Top K (VA)
New User
My ’49 8N is suddenly running inconsistently - for a while it runs just fine, even under load (bush hog), then it will suddenly start to cut out, sputtering and backfiring while it struggles to continue
running. Seems like it’s starving for gas or air. It can happen while under load or not - it could just be sitting out of gear idling smoothly, then suddenly start to struggle and eventually cut out. When
it does stall out, it starts back up and idles normally. Sometimes I can take off and start bush- hogging normally, other times as soon as I start under load it begins to bog down. I tried adjusting the
choke to see if that made any difference but it made none.
Here’s what I did prior to the issue starting: my Fuel Shutoff Valve was leaking gas, so I replaced the washer on the Valve Stem. I also installed a screen in the sediment bowl (had been running without
one for years). I used Gasoila (liquid PTFE) on all the fuel line threads to prevent leaks (first time using it). All fuel connections were dry as a bone afterwards.
First time out, the tractor stalled out after about 5 mins of bush-hogging. It sounded to me (from past experience) that it was NOT getting enough fuel. It would not start back up…just cranked. Next
day I replaced the spark plugs, added a drop of oil to the alternator (advanced spark) and tapped on the Carb with a wooden handle to free up the float if it was stuck. Opened up the fuel valve and then
disconnected the fuel line at the Carb and verified fuel was flowing fine to the Carb.
Started the tractor and it ran fine while I bush-hogged for about an hour - then it started it’s sputtering and cutting out issue. I topped off the gas tank so that it was close to full, replaced the oil
in the air cleaner (it was dirty, but not so bad that it would have prevented airflow). Neither of those steps cleared up the issue. Looking at the sediment bowl, it appears full when the sputtering occurs
- no bubbling (one time my gas was so hot it was boiling, which caused bubbling in the sediment bowl - that did not appear to be the issue this time).
I’ll try again tomorrow to see if it runs ok for at least an hour so I can finish my field. In the meantime, I’m hoping someone has had a similar experience. Since it’s running very inconsistently (fine
one minute and cutting out the next either under load or not), it seems to me that troubleshooting this will be a challenge.
running. Seems like it’s starving for gas or air. It can happen while under load or not - it could just be sitting out of gear idling smoothly, then suddenly start to struggle and eventually cut out. When
it does stall out, it starts back up and idles normally. Sometimes I can take off and start bush- hogging normally, other times as soon as I start under load it begins to bog down. I tried adjusting the
choke to see if that made any difference but it made none.
Here’s what I did prior to the issue starting: my Fuel Shutoff Valve was leaking gas, so I replaced the washer on the Valve Stem. I also installed a screen in the sediment bowl (had been running without
one for years). I used Gasoila (liquid PTFE) on all the fuel line threads to prevent leaks (first time using it). All fuel connections were dry as a bone afterwards.
First time out, the tractor stalled out after about 5 mins of bush-hogging. It sounded to me (from past experience) that it was NOT getting enough fuel. It would not start back up…just cranked. Next
day I replaced the spark plugs, added a drop of oil to the alternator (advanced spark) and tapped on the Carb with a wooden handle to free up the float if it was stuck. Opened up the fuel valve and then
disconnected the fuel line at the Carb and verified fuel was flowing fine to the Carb.
Started the tractor and it ran fine while I bush-hogged for about an hour - then it started it’s sputtering and cutting out issue. I topped off the gas tank so that it was close to full, replaced the oil
in the air cleaner (it was dirty, but not so bad that it would have prevented airflow). Neither of those steps cleared up the issue. Looking at the sediment bowl, it appears full when the sputtering occurs
- no bubbling (one time my gas was so hot it was boiling, which caused bubbling in the sediment bowl - that did not appear to be the issue this time).
I’ll try again tomorrow to see if it runs ok for at least an hour so I can finish my field. In the meantime, I’m hoping someone has had a similar experience. Since it’s running very inconsistently (fine
one minute and cutting out the next either under load or not), it seems to me that troubleshooting this will be a challenge.