm not sure what. My 1949 H has a mag ignition and when it is in the presence of rain or snow it will not make spark unless I blow a hair dryer on the coil/cap end of the mag for a few minutes. Also I have had a couple of occasions when the tractor dies like I had pushed the switch, but as soon as I try it it starts right up again. I am thinking that i may need a new coil, or points and condenser or something else, maybe, and I am hoping someone wise will know which thing to try first. Is it possible to get any of these parts at NAPA which we have locally or should I order them from this site? Thanks very much in advance for any advice.
Zach

El Toro · Mar 1, 2010

When it quits running pull off one of the plug wires and hold it about 1/4" away from the plug while someone else makes an attempt to start the engine. You need to do this asap before the coil cools. You should have a hot blue fire from that plug wire. If you don't it could be the coil or weak magnets without much magetism. The magnets help create that hot spark when they pass by the coil. If there's fire to the plug looks ok you may have a fuel issue where something may be blocking the fuel flow between the tank and carburetor. Hal
PS: You may want to use a pair of insulated pliers so you don't get bitten.

old · Mar 1, 2010

Using the hair dryer tells me you might have a cracked cap and you get moisture in the crack and the in turn shorts it out I know one way to find out for sure but you will not like it is you try it but you will find out for sure. Well there are 2 ways but this one I always tell people first. Hold your hand on the mag cap and spin it over. If you jump about 10 foot back from it then you have a cracked cap. The other way to check is take some starting fluid and spray the cap. Let it air dry. If you see lines in the cap after it dries then you have a cracked cap and it is shorting out. Of course the hand on it works best if you have a kid around to use for the test.

GordoSD · Mar 1, 2010

Now I understand Old. You know what happened to all those mental patients that received shock treatments in the "olden" days?

Gordo

Tom Fleming · Mar 2, 2010

Hmmmm, in addition to all the "shocking" responses, you also should check to make sure the cap is on correctly. there are 2 drain/breather holes in the cap. those should be on the bottom when installed correctly.

Zachary Hoyt · Mar 2, 2010

Thanks, I think I'll try the second method you mentioned there.....
Zach

old · Mar 2, 2010

Well you know what they say no guts on glory LOL . Ya the first method works well if you have a boy that your teaching and believe me they will never forgot how to test a distributor or mag cap

H mag moisture problem

Zachary Hoyt

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El Toro

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old

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GordoSD

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Tom Fleming

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Zachary Hoyt

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old

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