D17 fouling plugs

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   My D17 got running like pure crap. Thought it was carb but pulled the plugs.  2 and 4 were fouled and soaking wet.  Hit them all with the wire wheel and gapped them at .025 (just guessed, might not be correct).  Runs a lot better now.  They are Autolite plugs.  Any thoughts on why it'd foul 2 and 4?  Engine runs strong and doesn't burn oil that I can tell.  Do I need a cap/rotor/wires/plug tuneup?
AaronSEIA

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AaronSEIA Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Mt Pleasant, IA Points: 2571	Post Options Post Reply Quote AaronSEIA Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: D17 fouling plugs Posted: 06 Feb 2016 at 8:10am
	My D17 got running like pure crap. Thought it was carb but pulled the plugs. 2 and 4 were fouled and soaking wet. Hit them all with the wire wheel and gapped them at .025 (just guessed, might not be correct). Runs a lot better now. They are Autolite plugs. Any thoughts on why it'd foul 2 and 4? Engine runs strong and doesn't burn oil that I can tell. Do I need a cap/rotor/wires/plug tuneup? AaronSEIA

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CTuckerNWIL Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: NW Illinois Points: 22825	Post Options Post Reply Quote CTuckerNWIL Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Feb 2016 at 8:53am
	Plug gap should be .030 If it fouls again, get the next hotter plug and see how that goes. It won't hurt a thing to run a half can of Sea Foam in the gas and the other half in the oil and make the tractor WORK at something for several hours. A good tune up never hurt a thing but from what I have heard, a hot coil and Pextronic ignition might be a BIG help to keep her running good for a long time. I have very little confidence in points and condensers available today. I had trouble keeping an 8N Ford going 2 years ago and went thru 3 condensers before I got one to last for more than an hour.
	http://www.ae-ta.com Lena 1935 WC12xxx, Willie 1951 CA6xx Dad bought new, 1954WD45 PS, 1960 D17 NF

Rick Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Jonesburg,Mo. Points: 3697	Post Options Post Reply Quote Rick Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Feb 2016 at 8:57am
	They just don't make things like they used to! We've all heard that saying before, huh? LOL! Rick

Gerald J. Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Hamilton Co, IA Points: 5636	Post Options Post Reply Quote Gerald J. Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Feb 2016 at 9:42am
	Wet with oil or wet with gasoline? Wet with oil would hint at rings or worn intake valve guide or messed up valve stem seal. Wet with gasoline would hint at running rich, carburetor needs to be tuned a little leaner, but could hint at a gap in the secondary circuit to those two plugs that could be a wire with a gap in it, missing a good end, the electrodes in the cap eroded, the rotor eroded short, the distributor shaft bushing worn and increasing the gap on those two plugs between the rotor and the cap. Or those plugs just were colder operating than needed to keep clean. Or could be the other two plugs have the gap getting a higher voltage to the plug as used in oil burning plug adapters or the junk plugs that Champion makes for old engines. Gerald J.

Steve in NJ Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Andover, NJ Points: 11992	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steve in NJ Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Feb 2016 at 10:50am
	When is the last time you tuned it up? Maybe that's all it needs. Like Gerald said, were the plugs fouled with gasoline or oil? If oil, you're loosing oil control inside the engine. That could be loose valve guides, excess blow by, high windage inside the crankcase, worn or broken oil ring. Fuel would be Carburetor related. Floats, to fat a mix, old fuel, or contaminated fuel in the tank. Plugs will tell a lot. In most cases, installing a new set of plugs is much better than cleaning up old ones (especially after they been fouled) to see how the engine runs and reacts. You might want to install an electronic ignition in the Distributor and never have to worry bout' tuning it up anymore other than a set of plugs every few years depending on how much you use the Tractor.... Steve@B&B
	39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife

AaronSEIA Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Mt Pleasant, IA Points: 2571	Post Options Post Reply Quote AaronSEIA Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Feb 2016 at 12:29pm
	Plugs were wet with gas. Lot of carbon buildup on the electrode. I plan on keeping an eye on my oil level and trying to do more than the short 10-15 minute low engine speed runs that I have been doing. Not sure when it was tunes up last, I've only had her for 9 months. Will probably do a tune-up this spring along with some other work it needs done. AaronSEIA

Steve in NJ Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Access Joined: 12 Sep 2009 Location: Andover, NJ Points: 11992	Post Options Post Reply Quote Steve in NJ Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Feb 2016 at 1:46pm
	Short run times don't allow the engine to get up to normal operating range. In turn, plug fouling can become a problem because the engine isn't put to work for long periods of time. The longer the run time or "work time" the better off it is for the engine, and to get a better idea of how the plugs and Ignition system is working. Give the ole' girl a fresh tuneup and then put her to work. Best way to check it out. Have fun!
	39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife

Orange Tractors Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Silver Level Joined: 13 Sep 2009 Location: Butler, MO Points: 172	Post Options Post Reply Quote Orange Tractors Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Feb 2016 at 1:52pm
	I've got a WD with a 12V conversion and distributor that burns oil and fouled plugs very quickly. I put maybe ten to twenty hours per year on it so it doesn't make sense to overhaul it. I went through several sets of Autolite, Champion and AC Delco plugs. Didn't matter they fouled out in short order. One day I was in the local O'Reilly's getting plugs, and the only ones they had that cross referenced were a set of NGK's. They have been in the tractor for about six years now, still going strong. I don't remember the number, but the replacement set has been on the dash of the farm truck for about four or five years, still in the sun faded box. Robert Edited by Orange Tractors - 06 Feb 2016 at 1:53pm

MACK Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 17 Nov 2009 Points: 7664	Post Options Post Reply Quote MACK Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 06 Feb 2016 at 9:58pm
	Check air cleaner hose at bottom of carb. for a hole. They will rot out there first, then suck dirt, which wears the rings. MACK

Brian Jasper co. Ia Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 11 Sep 2009 Location: Prairie City Ia Points: 10508	Post Options Post Reply Quote Brian Jasper co. Ia Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Feb 2016 at 8:15pm
	You might consider a new thermostat in the engine and even a weatherfront on the radiator. Getting the engine fully warmed up makes a big difference in plug fouling. Electronic ign and wider plug gaps help too.
	"Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian." Henry Ford

TimNearFortWorth Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Orange Level Joined: 12 Dec 2009 Points: 2014	Post Options Post Reply Quote TimNearFortWorth Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 07 Feb 2016 at 9:41pm
	2nd the Seafoam in the gas (one entire can for 1/2 to full tank) and run her hard for a good 30-60 minutes to clean her up. You will hear and feel the difference in minutes . . . .