My old Ford 5000 has started quiting on me

[DY]

I've got an old Ford 5000 that was rode hard and put up wet by the previous owner. None of the gauges work and it has sat outside for years. For about a month now I can bushhog for about 20 minutes and then the engine begins to quit. Full choke will keep it running for 30 seconds and then it starts to quit. It has about 7 gallons of gas in the tank. The oil is ok at the dip stick. The engine doesn't act like it is overheated. In a half hour it will start and run normal. I am not a mechanic. Give me some ideas.......................DY

 

[Stan56]

I have a Ford 860 that has acted like this in the past. New in-line fuel filter helped, and cleaning the screens in the sediment bowl.

 

[a49deere]

I've got an old Ford 5000 that was rode hard and put up wet by the previous owner. None of the gauges work and it has sat outside for years. For about a month now I can bushhog for about 20 minutes and then the engine begins to quit. Full choke will keep it running for 30 seconds and then it starts to quit. It has about 7 gallons of gas in the tank. The oil is ok at the dip stick. The engine doesn't act like it is overheated. In a half hour it will start and run normal. I am not a mechanic. Give me some ideas.......................DY

What does the tank look like? Is the filter screen getting clogged up from 20 minutes of sloshing around, then crap falls off when it sits and then the process starts all over? Is this the same gas that you bought the tractor with? Any chance there is water in it?

 

[used red MN]

Any chance there is water in it?

Water will not make a gas tractor quit running and then start up again. You would need a quart of water or so in the gas tank for water to make it quit, then it wouldn’t start again because the carb would have all water in it and no gas. I could see the possibility of a bit of water in the tank causing rust etc, which could be his problem.

 

[cushman]

Check your spark coming out of the coil,when it quits,you may have coil or condensor failure.

 

[DY]

Forgot to mention that it runs on gasoline........DY

What does the tank look like? Is the filter screen getting clogged up from 20 minutes of sloshing around, then crap falls off when it sits and then the process starts all over? Is this the same gas that you bought the tractor with? Any chance there is water in it?

I have owned this tractor for several years now. It has fresh gas in the tank. Where is the screen filter. It has what looks like a small sediment bowl on the right side by the carburetor. It has one of those plastic in line fuel filters similar to ones that I have seen on lawn tractors. I will install a new one. Also, I'll dump out the small glass sediment bowl. Thanks for all of your good ideas..................Dy

 

[Richard G.]

Check your spark coming out of the coil,when it quits,you may have coil or condensor failure.

Yep, sounds like a coil or condenser problem to me also.

 

[Stan56]

Forgot to mention that it runs on gasoline........DY

I have owned this tractor for several years now. It has fresh gas in the tank. Where is the screen filter. It has what looks like a small sediment bowl on the right side by the carburetor. It has one of those plastic in line fuel filters similar to ones that I have seen on lawn tractors. I will install a new one. Also, I'll dump out the small glass sediment bowl. Thanks for all of your good ideas..................Dy

The filter I am referring to is a very fine mesh sediment screen between the glass bowl and its metal "top". This can get plugged if the gas is old and gone bad. When you dump it, check for any sediment in the bottom of the bowl. With fresh gas, this is not likely the issue, but it never hurts to take a look. The inline filter is cheap to change.

Good luck,
Stan

 

[flying belgian]

Another thing to check is the vented gas cap. Remove cap and stuff a rag in there. Try running it like that.

 

[scootergmc]

Fuel problem is more likely than ignition, especially since choking it makes a difference.

 

[Ultradog MN]

When it quits, immediately get out of the seat and check for spark. Pull a spark plug wire and hold it up to the block. You want a bright, bluish white spark that will jump at least 3/8"
Short or reddish, yellow spark Will Not Do.
It requires no tools to do this.
If your spark is good go on to fuel.
Remember that there are 3, sometimes 4 screens on those gassers.
First one is on top of the shut off valve inside the tank.
Second one is a screen on top of the fuel pump which is located left side of the timing cover on front of the engine.
Third is a screen in the sediment bowl by the carburator.
Fourth - but not always - is a scintered brass screen in the fitting where the fuel line enters the carburator.
They need to be cleaned every 30 or 40 years.

 

[rrlund]

Super sounds like vapor lock to me.

 

[Texasmark]

I have a Ford 860 that has acted like this in the past. New in-line fuel filter helped, and cleaning the screens in the sediment bowl.

.......and empty the gas tank and check, the outlet screen on the outlet connector and bottom of the gas tank. These old tractors fuel tanks rust and the rust accumulates at the outlet on the bottom. As it builds up, you have to have more fuel above it to get enough fuel for the engine to run....the 7 gallon problem eludes to that as your main concern........BTDT

 

[KCTractors]

I think the shut off valve under the fuel tank has a filter on it to. I would pull the valve and check that when your tank is almost MT. Texasmark, you beat me to it.

 

[sotxbill]

Yep, sounds like a coil or condenser problem to me also.

Or ignition switch... when tractor dies, you need to immediately check for spark.. If you have spark, then its a fuel problem.. probably something in the tank... which you will need to drain and flush, clean the screen in the tank, the screen in the sediment bowl, and possible a screen in the carb elbow. . If you dont have spark, then you need to check for 12volt going into the coil, .. as the resistance wire going to the coil could be breaking down, ig switch breaking down, coil shorting, condenser failure, or wire to the dist shorting as it goes in..or even sloppy worn points, moisture in distrib heating up and dripping... . . . .trouble shooting after its cooled down will not help you.