International 504 gas motor problem for non mechanic

Fargo · May 6, 2019

Dear Board:
International 504 is used for finish mowing

Starts fine and I start mowing and after 2-5 minutes under load the engine sputters, cutting in and out progressively worse and engine dies about 20 seconds later after it gets real bad. Symptoms similar to like it is not getting Fuel. Wait One minute and it starts right up. Problem repeats.

Here is what I have tried or done:

Someone suggested coils so I replaced that as old one was due for change
Ran it without gas cap
New Battery
Sediment bowl for gas is clean and fuel flow seems good. No fuel filter
Gas cap is well vented
Cleaned crankcase breather cap in case it was a problem
Cleaned oil bath air cleaner.
Opened main jet ? and than ? more - no change
Did not take apart carb, clean, and put in new gaskets yet.

One test I did was to cover the air intake and see if engine stops but engine still runs so does that mean I have an air leak here? As always, thanks for your help.

Something similar happened a long time ago and I noticed carb got loose from manifold, tightened it and all was well.

Thanks

old · May 6, 2019

Learn some simple trouble shooting
#1 check that you have a good blue/white spark at the center wire of the distributor cap and at the 4 plug wires that will jump a 1/4 inch gap or more.
#2 pull the carb drain plug and make sure you have a good steady flow of gas that will fill a pint jar in less then 3 minutes
#4 when was the last time you serviced the air cleaner

Do the test as said in the order said to help prevent a fire. Does choke it hurt or help?? Post back what you find so we can help you fix the problem

Fargo · May 6, 2019

Thank you. Did all three of your suggestions already. Air cleaner cleaned. Choke makes no difference if I use it to try and recover smooth RPM when sputtering.

Also It idles fine. This problems only happens above 50% RPMs and under load.

Thanks

Adirondack case guy · May 6, 2019

Take the old condenser out of the distributor and replace with another known good one. Seams lately that even new ones can be bad out of the box.
Loren

Steve@Advance · May 6, 2019

Check the points gap.

Check the condition of the points, burning, pitting. Be sure the condenser is tight to the breaker plate. If you have an old condensed, try it.

Also check the distributor shaft for side play. It needs to have very little side play, or the points will not stay set.

You said you replaced the coil. Is it the correct coil? It should not heat up under normal use, should not be any hotter than surrounding components.

If you have a test light or volt meter, connect it from the + terminal of the coil to ground. Position it so you can see it, run it until the problem starts. What you are looking for is voltage drop to the coil, as in a bad ignition switch, loose connection, etc.

The trick to finding an intermittent problem is to be ready to catch it in the act.

Ellis Kinney · May 6, 2019

I had an M that acted like that and it was a small piece of something rubbery and flat that kept getting right over the gas intake inside the tank. Look in your tank with a flashlight for anything that might be floating around. Ellis

ditchwitch · May 6, 2019

You mentioned you installed a new coil. How many Volts do you have going to the distributor. I think it only requires around 6 or 7 . If it straight 12 that could be your problem.

International 504 gas motor problem for non mechanic

Fargo

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old

Well-known Member

Fargo

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Adirondack case guy

Well-known Member

Steve@Advance

Well-known Member

Ellis Kinney

Well-known Member

ditchwitch

Well-known Member

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