Hi Phil, thank you for that.  Thankfully the drain plug should be easy enough to get to in the position that the machine is in to check for water in the transmission (just a case of clearing a bit of scrub and then dig a little bit of wriggle room). But I agree, doing a full oil change would be easier with it up on some heavy block to create more room to work!

Adding that delightful task to my checklist...

 

I believe there are 2 drain plugs one under transmission, second under bevel gear case. Only one fill hole, and very small hole connecting the 2 cases. So transmission dip stick will show over full until it all evens out.

old square timber house stumps work well lay 2 side by side for each track and it gives you that extra 8 to 10 inches of clearance makes life easier.

Ok I'm back up in the bush for round two with the D6.

I brought my truck this time, so I have power for jump-starting and most of my tools.

Got the radiator cap off and found it has (somewhat rusty) water in it which is good. I really didn't want to have to stump up for 50 litres of pre-mix coolant!

Next text was the starter on the pony motor. Good news is that it works. Bad new is that releasing the intermittent switch on the starter doesn't always de-energise the starter.

Also had to pull the starter off and grease the bendix gear as the shafts was sticky and not letting it fly out so wasn't engaging. That's much better now and I can get the starter to run and engage the flywheel and crank the pony motor.

Next step, I checked the plugs and leads. Plugs look fine, cleaned both the leads and the plug ends for better contact. However when I ran the starter with a plug out and grounded on the block, no spark.

So definitely not going to start.

Given that I think the leads and plugs are ok what would members suggest I check next?

Langdon

Hi Langdon,
I would clen the points on the magy it should have an American Bosch on it so just take the cap off, make sure the brushes are ok then pull the rotor off and clean the points as they have most likely tarnished up, put it all back together and it should be ok.
These magys really don't give much trouble


Regards

Was the little switch on????

Ok the switch is on - but looking at the back of it: it's not connected to anything! Certainly not the magneto! (see photo)
 

So that's a problem...

I assume that the switch should connect to the pin with two nuts at the front, top of the magneto? (see photo)
 

Thank you Daryl I'll break it down and do that. It is a Bosch.

I think there might be a larger problem though with the switch!

Langdon

Ok if wasn't connected then it wouldn't cut out the mag.

Hi, LangdonStevenson.
If the switch is not connected to anything, I doubt that would be your problem. My understanding is that the switch earths the magneto when in the OFF position to divert current from the points and plugs. If it's not connected to anything, it cain't earth anything.

Just my 0.02.