Engine just dies

[CarWashJohn]

I have an older Massey Ferguson 65 with a Perkins Engine. The tractor will run for about 2 hours and then just stop as if the fuel was shut off. It will not restart. If it sits for a day or so it will restart and run for another couple of hours and stop again. I have cleaned the fuel tank, the fuel lines, cleaned the fuel bowl on the fuel pump, changed both of the fuel filters. I have done this just after it stopped and it still will not restart. This has been an ongoing problem for a number of years I have just lived with it. I would like to fix it. Any ideas?

 

[miner09]

When it dies will fuel run out of filter going to pump? If so then see if
fuel is coming out of pump going to injectors. I've seen tanks with fuel
that has been contaminated and it's like a jelly(?) and it get in passage
of fuel bowl and stops fuel going to filter-pump.Do you have to bleed air
out of system after it dies each time.I'm assuming it is diesel.If it's
gas then it's your coil. After it cools then it will run.

 

[Chas]

Hi John, I currently have exactly the same problem with an elderly MF25; also a Perkins 4 cylinder engine. Need to bleed the system to get it going again. (Bit of a pain!) Working on the idea that there is a restriction/blockage in the tank fuel strainer that is effectively choking off supply. Seems clean, but flow with the bowl removed is very slow, just a drip. Not yet got around to removing the whole thing, we'll see what I find when I do.
Regards - chas

 

[miner09]

Something else to check for is your fuel cap vented? If it dies again
take cap off and see if it will start back. If not vented it will have a vacuum on tank. Or buy a new cap and be sure.Give us feed back on problem.

 

[DavidP, South Wales]

The fuel tank not venting was my first
thought but Miner beat me to it. Some
ccaps can be taken apart to clean them.
One thing that you probably have not
checked is the strainer in the rear of
the DPA pump. This if partly blocked can
cause some different problems to other
blockages. Remove the rear inlet pipe and
large hexagon union. Inside you will find
a spring with a valve under it the valve
will probably stay in place when you lift
the spring. If your little finger is
small enough you should be able to hook
the filter our. Alternatively use a small
screwdriver but be very careful as it is
very easy to puncture the mesh. You will
soon see if the strainer is blocked.
Clean and refit. Let us know ho you get
on.
DavidP, South Wales