New 1250 - Won't start of course!

scoutkid · #1 03-07-2010, 10:14 PM

Hi there! Picked me up a 1250 this weekend, SN 2050063U531 112* for those who want to know.

The back story is the PO drove it up to the barn last summer to fuel up, then it wouldn't start again. It cranks all day long - no fire.

What i know:

- I have spark, and a new plug gapped .020
- Points look 'good enough' for now, and i gapped them to .020 and timing looks good
- I have fuel, i have cleaned the carb, fuel in the bowl, and shot starting fluid right into the TB - no fire
- I have air

- I have piston motion - the old screwdriver through the sparkplug hole trick
- I have seen the intake valve moving through the TB
- The PTO kill switch works fine, won't even crank unless that is off

Now, I am not a professional mechanic, but i know i need fuel, air, spark... What am i missing on this pesky K301? Here is a pic, sorry the hood is up, but hey, its and IH

Any help is appreciated

Diz Jr. · #2 03-07-2010, 10:29 PM

scoutkid,

That is a head scracher why it wont start

Did you roll it over with the spark plug out? These engines do have a compression release but there should still be a little suck and blow with your finger over the spark plug hole. Make sure you have the spark plug wire safely away when you do this, dont want to get shocked

Check that and get back to us :biggrin2.gif:

MBounds · #3 03-07-2010, 10:52 PM

Scoutkid: New plug?? What brand of plug. Champions often are bad out of the box!! That is why I only use Autolite 216 plugs in my IH Cub Cadets with 10 hp & higher single cylinder Kohlers...

Myron B

scoutkid · #4 03-07-2010, 10:56 PM

Yeah, compression tester reads 0. Thats to be understood. My fat fingers don't do a very good job of sealing around the spark plug hole, but i think i could feel a SLIGHT big of compression. Not slight, but SLIGHT.

scoutkid · #5 03-07-2010, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MBounds

Scoutkid: New plug?? What brand of plug. Champions often are bad out of the box!! That is why I only use Autolite 216 plugs in my IH Cub Cadets with 10 hp & higher single cylinder Kohlers...

Myron B

Myron - not a champion and actually the plug i pulled out worked fine (could see nice spark) but i replaced it anyhow (and can still see/hear a snappy spark).

scoutkid · #6 03-07-2010, 11:18 PM

Uh - oh.... can someone confirm that i should be able to measure the entire stroke through the spark plug hole? The manual says the stroke is supposed to be 3.25"..... Its like .5".........

cj4200 · #7 03-07-2010, 11:48 PM

I would have to say your measuring one of your valves. Depending on where you spark plug hole is. Oh ya I have to tell ya that's a good looking tractor.

scoutkid · #8 03-08-2010, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cj4200

I would have to say your measuring one of your valves. Depending on where you spark plug hole is. Oh ya I have to tell ya that's a good looking tractor.

I would think so, too... however why would the spark plug be centered over a valve rather than the piston? Oh, and THANKS

I am pretty proud of ol' Cal. (short for Calvin. I don't know why, thats just what I named it)

young enthusiest · #9 03-08-2010, 12:35 AM

If your getting zero compression, pull your breather off. I'll bet you a fair bit your exhaust or intake is stuck open. It happens sometimes. Pulling a head isnt too hard. It's just time consuming because you have to take the fuel tank out to do it. Pull the head, it might be a blown gasket, a peice of carbon in the valves, or something simple. My 1650 did the same thing. Just lubed up the exhaust valve, works fine now.

scoutkid · #10 03-08-2010, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by young enthusiest

If your getting zero compression, pull your breather off. I'll bet you a fair bit your exhaust or intake is stuck open. It happens sometimes. Pulling a head isnt too hard. It's just time consuming because you have to take the fuel tank out to do it. Pull the head, it might be a blown gasket, a peice of carbon in the valves, or something simple. My 1650 did the same thing. Just lubed up the exhaust valve, works fine now.

So here is the question to that - when i pull of the breather, can i see BOTH valve stems? I know i can see the intake valve move when i pulled off the carb.

If that will allow me to see the exhaust valve, i would think i could mark it and get a good estimate if it is able to travel its entire range or not.