carb icing

[Bill Kycia]

HI,ALL I just got my W running for the first time in 40 plus years.Very exciting.It run pretty good,but after about 8 mins Kingston carb starts to get really cold and sweaty.Engine starts to die out.Any ideas why? Stock air cleaner is connected and complete.I also think clutch disc is stuck to fly wheel from sitting.Tractor wont go in gear and moves with clutch peddle depressed.Any ideas on that,or will it take care of itself with use.  Thanks Bill in CT.

[Blake Malkamaki]

Bill, it's just a phenomenon due to the weather conditions, temperature, humidity, etc. I don't think there is anything you can do, but it may not do it when the engine is warmed up. Or, it could. My E does that now and then. Not very often.

Blake

[Richard Borgaro]

Hello Bill, as for the sticking clutch, I would remove just one of the clutch adjusting bolts on the flywheel and SpRay in a little WD40. Reinstall bolt and the clutch should free up on its own. Blake is right, the intake will frost up if the conditions are just right. If you use the hood and side panels, this condition will probably never happen again. Post a photo of your W. Would love to see it. Does it have the water air clarifier?

[Bill Kycia]

Richard,Thanks for the tip about the clutch.You do mean a couple of shots of WD ,not half a can? It was running with no hood or side panels.I will install them and give it a try.It is a later  W with oil bath under hood.Will try to post some pics. Thanks Bill in CT.

[Richard Borgaro]

Just a small amount of WD40, you should also adjust the clutch once the WD has had a chance to soak in. Those Pomona oil bath air cleaners work very well. Waiting for the glamor photos of the old girl.

[Bill Kycia]

 Put all tin work in place tonight and ran tractor.Again great for about 2 mins ,sputters and dies. Carb is not as cold,it almost seems like its running out of fuel.Start it again and does the same. Thanks BILL

[Blake Malkamaki]

Is it still covered with ice Bill, or does it just act like it's running out of fuel? To prevent carb icing, airplanes and older cars used heat ducted from a shroud around the manifold that could be opened or closed, either manually or with a thermostat. Maybe you could route a little hot air from the radiator around the carb and intake pipe using dryer hose or something. Won't look good, but might be useful in diagnosing the problem.

The problem occurs on my E, but only now and then and is not too troublesome.

Blake

[Richard Borgaro]

Hello Bill, have you taken apart the carburetor for a good cleaning? Is the gas tank free of rust. Sounds like you  have a plugged fuel delivery problem. Something floating in the tank that plugs the outlet every couple of minutes. Adjust the float level and check the float bowl itself for a pin hole. The float shut off could be sticking? I would also use a hotter spark plug until you have some hours on the engine. Good luck and report back on your progress. Hope to see you in Canandaigua at the big Cletrac Show in a couple of weeks.

[Bill Kycia]

Blake my E 38 carb gets cold and sweaty often, but dose not stop running.I think this tractor is running out of gas.Richard,the carb is rebuilt and super clean,float bowl seems ok.I am using 1/4 inch fuel line,maybe I should increase it to 3/8.I think fuel tank is clean.Cant find a float measurement number anywhere.I wanted to take it to NY show ,but know if it will be ready.I could take my K-20,but never bothered to book a room.Probably wont go. Bill in CT.

[Blake Malkamaki]

Is 1/4" line the original size? I know a lot used 5/16" line. 1/4" is not very forgiving if there is the least bit of crud in the tank. Regarding the float setting: setting it level with the carb upside down is probably a good safe guess. Most are designed to run that way. By the way, what is your float made out of? Is it brass or is it cork? Cork floats are coated with shellac to keep gasoline from being absorbed, but ethanol fuel will eat the shellac away and ruin the float. If there is a rubber or neoprene tip on the float needle, ethanol fuel will also soften or destroy that. And I've been told by my good lawn and garden shop buddy that the rule of thumb with spark plugs is to go up one heat range if burning pump gas with ethanol. And, personally, I try to stay away from Champion, unless they are the ones that have been in the tractor for 50 years - then they are probably ok.

I need to call tomorrow to get a room for Canadagua. Bob Burkhouse is going and I have to see if he called about a room. Looks like I am going up Thursday morning and coming home Friday night as I have to work Saturday.

Oh, put my cell number in your phones guys if you want to get together. 814-720-2464

Blake

[Richard Borgaro]

Hello Blake and Bill, looked at the Owner's Manual and it says adjust the float level to 3/8". Helped a friend with his Kingston L2 on his W. The Air valve was sticking and his float was a mess. We reattached the float to the hinge. The float was cork, so we coated it with tank liner. Same material that is used to coat inside of gas tanks. We put on about 5 coats of the material and let it air dry for a week. The starts and runs better, put he has some other issues with the engine. Did you rebuild the carb, or a shop? Swap the carburetor off our K and see if the stalling of the engine continues.

Bring the W to Canandaigua and we can help diagnosis the old girl. Here is my cell # guys, call me when you get to the show, 530-277-5890 will talk soon, Richard

[Bill Kycia]

Morning guys, I took the carb apart when I started this project a while back.Cleaned it really good and put a modern material float in it,not much to rebuild.I pretty sure I have found the problem.Was increasing fuel line size and found rust in fitting at bottom of tank.Took tank off and going to clean it again.Blake,how did the room search go? I was told by people who have been to that show before,that you need to get a room about 6 months out.Richard I cant believe coming all the way from Cali.Thanks for the help.I will let you the out come some time this week. Then its on to the clutch problem and swiss cheese radiator.I still dont think this tractor will make it to the show ,but I could bring the K-20 and sleep in my truck lol.  Bill

[Richard Borgaro]

Nice job Bill of tracking down the problem. Make sure the two grease cups on the clutch shaft are greased.
      Would like to see your K at the show. I'm flying out, and will arrive on Wed morning. I will drive back with Roland Blietz, one of our club members who is  bringing a Cleveland Motor Plow Model R. His model R has the lowest serial number known to exist ,made by the Cleveland Motor Plow Co. About half way through the production of the R,  in 1917, they changed the name to the Cleveland Tractor Co. See you guys at the show, Richard

[Blake Malkamaki]

Thanks Richard... I put your number in my contacts. Regarding coating the cork float with tank sealer, we tried that with our 28-50 Hart Parr float, but it proved to be too heavy and the float sunk in gasoline. Had good luck with coating it with shellac that was thinned with alcohol. Didn't have to worry about alcohol in gasoline in 1977. Using a "modern material" is probably the best way to go. Bill: what is this modern material?

Hello Blake and Bill, looked at the Owner's Manual and it says adjust the float level to 3/8". Helped a friend with his Kingston L2 on his W. The Air valve was sticking and his float was a mess. We reattached the float to the hinge. The float was cork, so we coated it with tank liner. Same material that is used to coat inside of gas tanks. We put on about 5 coats of the material and let it air dry for a week. The starts and runs better, put he has some other issues with the engine. Did you rebuild the carb, or a shop? Swap the carburetor off our K and see if the stalling of the engine continues.

Bring the W to Canandaigua and we can help diagnosis the old girl. Here is my cell # guys, call me when you get to the show, 530-277-5890 will talk soon, Richard

[Blake Malkamaki]

Bill, I got Bob Burkhouse and I a room at the Econo Lodge just down the road from the show. They had one more room available. I should have posted that on here right away.

We are only staying Thursday night as I have work on Wednesday and Saturday, and Bob is going to Brownsville, PA to another show on Saturday.

Blake,how did the room search go? I was told by people who have been to that show before,that you need to get a room about 6 months out..  Bill