(800) 853-2651
SHOP NOW

Washing tractors

R

Russ from MN

Well-known Member
Location
Bemidji MN
I washed our Farmall C today to get ready for the parade on the 4th, and when I went to put it back in the shed it wouldn't start! I had it running after washing it, but I left it out in the wind to dry. I had to take the battery cable off and clean it, some water must of gotten it and caused some quick corrosion. I sure don't like washing it, too many places for water to get into, but it was really dirty, it's a working tractor.
 
Distributor or plugs got wet. Grandpa washed his 350 utility and got the distributor wet. After it dried up it started right up.
 
One suggestion I might make is to have an air compressor handy to blow out the inside of the distributor cap and plug wires. Shooting wd40 in before you blow helps. Pull each plug wire out and blow out the socket, and blow off the wires and sockets in the cap. I do this before I even attempt to start it up. Takes a little time but its good insurance. I do not mess with blowing off battery cables unless I want to blow junk off he top of the battery.
 
Try
Power washed my Farmall c , spray It with purple power and pudy knife off heavy grease ,purlple power full strength again. Power wash with tractor running. I dont dwell around magneto,manifolds . Starter and generator control box .
My paint is older , Ive found purple power that drys on the repaint generator turns it duller.
Dont put power washer jet to close to delicate electrical parts
Might help.
 
I refuse to wash my tractors. I don't think water and tractors are a good combination.
I don't leave anything with a motor and wheels outside.
Use a rag and wipe off dirt.
A little dirt and oil is rust proofing.
 
I wash my tractors all the time with a power washer and 10 degree tip. I dont have any issues with moisture in the distributor as I use electronic ignition.

However, I did have an issue washing a TO-20 Ferguson that did not have EI and even with avoiding the distributor when washing the humidity in the air from the water would not let the distributor work and I had to open it up and let it dry out in the sun for awhile.
 
Had an issue similar to yours. Checked everything possible but engine would just crank over an not start. Finally got time to pull it, went about the length of the tractor and it fired off. I knew the engine was worn, overhauled in the 60s, so I said to heck with it and drove it to the shop and now I am the process of rebuild front to back. Still dont know why it wouldnt start after power washing.
 
(quoted from post at 19:25:22 06/23/21) Distributor or plugs got wet. Grandpa washed his 350 utility and got the distributor wet. After it dried up it started right up.
Click to expand...

A lot of you missed the point. He's not asking how to fix it. There was an iffy battery connection that the water finished off.
 
(quoted from post at 09:04:42 06/24/21)
(quoted from post at 19:25:22 06/23/21) Distributor or plugs got wet. Grandpa washed his 350 utility and got the distributor wet. After it dried up it started right up.
Click to expand...

A lot of you missed the point. He's not asking how to fix it. There was an iffy battery connection that the water finished off.
Click to expand...


Barnyard, I think that you missed the point that it is extremely unlikely to everyone else that a little water on the outside of a battery terminal is going to cause "some quick corrosion". inside the connection.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Mr.Big346
Radiator Repair
Replies
9
Views
809
Mr.Big346
Mr.Big346
W
rough glass
Replies
3
Views
224
caterpillar guy
C
J
Barn Drainage
Replies
19
Views
2K
Joel Casssell
J
T
Corn in truck got wet
Replies
8
Views
1K
Fixingfarmer
Fixingfarmer
super99
Burned my fingers OUCH!!!
Replies
10
Views
1K
BarnyardEngineering
BarnyardEngineering
Tractor Parts Tractor Manuals

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Copyright © 1997-2024 Yesterday's Tractor Co.

All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of any part of this website, including design and content, without written permission is strictly prohibited. Trade Marks and Trade Names contained and used in this Website are those of others, and are used in this Website in a descriptive sense to refer to the products of others. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy TRADEMARK DISCLAIMER: Tradenames and Trademarks referred to within Yesterday's Tractor Co. products and within the Yesterday's Tractor Co. websites are the property of their respective trademark holders. None of these trademark holders are affiliated with Yesterday's Tractor Co., our products, or our website nor are we sponsored by them. John Deere and its logos are the registered trademarks of the John Deere Corporation. Agco, Agco Allis, White, Massey Ferguson and their logos are the registered trademarks of AGCO Corporation. Case, Case-IH, Farmall, International Harvester, New Holland and their logos are registered trademarks of CNH Global N.V.

Yesterday's Tractors - Antique Tractor Headquarters
Website Accessibility Policy

Back
Top