Allis D17 s4 ran well last month, now turns over but won't s

Jbergie · Oct 3, 2019

Last month, the D17 fired right up with no issues. Then the other day I tried it and the battery was totally dead (I left the cable on). So tried to jump it and it turned over, but wouldn't catch (tried choke on and off) and yes I had the gas shuttle on. We could smell gas.....flooding I suspect. Replaced the battery -it was old anyway- and checked the distributor. The magneto looked fine, Points were not scorched and lead line arced. Plugs all pulled and each one was sparking. When I had the plugs pulled and each was wet and each cylinder blew like a whale spout so I figured she was flooded. So let her sit for a day then tried again....besides the fact that there was gas all over -I left the shuttle on and it was dripping like crazy from the carb! -it would turn over easily, but again not even sound like it was going to catch. I replaced the plugs regardless thinking they weren't sparking enough(?) and still no joy. What now? (Gas was fresh.) Carb jetting? It's my first Allis, so I don't know the nuances yet. It's such a simple machine, you'd think it'd be obvious. Is there a bleeder valve that I'm missing? A kill switch I erroneously hit? A butterfly valve I can check easily? A secret to these old choke knobs? Best throttle position for starting?

Eldon (WA) · Oct 3, 2019

(quoted from post at 07:42:45 10/03/19) Last month, the D17 fired right up with no issues. Then the other day I tried it and the battery was totally dead (I left the cable on). So tried to jump it and it turned over, but wouldn't catch (tried choke on and off) and yes I had the gas shuttle on. We could smell gas.....flooding I suspect. Replaced the battery -it was old anyway- and checked the distributor. The magneto looked fine, Points were not scorched and lead line arced. Plugs all pulled and each one was sparking. When I had the plugs pulled and each was wet and each cylinder blew like a whale spout so I figured she was flooded. So let her sit for a day then tried again....besides the fact that there was gas all over -I left the shuttle on and it was dripping like crazy from the carb! -it would turn over easily, but again not even sound like it was going to catch. I replaced the plugs regardless thinking they weren't sparking enough(?) and still no joy. What now? (Gas was fresh.) Carb jetting? It's my first Allis, so I don't know the nuances yet. It's such a simple machine, you'd think it'd be obvious. Is there a bleeder valve that I'm missing? A kill switch I erroneously hit? A butterfly valve I can check easily? A secret to these old choke knobs? Best throttle position for starting?

Keep the fuel shut off until it starts up, the float may be stuck or some dirt in the float valve. If you have spark it will start unless flooded. Shoot a little ether in the air cleaner, it should run on ether with the gas turned off. When it starts just crack open the fuel a little. I always shut off the gas when I plan on leaving one set awhile and let it run until it dies.

Russ from MN · Oct 3, 2019

I would do what Eldon suggested, but first put some oil in each cylinder through the spark plug hole. You have washed away all the
lubrication by trying to start it when flooded.

Jbergie · Oct 3, 2019

Thanks Eldon, I did spray a little ether in the air intake....but that was the other night when I think I flooded it. I had waited
about an hour then sprayed it in thinking it'd spark a little at least.

Jbergie · Oct 3, 2019

Russ, Would a little fogging spray work? (I have some left over from the boat winterizing).
p.s. I'm just south of St Paul so if you're in the neighborhood, let me know!

Steve@Advance · Oct 3, 2019

Sounds like severe flooding, as in trash in the needle valve, sunk float, or bad needle/seat.

If it flooded bad enough to put liquid gas in the cylinders, there will be gas in the oil. Check the oil level, most likely it will be over full, if so, change it before going any further.

The cylinders will be washed down, give each a squirt of oil, spin it out before replacing the plugs.

The carb will need to be opened up and the problem found. Could just need cleaning, or a new float if it has fuel in one of the pontoons (give it the shake test, listen and feel for gas inside), or the needle valve replaced.

The carb is simple, easy to repair, better than the new aftermarkets if original. Lots of how to videos on Youtube.

Take a gas sample in a clean glass, see what's coming down the line. If the tank is contaminated with rust, diet, water, it will need to be cleaned, or replaced/repaired id severely rusted. Be sure the screen is in the sediment bowl. Purge the line before reconnecting to the carb, it only takes a tiny speck of trash to make it flood.

old · Oct 3, 2019

Learn the simple steps of trouble shooting.
#1 since the battery was dead find out why it was dead. Did you leave the ignition switch on??
#2 check that you have a good blue/white spark at he center wire of the cap and at all 4 plug wires that jump a 1/4 inch gap or more. No spark good chance the points need to be cleaned or replaced. Or if the ignition was left on maybe the points and coil will need to be replaced. Ignition on mean at the very least the point will be burned
#3 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 and yes catch the gas to look for dirt/water
#4 when was the last time you serviced the air cleaner and dumped the mud and water and fill with oil

Ozlander · Oct 3, 2019

Sounds like maybe the choke is on.

Russ from MN · Oct 3, 2019

I would use real oil, about a tablespoon in each, and like someone else said, check the crankcase, it may be diluted and over full.

Eldon (WA) · Oct 3, 2019

(quoted from post at 08:44:21 10/03/19) Learn the simple steps of trouble shooting.
#1 since the battery was dead find out why it was dead. Did you leave the ignition switch on??
#2 check that you have a good blue/white spark at he center wire of the cap and at all 4 plug wires that jump a 1/4 inch gap or more. No spark good chance the points need to be cleaned or replaced. Or if the ignition was left on maybe the points and coil will need to be replaced. Ignition on mean at the very least the point will be burned
#3 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 and yes catch the gas to look for dirt/water
#4 when was the last time you serviced the air cleaner and dumped the mud and water and fill with oil

Series IV is a dry air cleaner....FYI

old · Oct 3, 2019

Ok so if that is true he needs to check it any how. I've seen more then one that was so clogged up it acted like it was choked

r.w.b. · Oct 3, 2019

Didnt know a D17 had a mag?

Jbergie · Oct 3, 2019

(quoted from post at 16:43:36 10/03/19) Didnt know a D17 had a mag?

Oops, had that on the brain for some reason- meant rotor.

Allis D17 s4 ran well last month, now turns over but won't s

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