NEW Gas Sputters my Ford 3400 Industrial?

[JHWacktor]

I bought a Ford 3400 Industrial Tractor last year. I love it, its just the right size and power that I need. More often than not, it runs perfectly. I've run my bush-hog for 6 hours straight with no issues. The next morning, I put more gas in it (cuz it was too hot the night before). When I start it, it just sputters and can barely idle so high RPMs and power are out of the question. I let it sputter for 20 minutes or so hoping it'll work itself out but nothing. In the past, in this situation, I'll leave it for several weeks (cuz I can't get to my land but once a month, at the moment) and when I come back, it starts right up and runs well.

Any insight or wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Birdhunter1]

Have you played with the choke setting when it is running rough, sometimes you can get it to run better with partial choke. That's not a fix it is a band aid.

Something else you can try is when it is running rough the spray carb cleaner around the intake and carb and see if it smoothes out.

 

[JHWacktor]

Have you played with the choke setting when it is running rough, sometimes you can get it to run better with partial choke. That's not a fix it is a band aid.

Something else you can try is when it is running rough the spray carb cleaner around the intake and carb and see if it smoothes out.

Thank you, I'll try both suggestions. I especially like the idea of the carb cleaner.

 

[fried1765]

Thank you, I'll try both suggestions. I especially like the idea of the carb cleaner.

Lots of folks use "Seafoam", and swear by it.
I have had a gas 3400 TLB for 31 years.
Just refurbished it! Looks like new now! Great machine!

 

[N2DFire]

I bought a Ford 3400 Industrial Tractor last year. I love it, its just the right size and power that I need. More often than not, it runs perfectly. I've run my bush-hog for 6 hours straight with no issues. The next morning, I put more gas in it (cuz it was too hot the night before). When I start it, it just sputters and can barely idle so high RPMs and power are out of the question. I let it sputter for 20 minutes or so hoping it'll work itself out but nothing. In the past, in this situation, I'll leave it for several weeks (cuz I can't get to my land but once a month, at the moment) and when I come back, it starts right up and runs well.

Any insight or wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

Ah and more details bring more suggestions
In your other thread you mention it happens after adding fuel so I was thinking Sediment, now you mention Hot vs Cold too. I think City Farmer might be on to something (from that other thread) about the points / cap.

I know our 8N is bad about getting moisture / condensation in the distributor cap in the current humidity of the summer months. That moisture can cause cross firing, firing early, and all sorts of issues.

In your case I would have thought that 20 minutes would be plenty of time for it to dry up but who knows.

You might try pulling the distributor cap and checking for moisture the next time it happens. A quick shot of WD-40 and wipe down with a clean rag will fix it but long term need to figure out how to keep moisture out of the distributor if that is indeed the issue. We have taken to putting a tarp over the 8N any time it isn't parked back in the barn.

Again - best of luck troubleshooting. Please be sure to come share what you find out.

 

[fried1765]

I bought a Ford 3400 Industrial Tractor last year. I love it, its just the right size and power that I need. More often than not, it runs perfectly. I've run my bush-hog for 6 hours straight with no issues. The next morning, I put more gas in it (cuz it was too hot the night before). When I start it, it just sputters and can barely idle so high RPMs and power are out of the question. I let it sputter for 20 minutes or so hoping it'll work itself out but nothing. In the past, in this situation, I'll leave it for several weeks (cuz I can't get to my land but once a month, at the moment) and when I come back, it starts right up and runs well.

Any insight or wisdom would be greatly appreciated.

I converted my 3400 to Pertronix electronic ignition.
Though that might not remedy this issue, I highly recommend doing the conversion.
It is a very simple install.

 

[Soundguy]

Any time you have a runtime issue, check spark, then move to fuel.

Post back.

If spark is good and choke helps, you have a fuel delivery issue. Anything from vac leaks to fuel pump to strainer to dirty carb

 

[Keith_B]

Drain and clean the fuel tank. Sounds like you are stirring up sediment and water in the tank when you add more fuel to it.