445 won't fire
- Thread starter JLP
- Start date
- Views: 6817
Welcome.
In my experience, having spark with the plug out is not the same as having spark under compression while the plug is in the combustion chamber. This is especially true for me on several gas machines that I have used gas with 15% ethanol in it. A new plug solves this problem for a while.
Squirt some WD40 into the carbureter throat and see if it will start and run for a few seconds. If so its a fuel or fuel supply problem
If a new plug doesn't solve it, the flywheel key may have broken and its now out of spark time.
Too much fuel from a bad float setting will dowse the spark, too. Keep the choke off when you try it.
I presume you can see fuel in the filter element when you inspect it. A weak fuel pump can cause insufficient fuel to flow even though you "have gas".
In my experience, having spark with the plug out is not the same as having spark under compression while the plug is in the combustion chamber. This is especially true for me on several gas machines that I have used gas with 15% ethanol in it. A new plug solves this problem for a while.
Squirt some WD40 into the carbureter throat and see if it will start and run for a few seconds. If so its a fuel or fuel supply problem
If a new plug doesn't solve it, the flywheel key may have broken and its now out of spark time.
Too much fuel from a bad float setting will dowse the spark, too. Keep the choke off when you try it.
I presume you can see fuel in the filter element when you inspect it. A weak fuel pump can cause insufficient fuel to flow even though you "have gas".
How many hours? When's the last time you ran it? Got good gas? I have a system for starting the 445, I hold the throttle all the way down, turn over the engine and lift it to the choke position until it starts then pull it right down to about half.
Rob
tkoza
Bronze Member
AM136681 IGNITION KIT - sample, part is sn# specific
it is located in the wiring harness
https://jdparts.deere.com/servlet/com.deere.u90.jdparts.view.publicservlets.HomeUnsigned
click the words
"John Deere Parts Catalog" - just below the words start searching here
the search by model 445
this failed on my 425 days before i it in on a 2210
it is located in the wiring harness
https://jdparts.deere.com/servlet/com.deere.u90.jdparts.view.publicservlets.HomeUnsigned
click the words
"John Deere Parts Catalog" - just below the words start searching here
the search by model 445
this failed on my 425 days before i it in on a 2210
LD1
Epic Contributor
I know everyone always says that if it has fuel and spark it will run, but there are just a few other variables involved.
Others have mentioned a few such as quality of gas, amount of gas, and spark timing.
First, not all "sparks" are the same. Is it a nice blue spark between the two electrodes. Or is it more of an orange color, or possible sparking down inside the plug itself. Either of these could cause problems.
None the less, I would start by replacing the plug. A $2 item is not going to break the bank. If it solves it, great. If not, at least we know its not the plug.
So if you are getting the correct amount of fuel and the spark timing is ok, the only other possibility is loss of compression. You can have the perfect amount of fuel, and a great spark, but if compression is low, it will not run.
If you have a compression tester, it would be worth putting on the motor just to see.
Please report back with anymore questions once you get a chance to check some of these things.
Others have mentioned a few such as quality of gas, amount of gas, and spark timing.
First, not all "sparks" are the same. Is it a nice blue spark between the two electrodes. Or is it more of an orange color, or possible sparking down inside the plug itself. Either of these could cause problems.
None the less, I would start by replacing the plug. A $2 item is not going to break the bank. If it solves it, great. If not, at least we know its not the plug.
So if you are getting the correct amount of fuel and the spark timing is ok, the only other possibility is loss of compression. You can have the perfect amount of fuel, and a great spark, but if compression is low, it will not run.
If you have a compression tester, it would be worth putting on the motor just to see.
Please report back with anymore questions once you get a chance to check some of these things.
My 1995 445 had the plastic cam go out at about 700 hours. Do a compression test. If it reads zero on one cyclinder then you will most likely have to change the cam.
I didn't even pull the engine on mine, but I did have to unbolt all the engine mounts and drive shaft. While I was at it, I change the water pump.
Did I mention it died when my wife got done mowing. She parked it outside the barn with a wagon full of grass. It would crank, had spark, but it wouldn't start.
I didn't even pull the engine on mine, but I did have to unbolt all the engine mounts and drive shaft. While I was at it, I change the water pump.
Did I mention it died when my wife got done mowing. She parked it outside the barn with a wagon full of grass. It would crank, had spark, but it wouldn't start.
will v
Member
Think you are looking at a classic cam gear failure. Let us know if you find compression issues.
Will
