International 240 Utility

I pulled the coil and brought it home with me. I have been told I can get it tested. NAPA has a new one for $46 but won’t take it back if that is not the problem.

Is there a way I can test the coil myself?

In reviewing some of the forum archives on the 240, I found one that mentioned the coil being wired backwards, thus causing the plugs to fire backwards. Though it ran fine when I went to look at it, could this be the problem? It looks like it was wired backwards but I thought this might be due to it being a positive ground 6V system. The “battery” lead went to the distributor and the “distributor” lead went to the switch.

Another thing I noticed odd was the old plugs, and the new ones for as long as it ran this evening, carboned over with black soot????

I would appreciate any help or suggestions.

Thx, Denver

The plugs carboning up with black soot don't make sense. It seems to me that would not be caused by a firing problem, but by bad fuel or water. When I opened the drain on the carb fuel ran freely with no indication of water. When I pulled the carb there was no water in it.

The coil also has me stumped. Another forum indicated that there should only be one way to hook up a coil, regardless of 6V, 12V, or positive ground. The (+) should come from the switch and the (-) go to the distributor. This coil is marked (bat.) and (dist.), with the (bat.) going to the distributor and the (dist.) coming from the switch. This sounds backwards to me, but it ran fine that way when I went to look at it the first time. I tried reversing it the other night and it did not make a difference, but if that would have an effect, the damage may already be done.

Does anyone know of a way to test the coil with an ohmmeter, say for grounds, shorts or opens?

Again, Thanks for your input.

Denver

Not sure on your 240U, but the main jet screw on the carb. on most of that era tractor was at its bottom front. While you've got it running, try screwing it in until the engine starts to miss, then back out maybe half a turn.

Another thing to check is fuel flow to the carb. Should get a good flow where the line attaches to the carb. Also, there is probably an inline filter which is part of the inlet to the carb which may be plugged. Another thing to check is whether the vent on the gas tank is plugged, occasionally people have problems like you're describing from pulling a vacuum on the tank.

Good luck.