missing 8N

[B Bair]

52 8N side distributer, 12 volt. Plowed snow a couple weeks ago with no problems. Started right up and ran fine a couple hours. Today, a different story. Trned over slow about 3 times. dead battery. Put the charger on for about 10 min. ( not long enough ). Started up and running fine for 30 or 40 minutes. As I was pushing snow, engine started missing, pushed the cluch in and it straighted out. continued plowing and it did this several more times. Didnt die and didnt really act like it would die. did not miss the whole time just off and on acting up. Weather is about 15 degrees, wind blowing snow hard and sleeting. Could something be getting wet causing this? Low Battery charge? Does a side distributor have a gasket under the cap?( mine dont). Looks like were in for a couple bad days of snow and dont want to be stranded away from the garage. Appreciate any help.

 

[gahorN]

Sounds like you'd better charge that battery fully to protect it from freezing or bring it into the bedroom! :lol:

(I'll bet your low-battery is the cause of your miss, also. As the engine slows down under load, your gen or alt is not keeping the ignition system properly supplied.)

 

[blitz]

I've been there done that... my problem turned out to be a low battery and a non functioning charge system. Not saying that is your problem but the symptoms were the same. Good luck!

 

[B Bair]

I will charge the battery tonight but not putting another one in the bedroom !!!!! Lol

 

[Bob Harvey]

You could have the dreaded 'carb icing' problem-very common. Wrap some tin/aluminum foil around the carb and exhaust mnfld.- ex.mnfld. heat helps prevent the problem. HTH

 

[Bob Harvey]

Braggin' huh ?

 

[B Bair]

The carb was frosted up pretty good.

 

[Dell (WA)]

Bair........you write......"Started up and running fine for 30 or 40 minutes. As I was pushing snow, engine started missing, pushed the cluch in and it straighted out. continued plowing and it did this several more times. Didnt die and didnt really act like it would die. did not miss the whole time just off and on acting up".......with 12V, you should have plenty of sparkies even with a dead battery. (it should self-charge in 1/2-hr ennyways)

The intermittant missing as you describe is almost simular to ICED CARB. You do know the very act of carburation requires heat don't you? You doubt? Feel yer carb when running. Eazy cure, take some aluminum foil and wrap it around BOTH yer exhaust pipe and carb intake pipe and extend it around yer carb. This happens when weather conditions are just "right".

This is a known phenomenon. Infact many light airplane have a CARB HEAT control that they pull on approach for landing so they don't loose power. ........Dell the heater

 

[B Bair]

Thanks Dell, B. Harvey said that also. The carb was frosted up pretty good. Will try the foil trick tomorrow when I get defrosted.

 

[duey]

40 years back... in aircraft mechanics school they told us that the fuel atomization could drop the temperature of the fuel/air mix as much as 100 degrees.

Aircraft have methods of dealing with carb ice... our tractors don't really. Does make a good case for FUEL INJECTION though............

BTW, the cold comes from INSIDE the carb... not OUTSIDE.

About the only recourse would be to draw carb air from next to the exhaust manifold.

No I haven't done that with MINE... that is what the aircraft do.

duey