45 JD H running poorly

[C E Fenn]

my 45 h has been running poorly the last two times i had it out. like it is running rich. now it has gotten to the point it is hard starting, and it dies when i try to throttle it up. i was hoping someone could give me some hints before it tear into it. never worked on two cylinders.

 

[MSM]

It's probably going to require a good carb cleaning. PatB will probably chime in,he's the H guru on these forums.
The new improved enviornmentally friendly gasoline turns to goo when it sits. I turn off the gas and run the carb dry on everything I own that is gas powered.

 

[PBrowning]

I do wish you would use capital letters to start a sentence – makes it easier on my eyes.

As with any other engine, basic troubleshooting 101 = clean fuel, good fuel flow, fresh spark plugs and a nice blue flash across the plug gap is essential. Some compression is obviously needed – not a bunch, but enough so that you know its there!

You say your tractor dies when you try to throttle up – are you not even able to just sort of ease engine speed up? This is telling us the engine is being starved. This points to the carburetor.

I reckon we need to know more history from you – describe your use of the tractor during the last 12 months, tell us is the fuel tank has the same gas in it that was in there this time last year. Have you made any adjustments to the carburetor? If so, what did you do?

To test the magneto & wires, gap an old unserviceable spark plug to 3/16-inch, and then attach test spark plug to the plug-end of each plug wire, one at a time. Now, while holding the old over-gapped plug’s mounting body against the tractor somehow, see a nice blue spark make the jump! If this is true on each side, your ignition is good down to the plugs.

To test for fuel flow from tanks to the carburetor, open the three-way valve and sediment bowl valve; then go open the carburetor drain cock. You should have a steady, unbroken stream nearly as large as a pencil. If less, there is either lack of fuel in the tanks, obstruction in the lines leading into the carburetor, the carburetor’s inlet fuel filter is clogged, or you have some obstruction in the float needle valve area.

Now – if you can start the tractor and bring it up to near full speed (fast idle), there are a pair of carburetor tests you can perform without removing the carburetor. Go to the John Deere Model H Restoration Site (URL listed below), and once there – scan across to ARTICLES/DIAGRAMS. Choose ARTICLES 1, and from the drop downs, select CARBURETORS. Allow the article to come up - toward the end of the piece (page 10) there are the “No-Wrench” tests. Performing these will tell you quite a bit about your carburetor. Of course, reading the entire 10-page article will fill you in on single barrel carburetors for 2-cylinder JD tractors.

And so – do some more testing, and fill us in on some history – then we get to the heart of the matter for you in no time. Don’t forget capital letters to start a sentence and periods to end them! (PatB)
Restoration Site, JD H