Oliver Super 55 gas won't start below freezing

[caterpillar guy]

Since gas doe not atomize as well in cold weather you need the choke closed and the throttle at idle to get the mist needed to start so probably a compression issue from worn rings. As for the other issue of not starting I would guess it has enough water in the carb to plug passages and freeze. Like said spray some ether/starting fluid in the intake while cranking and see if it starts if so then you found the problem.

 

[Old Fixer]

Yesterday, when the temperature reached 30 degrees in the afternoon, I attempted to start it again without success. The sediment bowl was clear. Even after using a dose of starting fluid, all I got were a couple of timid puffs with no ignition. So, I strapped my old clothes iron under the oil pan, hung the lightbulb heater under the carburetor, and waited until today. Before lunch, when the temperature was around 20 degrees, I plugged them in and returned to try again after everything warmed up. After about an hour of heating, the carb was warmed to 86 degrees. I pulled the choke and turned the key; it fired right up within 2-3 revs and purred like a kitten afterward, with no stuttering or dying misses.

Here's a photo of my lightbulb heater that can hang snuggly under the carb.
View attachment IMG_0052.JPG

 

[super99]

Well, now you know what you have to do to start it when it's cold!

 

[used red MN]

Yesterday, when the temperature reached 30 degrees in the afternoon, I attempted to start it again without success. The sediment bowl was clear. Even after using a dose of starting fluid, all I got were a couple of timid puffs with no ignition. So, I strapped my old clothes iron under the oil pan, hung the lightbulb heater under the carburetor, and waited until today. Before lunch, when the temperature was around 20 degrees, I plugged them in and returned to try again after everything warmed up. After about an hour of heating, the carb was warmed to 86 degrees. I pulled the choke and turned the key; it fired right up within 2-3 revs and purred like a kitten afterward, with no stuttering or dying misses.

Here's a photo of my lightbulb heater that can hang snuggly under the carb.
View attachment 101536

This still is operating status quo, with no check to the choke system? Are you attempting to reinforce the meaning of insanity? Just a wise-in-himer statement. And I realize you made the statement that you would check it out when it warms up.

 

[Old Fixer]

I've already known this method for over a decade, but as I've crossed the 80th parallel on my life's calendar, I was hoping for a resolution to the convoluted process. It's getting harder to crawl under that tractor to harness it up on those cold mornings when I want to plow snow. I think the solution lies in that carburetor choke mechanism in some way. Next summer...

 

[Crazy Horse]

I inherited the 55 from my dad, and it performs adequately and starts quickly, EXCEPT when the temperature drops to below ~22 degrees. I’ve used deicer and Stabil in the gas in various amounts and combinations with no benefit. The starter has good turnover speed when the oil pan is heated. A sparkplug tester indicates a strong and regular spark, but it simply will not fire. I have found that by warming the carb with a 100-watt bulb for a while and injecting a little starting fluid into the intake, I can usually get it started, and then it runs smoothly. Since I feel I've precluded icing, my postulate is something is physically seizing in the carb because of contraction in colder weather, something such as the float or intake valve, but what or how? New plugs, points, condenser, and cap were installed without improving the situation.

Any hints or suggestions out there? I'm trying to keep the snow plowed, but it takes half the day to get it started!

"Below Freezing" ....... that would be below +32 Fahrenheit or below 0 Celsius. Below -22 degrees is a LOT colder than freezing in F or C readings.

 

[scootergmc]

Guys.... he typed a ~ (tilde), not a -(minus). A tilde in text form denotes an approximation. So the tractor behavior occurring "below freezing" is around 22 degrees. Let's molehill this.

 

[Crazy Horse]

Guys.... he typed a ~ (tilde), not a -(minus). A tilde in text form denotes an approximation. So the tractor behavior occurring "below freezing" is around 22 degrees. Let's molehill this.

My humble apologies are a passed along to anyone that might have been frustrated or offended by my error. And yes, I missed the thilde ..... never heard of that term to be honest but I knew of it.

 

[used red MN]

Guys.... he typed a ~ (tilde), not a -(minus). A tilde in text form denotes an approximation. So the tractor behavior occurring "below freezing" is around 22 degrees. Let's molehill this.

I honestly thought he was asking this in reference to a temperature of minus 22F. I still stand by the fact that if he is 80 and doesn’t want to dink around in the cold trying to start his old tractor he should install an engine heater he can plug in an hour or two ahead of time. I guess if he finds a problem with the choke he can attempt to see if that solves his problem for his 81st winter season.