1951 TO-30

[Mike Catron]

I have removed the sediment bowl assembly from the tank, cleaned the intake tubes, valve, filter, and bowl. The gas flows nicely into the bowl. I have also cleaned the fuel line from the bowl assembly to the carb. Now, when I hit the starter the first time (after sitting awhile) it starts right up, runs a few seconds, dies and won"t restart. My next step is to remove the carb and clean all the gum/varnish/etc away thinking the float may be stuck. I dread trying to get the carb adjusted again...it has ran great for years. Any suggestions? Is that the next step? Is it hard to get adjusted after reassembly? Thanks!

 

[R . l . HULL]

When you try to restart this , and it won't start , have you checked for spark . Just a stab in the dark . Possible bad ignition switch .
Good luck

 

[Don Hooks*]

As soon as it quits open the bowl drain on the carb to see if has gone dry. If yes check the screen in the carb inlet elbow. If there is plenty of fuel in the bowl there must be a part-time pluggage in the jet being fed from the bowl (or the problem is somewhere other than the fuel system) meaning at least some disassembly. If you clean the inlet elbow screen and the bowl is still dry there is probably still some trash in the tank or somewhere upstream (or the gas cap is not vented).

 

[DonBan]

I had much the same problem with my TO-30. It wasn't until I removed the brass fitting on the side of the carburetor that I discovered the cylindrical screen inside the carburetor body was half-plugged with crud.

It would run at idle, but when under load on a grain auger or when plowing it would die, but within a minute it would restart, only to die again when placed under load.

 

[Jerry/MT]

I always recommend that yu check the spark immediately after you engine stops. If you have the requite FAT, BLUISH-WHITE SPARK~ 1/4" LONG, the color of lightning, then check the fuel. Your problem could be caused by a faulty key switch(jumper around it to see if the problem goes away). Open the plug at the bottom of the carb fuel bowl right after it quits also and check to see if there is fuel there. It should CONTINUOUSLY gush out like a cow peein' on flat rock. If it dribbles or is intermittent then you need to find out why.

 

[JD/mo]

Mike, I re-built 2 TO-30 marvel carbs this summer. Never did it before. I used parts cleaner soak to get all the gunk off then jsut followed the directions in the repair manual to re assemble. It was a piece of cake. Don"t be intimidated, if I can do it anybody can.
JD