JD316 Skip & backfire

[F250Diesel]

Engine skips and backfires. Changed spark plug wires, spark plugs and burnished the points. This helped some but it still backfires and runs rough. Points and condenser change a couple of years ago. If I take the cover off of the points and watch the points with the engine running, I can see the points arcing any time the the engine is running rough or backfiring. When the points are not arcing the engine runs ok. Any help would be appreciated before I spend more money changing parts. New points are 35.00 at the John Deer place. Last time I replaced them they were about 9.00 for them.

 

[beenthere]

:welcome:
What engine is in the 316?

How many hours on it? How long since the $9 points were put in?

 

[F250Diesel]

It has a Onan engine. It has 950 total hours.It had 749 hrs when I replaced the points and cond. I bought it new in 1984. I ran fine untill a few months ago. Originally it would get better after I used it for 20 min or so. It would never quit backfireing or running rough just not as often.

 

[glc24]

Hello F250Diesel,and welcome to TBN!
If the JD price is for points and condensor,that is a fair price. Points only,not good. Try Onans website,you may find the parts at a better price.
Onanparts.com, Your Onan Parts Solution

 

[F250Diesel]

Thanks for all of your input. I guess I will try new points and cond.

 

[DrainPondDesign]

You may want to check the operator presence seat switch circuit. An intermittent circuit would explain the backfiring.

 

[SpudHauler]

Try just the condenser first. The arching is usually a sign of a poor condenser. But do clean your old points and replace if this doesn't help.