240 Util engine - starts strong, runs well then dies

hueyrescue · Sep 5, 2011

My 240 Util starts and runs strong for the first few minutes. Then it starts to sputter and dies. If it sits for a few minutes it will start back up again. Gas is clean, oil just changed, water pump seems to be working. Seems to be related to the engine temp. Resistance building in the coil and/or wires perhaps? Any thoughts on where to start diagnosis will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Jim Becker · Sep 5, 2011

Start diagnosis by checking the spark immediately after it quits. If the spark is good, start checking the fuel system. If the spark is none to poor, check the ingition system.

Ignition --> coil or condenser.
Fuel --> clog anythere in system, including air vent of gas cap.

Janicholson · Sep 5, 2011

I agree with Jim B.
Short 5 min. run times are an either/or thing.
Fuel restrictions can be found at the tank outlet hole at the bottom of the tank, in the sediment bowl, at the shutoff valve at the outlet of the sediment bowl, in the screen at the carb fitting, and at the needle and seat/float system in the carb.
If choking the engine just as it begins to fade helps for a few seconds, it is probably fuel starvation. If not, go with chaecing the coil for being hot to the touch, and spark for quality as Jim indicates. Jim N.

LMack · Sep 5, 2011

Sounds like a fuel problem to me. The engine runs until the float bowl on the carburetor is empty. Sitting up between runs it is able to refill. Start by removing the fuel line and blowing it out. Clean the sediment bowl and be sure you have a good strong flow of fuel from the tank to the bowl. If not you got to clean the fuel tank. Temporarily install the fuel line backward and make sure a good flow of fuel can pass through. Completely drain the bowl on the carburetor and let a good flow pass through the drain to clean the bowl. Put it all back togather and if it runs better after this then put it under load and run it for a while. I have had to repeat this procedure several times using a couple of tanks of fuel to get our 200 going back in the day after it had been setting up.
If none of this helps, you have other problems with the fuel, the carburetor, or the spark.

hueyrescue · Sep 10, 2011

Thanks everyone. So far I have been unable to duplicate. Perhaps the problem was operator error. If it comes back, I"ll diagnose based on the input you"ve given.

hueyrescue · Sep 15, 2011

The problem re-emerged after ferrying the tractor to a field (30 min). The engine began surging for about 4 min and then quit when I pulled off the road. I checked the spark and it was orange and thin. I think I"ll start by changing the coil out and go from there. Thanks!

240 Util engine - starts strong, runs well then dies

hueyrescue

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Jim Becker

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LMack

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