Got a lack of power on my TO30. Coughs and sputters when gas is applied.
Checked the plugs, they are good. Fuel system *appears* to be clean and in working order. Is there anything else I should check? Carb adjustment maybe off? Don't know........
Was a strong running old tractor last season and the first mow of this year...............and for some reason, all of a sudden, does not want to get up and go. Starts up just fine, but sputters quite a bit when at idle and all the way through full power.
FYI......just recently replaced the water pump but do not think that could be the cause of the problem.
Any thoughts/ideas would be greatly appreciated!!
To run properly, the engine has to have a GOOD SPARK (FAT AND BLUISH-WHITE, the color of lightning) at the RIGHT TIME and the cylinder must be filled with the PROPER FUEL/AIR MIXTURE.
I'd start by checking the spark.(More problems occur with the primary ignitin circuit then with the carburetor!) Pull the center wire iur of the distributor cap, hols it ear a good ground and str a start. You should see a FAT, BLUISH-WHITE SPARK, the color of lightning. If it's a spindly blue redish-bluish, or yellowish spark then there's a problem in the primary ignition circuit (battery to key switch to coil to distributor points to ground). The points may be dirty, oily, corroded (from lack of use over the winter), or improperly set. The distributor shaft/bushing may be worn. The condensor may be bad. There maybe high resistance in the key switch (yes they do go bad), the coil my be failing, there may be hih resistance in the primary circuit wiring (loose or dirty connection, corrosion, etc. Poor grounding ofthe battery or the distributor is a possibility. SO these need to be systematically checked out and by a process of elimination , not 'throwing parts at it", the cause determined and remedied.
If you have the requisite spark (FAT AND BLUISH-WHITE), then check the carb adjustment needles. The big knob on the carb is the main jet adjustment and should be around 1-1/4 turn out from full in. I should never be less that 1 turn full out on the Z block Continentals because thats too lean and you can burn exhaust valves due to a lack of charge cooling from evaporating fuel. The idle air mixture control screw inward for enrichment and should be about 3/4 to 1 full turn out. T
here shuld be adequate fuel flow to the carb. remove the plug at the bottom of the carb fuel bowl. With the tank vlave full open, the fuel should CONTINUOUSLY gush out the bottom. If it dribbles or is intermittent, then you have a fulel delivery problem. There is a screen in the fuel connection elbow onthe carb, Check it for crud and then work your way back to the tank. Check the filter above the sediment bowl. make sure the fuel line is not kinked or bebt, etc. Make sure the vent hole in the fuel cap is open. if you still cant't get fuel flow out of the carb, the tank vale is clogged or the float valve passage is clogged or there is so much crud inthe fuel bowl that the float ca't drop. The carb has to come off to check that.
Go through these checks sytemtically and you'll find your problem. Resist the temptation to start throwing parts at it and find the root cost of your problem and fix it. It's a good learning experience and it the cheapest way to fix your tractor.
