Lack of power

[Philt]

I have a 1978 case 1370 that lacks power until it has been running for an hour or more any ideas?

[Doc]

That is a strange one. It warms up after 15 minutes running or else I'd guess cold natured. Does the engine sound the same during the 1st hour as opposed to after you have power?

[Philt]

Yes, the motor sounds the same. As far as I can tell the only difference is the lack of power.

[Doc]

Are we talking drive train power / pulling power or PTO power or both?

[20/20]

This is an odd one?? How about fuel pressure?

[Philt]

Low pulling power, not sure about fuel pressure but it will rev up fine when I push in on the clutch

[Doc]

So does the engine bog down when you are trying to pull or have any other symptoms during the 1st hour?
If I understand right with no load the engine will rev just fine during the first hour of work. But under load the engine bogs down and might even die? Is this accurate?

[bczoom]

I was kind of thinking along the same line as Doc. I'm wondering if it's something in the hydraulics.

[Philt]

That is correct under load it loses power.

[Doc]

Grasping at straws here ....but could it be vapor lock? When it heats up it somehow clears itself. The heat of the engine has to have something to do with it.

[Philt]

I wouldn't think it would take an hour though. I almost think it might have something to do with the turbo but I'm not sure.

[Doc]

I know, I would not think it would take an hour either.

Why would you think turbo? Exhaust gases heat up much faster than after an hour of operation.

BC, I'm not following why you thought hydraulics .... care to expand on that thought?

[bczoom]

Kind of thinking along the same lines you are. Something is bound up until the temp gets up.
Looking at tractor data, it appears to have a large hydraulic system (and hyd tranny?). If the flow or pressure isn't right, it might be a problem.
http://www.tractordata.com/farm-trac...case-1370.html

[Philt]

I just thought that if the turbo was not functioning properly that would explain the loss of power.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by Philt

I just thought that if the turbo was not functioning properly that would explain the loss of power.

But then what makes it work after an hour of running? After that 1st hour can you run the tractor all day with no issues? Interesting problem, I wish I could be of more help.

[Philt]

I ran it for about 4 hours and it worked fine after the first hour.

[Philt]

I just bought this tractor about 2 weeks ago. It had a small fuel leak after the lift pump that I fixed, the previous owner replaced the lift pump and changed fuel filters. I may change the fuel filters again. I'm now thinking that it might have been coincidental that it started working after an hour. I ran it for about 2 hours the other night and it never seemed to gain the power.

[bczoom]

Does this sound anything like your issue?

http://ytforums.ytmag.com/viewtopic.php?t=698261

[Philt]

I'm not sure, I don't know if his transmission is slipping or if the motor bogs down. I would think that his problem wouldn't be bogging down the motor like mine is, but I will do more research.

[Doc]

Originally Posted by Philt

I just bought this tractor about 2 weeks ago. It had a small fuel leak after the lift pump that I fixed, the previous owner replaced the lift pump and changed fuel filters. I may change the fuel filters again. I'm now thinking that it might have been coincidental that it started working after an hour. I ran it for about 2 hours the other night and it never seemed to gain the power.

I think it would be a blessing in disguise if it did it all the time. If that is the case you'll be able to zero in on the problem. I would double check that fuel leak fix and replace the filters. Cheap and easy to start with. Could be the fuel pump too.