I was cutting pastures for 1+ hours when the tractor stopped running with a puff of white smoke coming out the side of the engine. I tried to restart but starter did'nt turn over yet dash lights were on as normal. I let it cool down for an hour then checked the oil, antifreeze level, radiator blockage and battery, all were normal and it started right up. Started cutting again for 10 minutes same thing happened. I looked at electrical connections at starter, distributor and battery, no loose / corroded ones found. Any suggestion where to look next?
Why does my IH 504 tractor won't restart until cool
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DJ54
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Like SPYDERLK said check for spark, maybe pat/slap the coil to see if it is extremely hot, and why you want to pat or slap it, not just lay your hand on it. If you have spark, could quite possibly be vapor locking if you're pushing it pretty hard. Temperature gauge working..??
If you have spark, and it is vapor locking it's a pretty easy fix if you were around to hang with Ford guy's from the 60' & early 70's. Check your laundry room for some spring type clothes pins and clamp 2 or 3 on the fuel line. The old girl will probably run all day. The clothes pins act as a heat sink and will prevent it from vapor locking.
I have to do this on my little Farmall A if I'm using the rotary cutter on a hot day.
If you have spark, and it is vapor locking it's a pretty easy fix if you were around to hang with Ford guy's from the 60' & early 70's. Check your laundry room for some spring type clothes pins and clamp 2 or 3 on the fuel line. The old girl will probably run all day. The clothes pins act as a heat sink and will prevent it from vapor locking.
I have to do this on my little Farmall A if I'm using the rotary cutter on a hot day.
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Looked good but will open it up, dump out gas and check it closely. Thanks
Are those wooden or metal clips? Can't tell from your picture.
Will do thanks
DJ54
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- IH Farmall 656 gas/ IH 240 Utility/ 2, Super C Farmalls/ 2, Farmall A's/ Farmall BN/McCormick-Deering OS-6/McCormick-Deering O-4/ '36 Farmall F-12/ 480 Case hoe. '65 Ford 2000 3 cyl., 4 spd. w/3 spd Aux. Trans
Wood. If you don't have any, Wally-World or Dollar General/Dollar stores have them for cheap.
DJ54
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- IH Farmall 656 gas/ IH 240 Utility/ 2, Super C Farmalls/ 2, Farmall A's/ Farmall BN/McCormick-Deering OS-6/McCormick-Deering O-4/ '36 Farmall F-12/ 480 Case hoe. '65 Ford 2000 3 cyl., 4 spd. w/3 spd Aux. Trans
Could be a bad ground too. Check your cables on both ends, especially the chassis end. You have enough current to light the lights, just not enough to ground out the starter.
Thanks. I checked the grounds that I could find, look good. Ran it today for 1 + hours cutting grass with no problems. It was about 10 degrees cooler today. I did replace spark plugs, cleaned the radiator, distributor cap & rotor yesterday during the rain storm. Have crankcase oil breather on order since this 2015 one looks pretty dirty inside
Sonny580
Veteran Member
These 504's do get hot fast! Rad. is about half the size needed for this motor and I found vapor lock the biggest problem. BUT your puff of white smoke would be the bigger concern! Check the compression cause it sounds like an engine rebuild is getting close!
ALSO make sure rad. fins are squeeky clean ALL of the time. You might also add an electric fan to help move air. Take all of the side tins off the hood too as they block hot air from getting out.
Mine are 504-utility models but the 2444 industrial does the same thing mowing waterways.
Something I was going to do was to take the thermostat out of mine and try that. They go to 180 fast and stay there for a long time then go on to 200 slowly and after about 195 I turn into the wind and shut down for a while and go do something else.
ALSO make sure rad. fins are squeeky clean ALL of the time. You might also add an electric fan to help move air. Take all of the side tins off the hood too as they block hot air from getting out.
Mine are 504-utility models but the 2444 industrial does the same thing mowing waterways.
Something I was going to do was to take the thermostat out of mine and try that. They go to 180 fast and stay there for a long time then go on to 200 slowly and after about 195 I turn into the wind and shut down for a while and go do something else.
It stopped running again after idling for a minute or so while closing gate after running 2+ hours cutting pasture grass. No white smoke, normal battery, normal temp showing, no loose connections found this morning. Let it cool down for an hour then started right back up. I'm thinking the coil is getting hot and acting up. Mine is a 1964 utility
Sonny580
Veteran Member
Sounds like in your case the coil just might be going out! Hey,--when it dies or you run a long time does the coil get hot? I mean HOT? usually they do that when they get bad.
Also check the timing! It needs to be spot on. Not too fast or slow as that adds to the problem. Tune it by ear and when the motor sounds like its running free, tighten the dist and try that.
Also check the timing! It needs to be spot on. Not too fast or slow as that adds to the problem. Tune it by ear and when the motor sounds like its running free, tighten the dist and try that.
