Having trouble with 1945 John Deere B

Beatles65 · Jan 11, 2011

I am having a little trouble with my 1945 John Deere B. I use it to push snow and we just got a bunch of snow so it is needed. I started the tractor today and was able to use it for plowing the drive. I shut it down to work on something and then I went to start it back up. It starts easy but when I do anything at all it just quits. When I give it a little gas it will shut down and when I push in the clutch (but dont have it in any gears) it will shut down and die.
What is causing this?
It did this to me yesterday also.
Any advice would be great!
Thanks!
From Nebraska,
Andrew Kean

GregCO · Jan 11, 2011

Do you have good fuel flow to the carb? Try opening the drain on the bowl of the carb and turn on the fuel. You should have a good full stream of fuel running out of the drain. Only other thing I can think of if fowled plugs. I had an old B once that would start and run fine, but would not pull itself one cold day. Cleaned the plugs and she ran like new.

Greg

Beatles65 · Jan 11, 2011

I opened the plug at the bottom of the carb and it drained fine, it was nice and steady. The spark plugs are brand new, I just put them in about a month ago.

old · Jan 11, 2011

When was the last time you checked/changed the oil in the air cleaner?? Common problem is ice in there which can clog things up

Beatles65 · Jan 11, 2011

Not even a year ago and the tractor hasnt been used very much since then. Now I cant even keep it going for 30 seconds after I start it.

Motorcraftman · Jan 11, 2011

I go with the AIR Cleaner too, Old... Larry KF4LKU

Dalex · Jan 11, 2011

How about moisture inside the dist / mag cap ? Lots of times I've seen engines start and idle , but no power to move with the spark flying everywhere inside....

old · Jan 11, 2011

Condensation fills them with water and that in turn chokes them down and they can not run that way. Air cleaners are probably the most neglected part of these old tractors and need checked and cleaned 3 plus times a year or more

Old Roy · Jan 11, 2011

I know this sounds stupid , but I have done dumber things.
are you closing the compression petcocks ?

BushogPapa · Jan 11, 2011

Since it starts and then quits when he does anything that would require fuel, my bet is that he needs to be choking it more, while it is cold..

Will choking it (when it tries to die) restore it to running..??

Winter use may require you to set the power screw a couple clicks richer than Summer use..

Just because you changed the plugs a Month ago is no reason to think they may not be your problem..
Myself, I only use Autolite #3116 plugs in my "B", 520, etc..

You could set the sparkplug gap down to .025" to see if it will fire better..but that may only indicate that if it does, the spark if pretty weak anyway..

Be sure not to let water run down over the Mag while you are using the tractor..moisture gets into a Mag easily enough..!
Ron.

Jeff Oliver · Jan 11, 2011

Something quick to check. Loosen the fuel cap and see if your not getting any venting in the tank. Could be iced up or something. If your getting fuel o the carb though thats probably not it. magneto sounds like a likely culprit.

Jeff Oliver · Jan 11, 2011

thought of this after I posted.. What happens when it dies? I mean does it just stop running and idles down like its out of gas or does it spit and pop and miss and stuff before dieing?

John Harmon. · Jan 11, 2011

Check for ice in the fuel lines/sediment bowl and/or carburator.

Beatles65 · Jan 11, 2011

It just stops running like it would if I flipped a switch to kill it.

Beatles65 · Jan 11, 2011

Yes I am.

Beatles65 · Jan 11, 2011

I will check that tomorrow to see if there is any water in the mag.

Beatles65 · Jan 11, 2011

I can move the choke around and that doesnt kill the engine or help it stay running. I have Autolite #3116 plugs in it right now. Like I said above I will look tomorrow to see if there is any water in the mag.
Thanks for the help!
Andrew Kean.

36 Coupe · Jan 12, 2011

Spark plugs can gas foul.Pull a plug and see if the spark is jumping the gap and not streaming up the insulator.Letting a JD idle will foul the plugs.I let my Ford 640 idle too long while cleaning up some old fence.I could not move until I raised the engine speed.It stopped skipping after traveling about 500 feet.

34gpa · Jan 12, 2011

If you pull the choke on it should kill the engine or at the very least make it stumble and black smoke come out the exhaust. Possible something wrong with how it is working

BushogPapa · Jan 12, 2011

Moisture in the Mag can be a problem..

It may NOT even be noticeable...

There have been times for us, that just taking the cap loose and letting the morning Sun shine on it and in the Mag for 10 minutes was all it needed to dry it..
Might rub a business card between the points, to burnish them a little, too..

Yes, if the choke does nothing to make it pick up and run, I would check the Mag..maybe even put a lightbulb over the opened Mag and cover, to warm and dry it out..
There is not any snow or ice laying around or on the sparkplugs..??
Pure Silicone Spray is good to repel water..
Good Luck and keep us informed..!!

Ron..

Having trouble with 1945 John Deere B

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