cold start

FarmallZach · Jan 21, 2011

Its been pretty cold here in central ohio here latley but i usally dont have any problems starting my super m even when its below 20 but i have not been able to get that darn thing to start at all. even if i put a good charge on the battery. Any tips on getting her going? I have never had this much trouble starting it in the 6 years I have been using it

Tyler Jackson · Jan 21, 2011

You might try adjusting the air/gas mixter for winter use. Also a good choke for 3-4 turns helps mine start really quick if you don't do it already

teddy52food · Jan 21, 2011

Main thing is a good hot spark. If it turns over slow from the cold , you may be dropping the voltage too much for the coil, esp with 6 volt systems. Close the gap on the plugs to .022 and that may help too.

Bob M · Jan 21, 2011

How old is the gas in your M? If it's been in the tank more than a couple months old good chance it's lost volatility - especially when cold. (It's a downside of the *#&@! "reformulated" gas we're now forced to buy...)

If you've verified it's got good spark and it still won't fire, try this: Pull the air cleaner tube off the carburetor and shoot a whiff of ether directly into the air inlet (a 1 second shot is plenty). Now crank the engine with the choke about half closed. If it now fires you can likely keep it going by working the choke until the engine warms a bit.

Nate V. IA · Jan 22, 2011

My 450 used to start hard in the winter before I re-timed it. I used to hang a heat lamp pointed at and almost touching the intake manifold for about twenty minutes. It gives the first couple of cranks some good hot air to burn. Now that I've fixed it she starts up until down to 10º without choke, -10º with full choke and -27º(that's the coldest I've ever been) with battery charger, full choke and a little loss of religion.
Nate

Janicholson · Jan 22, 2011

two ideas not mentioned.
A engine block heater (either placed in one of the core plugs, (often called freeze plugs but are not)is great.
Also if it is point and coil ignition, a jump battery that just supplies ignition voltage. Leave the ignition off, and jump to the coil for starting. (if 12volt, it may have a ballast resistor. for starting it can be bypassed.) Jim

glennster · Jan 22, 2011

i picked up a propane radiant heater from menards, it mounts to the top of a gas grille tank. put it under the tractor so the heat flows up to the carb/intake area. i lean a piece of plywood off the loader frame to the hood to hold the heat in a little better. works good on my 48 m with a loader, the tractor is prolly the slowest cranking m i have ever seen. new battery, new cables, 3 different rebuilt starters, even swapped starters from another m that cranks fast. no difference. prolly has big pistons and a shaved head on it.

FarmallZach · Jan 22, 2011

Thats exactly what I have gone through. I have rebuilt the starteer a few times. Went and got a new batter two weeks ago has new cables and everything. but thanks everyone who as commented i will try a few things and see what happens. we just usally dont have this cold of winters here and so i have never had this much trouble plus im not home during the weeks since i go to school and only have the weekend to use it when i need to

Bob M · Jan 22, 2011

Farmallzach: A Super M in good tune will start easily to 0 deg and lower without auxiliary heat, etc.

Both of mine start down to -15 without difficulty - even after sitting several weeks. (Colder than I've not tested - I don't want to be on 'em when it's that cold anyway!)

scotc · Jan 22, 2011

I had to drain the carbs on the SM and 400 a couple springs to get them started. Fixed that by putting a little chainsaw gas in them in the fall, last gas to go in them before getting parked.

Al L. in Wisc. · Jan 23, 2011

Farmallzach; Maybe you have already checked these things but: do you have water condensed in the gas? I have a AC-CA that wouldn't start and the sediment bowl looked clean/full; it was...full of water. I have also read on this great board, folks w/ice in the air intake. Also, 'shiney, bright and tight' for wiring connections. Heavy gauge battery cables and GOOD clamps and connections. If your tractor(s) have sat for months with moisture doing what it does, you may need to clean the points. Check for fouled plugs and good plug wires. Others have offered good tips also. Post back w/your findings/results as it may help others. Good luck on your project...20 degrees...that's picnic weather.

cold start

FarmallZach

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Tyler Jackson

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teddy52food

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Bob M

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Nate V. IA

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Janicholson

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glennster

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FarmallZach

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Bob M

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scotc

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Al L. in Wisc.

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