MF35 with worn 23C

[OzMF35]

I recently purchased an MF35 with the 23C Standard Diesel. Its in reasonably good condition overall, but when it warms up its blowing steady stream of smoke from the crank breather tube. I'm guessing worn rings/liners? I opened up the oil bath air cleaner to clean it out and it was bone dry and clogged almost completely with grass seeds and crud! I'm thinking that probably hasn't helped.

Besides the heavy breathing from the crank breather it starts and runs quite well and doesn't appear to be blowing excessive smoke form the exhaust or going through much oil.

I plan to rebuild the engine at some point soon but need to get a few more hours work out of it first. Is there much I can do to help the old girl out for the moment? I was thinking of adding a slightly heavier weight oil and maybe trying Lucas oil Stabilizer?
 

[Tony in Mass.]

Please start your overhaul soon... my completely rebuilt one needs a freind.. misery loves company??


 

[OzMF35]

Holy crap.. Luckily mine isn't that bad!

Yep rebuild is on the cards, but hard to justify right now after I just purchased it.
 

[Masseynut(Australia)]

My eyes are stinging and I can't find my breath just looking at Tony's pics! It's definitely a good example of a "well worn and worn well" engine. Luckily yours sounds like it has only worn compression rings, allowing the combustion gases down into the sump. The oil control rings must still be doing their job, or else it would it would be causing "global warming" like Tony's Rolls Royce!!
I'm not big on additives in the oil, as nothing substitutes an engine in good condition, and nothing "in a can" can replace worn engine parts.
So I would suggest running it on, say a 20w50 oil and keeping your fingers crossed. You may get a slight decrease in oil consumption and the engine should go for many more years, as long as it's not worked hard, or driven "like you hate it". These old English engines are very forgiving animals, as Tony's proves right here.
When your ready to rebuild, post a message and I'll give you details on how to make your 23C engine, notorious for having a reputation as a "bad" starter, fire up like a 3 cylinder Perk,
good luck,
Evan.
 

[Phil Tibbetts]

Hey Toni can you run that up to Maine this spring for mosquito season?
 

[VTParts]

I know a guy who has an original MF Piston and Liner kit for your engine.
 

[Flmoore]

Your friend still have liner kit? I'm interested.
 

[VTParts]

I will give him a call and see.
802-782-2409
vermontventuresllc@gmail.com
 

[Tony in Mass.]

Boy have I got a deal for you..... see you in April!
 

[OzMF35]

Thanks Masseynut. I'm an Aussie as well - down Vic - West Gippsland way. Yeah I realise there's nothing in a can that will fix it but am hoping to stretch it out a little longer before the inevitable.

I put some fresh 20w50 oil in it and a bottle of the Lucas oil stabiliser and will see how it goes. I slashed a few acres with it today and think the blow by was a little less obvious - but still excessive of course.

I'll probably try and rebuild it at some stage in the next 12mths so will be sure to get in touch when I do. I'm hoping to do some hay cutting and baling with it eventually. In the meantime the tin work may get a fresh coat of red.


 

[Masseynut(Australia)]

They are a great tractor, and apart from very, very few "built in" problems, this tractor will still be going when you and I are both gone!
keep in touch,
Evan
 

[OzMF35]

Hey Masseynut, appears I cant pm you for some reason?

I'm about to paint the tin work on my 35, wanted to ask if you know anything about paint for these things? I can get the Bare-co tractor and implement enamel from my local dealer in MF Red and was wondering if its ok? Its a functional tractor - not a show pony, but I want to do a reasonable job.