seven 202 #1 Posted November 27, 2019 How come every year after not running I have no spark and I need to take Emery cloth to the contacts Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike'sHorseBarn 3,248 #2 Posted November 27, 2019 If the tractor is stored in a damp shed, then that is probably why. I don't know about you, but here in Pa it's been really wet for about 2 years and I've had to clean points more often than I've ever had to before. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,401 #3 Posted November 27, 2019 Do you have the cover over your points? If not, that's definitely why. If its stored outside, I'm not surprised that they need cleaned. We can go years without cleaning them on our cars/tractors, but we don't get much, if any snow throughout the year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seven 202 #4 Posted November 27, 2019 No it's been outside all year it has the cover on it thou runs fine now I'm thinking next year I might put a piece of paper between them before storing? 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZXT 2,401 #5 Posted November 27, 2019 1 minute ago, seven said: No it's been outside all year it has the cover on it thou runs fine now I'm thinking next year I might put a piece of paper between them before storing? Is there a big gap around where the wire feeding the points goes in? You might put a dab of silicone on it to keep moisture out. If there's a good seal, it shouldn't be as prone to corrosion. Putting paper between them might work. Simply stopping the points with them open might also do the trick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pfrederi 18,685 #6 Posted November 27, 2019 First stop using emory cloth it can leave grit behind which causes burning which leads to more corrosion. Use a metal points file, borrow your wife's metal nail file or even a new clean $ bill. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldlineman 1,537 #7 Posted November 27, 2019 I have a 1979 c- 101 that I have never touched the points or condenser on. Maybe just luck but runs great. Never had the cover off ! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pacer 3,177 #8 Posted November 27, 2019 Kinda odd - how things like this can vary so much, seven having frequent problems and oldline never having a prob. I'm kinda like old, I have bought several tractors that the points were glazed, but I cant recall ever having one glaze after I owned them. My mother had a push mower that was like seven and every spring I had to clean the points........... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oldlineman 1,537 #9 Posted November 27, 2019 I have an old Sears snow blower with a 7 hp Teki on it. Now this one I have had to clean points, a pain as we know they are under fly wheel. Runs great though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOB ELLISON 2,981 #10 Posted November 27, 2019 I would try changing to a kohler points. The cheaper points may be made from a cheap metal. China is known for bad everything. I've had a c160 for 3 years and the points have never been a problem but I use good Kohler points in it . 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pacer 3,177 #11 Posted November 27, 2019 26 minutes ago, oldlineman said: to clean points, a pain as we know they are under fly wheel. Heh, yeah, my moms mower points were also under the flywheel what a pain! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Achto 29,405 #12 Posted November 27, 2019 31 minutes ago, BOB ELLISON said: I've had a c160 for 3 years and the points have never been a problem but I use good Kohler points in it . I try to keep the old original points as long as I can. I have one new set of Kohler points in one tractor & they are the only ones that ever seem to need attention on a regular basis. I just don't think that the new stuff is as good as the old. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BOB ELLISON 2,981 #13 Posted November 27, 2019 4 hours ago, Achto said: I try to keep the old original points as long as I can. I have one new set of Kohler points in one tractor & they are the only ones that ever seem to need attention on a regular basis. I just don't think that the new stuff is as good as the old. Yes Achto You are right the old points were far better than the ones you get now. But the Chinese ones are not good at all. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wallfish 18,117 #14 Posted November 28, 2019 On 11/26/2019 at 10:32 PM, seven said: How come every year after not running I have no spark and I need to take Emery cloth to the contacts Oxidization As suggested make sure the points cover is sealed to keep moisture out. Is there a good gasket between the cover and block, rubber grommet on the wire leaving the points to the coil? The less exposure to moisture the better. Cheaper made materials may tend to oxidize faster than others. Oxidization will happen and that's why even new points come with a coating over the contacts to protect them. (even though they might be in a sealed package) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
