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update on getting tractor started in the cold

J

Justin SE IOWA

Member
So yesterday I posted about trying to start my WD when it was 15* outside. Today I took the rubber hose off that is between the carb and the air cleaner. Gave it a shot of starting fluid. Then put the battery charger on it ant set it to 50amp start and it popped right off! A little starting fluid is all I needed.
 
You really should not need starting fluid until it is -10 or lower. You have something not quite right on it.
 
I have to agree with David. Get a new change of oil in that WD, preferably a straight 10w if you need that tractor all winter. I am guessing you are still with the original 6 volt system. Make sure you have fresh gas and good points and plugs. We had to start those old Allis's everyday for the dairy and seldom had a place to put it in a shed. 2 turns of the starter and they would be running any time above -10. We had an old hand start CC Case that was left on a feed cart and started twice everyday right out in the open feedlot. We would put half kerosene in the oil so you could turn it. I remember making a few extra coins betting the milk truck driver on whether it would start. Always had it to pull everything else
 
Beware of starting fluid.I think it can fire on compression before top dead center.Ive heard some odd noises from engines when ether was used.
 
I am not a proponent of ether, but when it is REALLY cold I think a quick squirt that gets the engine started is better than letting it grind.
 
Does the choke work properly? It should close fully when the rod is pulled; maybe it is not working properly and not allowing a rich enough mixture for starting when cold.
When the air intake hose is removed, look at the butterfly as the choke rod is moved to its maximum travel position. It should completely close the air passage. Adjust if necessary.
 
Lots of different theories about starting tractors in the cold. My hand start John Deere B popped off on the second cylinder up on compression today at 20F. You have to have good compression, a hot spark timed right, and a properly adjusted carburetor, then any of them will start well.
 
If it has a marvel schriber carb on it check to make sure the choke circle is closing all the way,and see if it has a door that is sprig loaded to keep it shut
 
I would suspect bad battery / cables, choke not closing all the way or weak spark, or all of the above.
 

A WD on 6V should turn at 0 Degrees and start fine.

On 12V, it will spin like Summer-time..!

You should only need to choke it over 2 to 4 compression strokes to get it to start..

I have had better results with WD-40 than I have with Ether and the WD-40 is a lot easier on the motor..
Works great for starting 2-Cycle engines too.

Ron.
 
You got a 60 pluss yr old starter pluss whatever else mite have too much age to preform like new. Get the starter rebuilt pluss new cables and battery then rebuild the carb and make sure the compression is up to snuff and it would start like new again.
 
Found that the starting fluid will keep a gas from starting untill it has all disapered like the next day. Back about 1970 bought a 1950 International truck and had starting problems, the fluid only made it worse. Ended up changing the engine as had cracked manifold and head.
 
My WD45 started just fine yesterday morning with the 6V. She does have a fresh overhaul but still has 30w oil in it too. Of course I let her run a long time before her on the elevator.
 
Sounds like it could also be a weak battery, producing a weak spark, not giving you a good fast spin.
 
My 300 utility will start at 15*. It has 7600+ hrs, original starter, coil, and is 6 volt. It never sounds like it will start, but it always does; ever since I was young it has started the same : maybe 1 revolution and it is running. Just need for the battery to be in good shape. Mark
 
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