MF 255 won't start

[Joe Snodgrass]

Cannot get my MF 255 to start. Put it in the shed and it ran fine. Went out a few days later and it turns over but will not fire. I have used ether and it acted like it wanted to start but would not go. I have tried to prime it and I did get fuel to come out of the vent on top of the fuel filter but I cannot get it to come out of the vents on the injector pump. As soon as I close the vent on top of the fuel filter I loose resistance on the lift pump and it feels like I am not pumping anything. I also bumped the starter to advance the cam as the service manual suggests and it did not help. I have followed the service manual directions. Is the lift pump bad???? I have primed this tractor before and never had a problem getting it primed. Anyone got any suggestions out there? It is cold here in Indiana but it has not been that cold in the past couple of days that it normally wouldn"t have started. I also have the block heater plugged in. Any help anyone could afford would be greatly appreciated. Joe

 

[Anonymous-0]

Don't use the ether if you're not getting fuel to the pump. If your not getting fuel to the injection pump with the the bleed screws out, it could be the lift pump. The cold weather can make them harder to prime enough to start too. Dave

 

[DavidP, South Wales]

Hi,
Is the fuel that you are using suitable for the current temperatures that you have. It appears to be a case of 'frozen' diesel. Have you checked the fuel supply from the tank? There should be a filter on top of the tap. This may have already been partly blocked and 'cold' diesel added to it. Ensure that this is completely clear and then work down the line. Disconnect the outlet from the lift pump and operate manually. If you have a glass bowl type there should be a gauze strainer above the glass. This could be restricted. If necessary empty the filter/s and pump fresh fuel through.
If you have fuel coming through both bleed screws on the pump then the system is clear. Slacked one or better two injector pipe nuts and turn the engine over until fuel delivery is visible. Turn the engine over and hopefully it will start. I know that ether may be needed in some circumstances but generally I would never use it......especially on an MF.
DavidP

 

[Joe Snodgrass]

THANKS TO BOTH OF YOU. IT IS NOW SO OLD HERE (10 ABOVE) I'M NOT MESSING WITH IT UNTIL IT WARMS BACK UP. WILL LET YOU KNOW WHAT HAPPENS.

THANKS AGAIN..........

 

[Anonymous-0]

THE CHECK VALVE IN LIFT PUMP IS BAD REPLACE THE LIFT PUMP AND PRIME AS YOU NORMALLY DO

 

[Joe Snodgrass]

Thanks Jack. I'm going to do that. Merry CHRISTMAS to all!!