mf35 won't start

[WilliamTO-35]

This is a bit off topic, but does concern a big mistake I made choosing spark plugs for an outboard motor. My mistake was relying on the parts counter man to read his cross reference spark plug chart correctly. He gave me some spark plugs that were way too hot a heat range for my motor, and they nearly burned a hole in my pistons. The plugs came out of my engine covered with aluminum . The motor would run fine for a couple of minutes, and then die, over and over again. That's not a symptom that comes to mind if the spark plugs are too hot, but that's what did happen. I should have realized that the extended insulator tip on the plugs wasn't correct , but I wasn't thinking clearly. Since then, I stick with the brand and heat range plug that's been working well in my engines, and make no unnecessary changes.

 

[bcsawyer]

speaking of Champion plugs, I have heard of John Deere 2 cyl collectors who keep a set of champions for show since they were oe but put autolites in them so they'll run. we've always had good luck with autolite plugs in tractors.

 

[lambs]

OK, I've got to tell my tractor story. Grew up on a dairy farm, several tractors, both gas and diesel, including my little pedal tractor that had its own "spark plug" wires, really just pieces of rubber that plugged into holes on the sheet metal to simulate plug wires and plugs.

My Dad's Ford wouldn't start one day. He apparently spent the better part of two days trying to trouble shoot it, including having a Ford mechanic come out to the farm. They tried everything. Finally the mechanic mentioned that it almost seemed as though someone had switched the plug wires around. At that point my Dad came into the house and asked me if I'd been working on Daddy's tractor. I have no memory of this, but I apparently said "I fitsed it" or something like that. He didn't have the heart to punish me, but paid the mechanic for his time, including the 5 minutes it took him to connect the spark plug wires on the Ford to the proper spark plugs.

My Dad's 86 now, and still tells that story.

 

[WarrenF]

OK, I've got to tell my tractor story. Grew up on a dairy farm, several tractors, both gas and diesel, including my little pedal tractor that had its own "spark plug" wires, really just pieces of rubber that plugged into holes on the sheet metal to simulate plug wires and plugs.

My Dad's Ford wouldn't start one day. He apparently spent the better part of two days trying to trouble shoot it, including having a Ford mechanic come out to the farm. They tried everything. Finally the mechanic mentioned that it almost seemed as though someone had switched the plug wires around. At that point my Dad came into the house and asked me if I'd been working on Daddy's tractor. I have no memory of this, but I apparently said "I fitsed it" or something like that. He didn't have the heart to punish me, but paid the mechanic for his time, including the 5 minutes it took him to connect the spark plug wires on the Ford to the proper spark plugs.

My Dad's 86 now, and still tells that story.

OOOOPPPPPPSSSSS

 

[Farmwithjunk]

OK, I've got to tell my tractor story. Grew up on a dairy farm, several tractors, both gas and diesel, including my little pedal tractor that had its own "spark plug" wires, really just pieces of rubber that plugged into holes on the sheet metal to simulate plug wires and plugs.

My Dad's Ford wouldn't start one day. He apparently spent the better part of two days trying to trouble shoot it, including having a Ford mechanic come out to the farm. They tried everything. Finally the mechanic mentioned that it almost seemed as though someone had switched the plug wires around. At that point my Dad came into the house and asked me if I'd been working on Daddy's tractor. I have no memory of this, but I apparently said "I fitsed it" or something like that. He didn't have the heart to punish me, but paid the mechanic for his time, including the 5 minutes it took him to connect the spark plug wires on the Ford to the proper spark plugs.

My Dad's 86 now, and still tells that story.

Uh...? Any chance you've been working on JohnMF35's tractor?

 

[EddieWalker]

Interesting thread. I don't know enough about engines to undersand what the spark plugs were doing, or not doing?

I've also never heard that Champion plugs were not very good. I can't even remember what I bought the last time I replace my plugs, and that was less then a year ago.

I was really thinking it was the condensor or the wrong mount of fuel coming out from the rebuild. Nice to hear the solution and all the great suggestions on trouble shooting it.

Eddie

 

[maxwell1]

This is a bit off topic, but does concern a big mistake I made choosing spark plugs for an outboard motor. My mistake was relying on the parts counter man to read his cross reference spark plug chart correctly. He gave me some spark plugs that were way too hot a heat range for my motor, and they nearly burned a hole in my pistons. The plugs came out of my engine covered with aluminum . The motor would run fine for a couple of minutes, and then die, over and over again. That's not a symptom that comes to mind if the spark plugs are too hot, but that's what did happen. I should have realized that the extended insulator tip on the plugs wasn't correct , but I wasn't thinking clearly. Since then, I stick with the brand and heat range plug that's been working well in my engines, and make no unnecessary changes.

my little TO35 just stopped in the field one day while I was disking.

Problem: no fire to plugs and i keep my little fergy in good operating condition, so I new it had good plugs tuneup etc:

Problem: a film built up on point contacts. took a little strip of fine sandpaper and pulled it between point contacts a few times and she fired right up.

They are good little tractors but they like to be well maintained.