MF 285 - Head Gasket? / Oil Leak

[BoydH]

I bought a MF 285 last month. It was clean (no sign of oil leak), ran good and the hour meter only showed 180 hours (I question the accuracy). I put about 25 hours on it and there is a moderate to heavy oil leak. I ran some searches and discovered that this tractor had head gasket issues. Is it likely that the leak is a symptom of a head gasket problem?

The tractor starts right up and runs good.

Please offer any recommendations on what I need to do.

Thanks in advance!

 

[John Deere D]

I would verify if / is the ROCKER COVER GASKET leaking???
I had this same sign and symptoms on a MF 35..Perkins Diesel..

 

[Jim.ME]

Welcome to the forums.

My first step would be to give it good bath and let it dry out. The with it clean, you may be able to tell where the real leak is and what for a fluid is leaking. Right now, it looks like it could have several leaking points.

Do not spray cold water on a hot injection pump.

 

[BoydH]

I would verify if / is the ROCKER COVER GASKET leaking???
I had this same sign and symptoms on a MF 35..Perkins Diesel..

That would certainly be the preferred source. The oil does seem to be coming from up high. I will check it out. Thanks.

 

[BoydH]

Welcome to the forums.

My first step would be to give it good bath and let it dry out. The with it clean, you may be able to tell where the real leak is and what for a fluid is leaking. Right now, it looks like it could have several leaking points.

Do not spray cold water on a hot injection pump.

I will do that and see if I can identify the specific source or sources around the engine. There was a power steering fluid leak, but a hose replacement solved that. I have been surprised at how leaky the tractor is. It must of had a good cleaning just prior to purchase as I did not see any signs of leaking when I test drove it.

Pics of other leaks attached ... All showed up in 25 hrs of operation. Any of these a cause for concern?

 

[Jim.ME]

I will do that and see if I can identify the specific source or sources around the engine. There was a power steering fluid leak, but a hose replacement solved that. I have been surprised at how leaky the tractor is. It must of had a good cleaning just prior to purchase as I did not see any signs of leaking when I test drove it.

Pics of other leaks attached ... All showed up in 25 hrs of operation. Any of these a cause for concern?

It is great to have a perfectly dry tractor. Most of what I see in your pictures is dust collection from minor seeping. It takes very little oil to catch and hold dust. To me a leak to be most concerned about is one that leaves a trail from it and might have a droplet hanging at the low point of the trail. Clean it and start with the ones you can spot trails from soon after a cleaning.

 

[BoydH]

It is great to have a perfectly dry tractor. Most of what I see in your pictures is dust collection from minor seeping. It takes very little oil to catch and hold dust. To me a leak to be most concerned about is one that leaves a trail from it and might have a droplet hanging at the low point of the trail. Clean it and start with the ones you can spot trails from soon after a cleaning.

Will do, thanks.

 

[marloweg]

I bought a MF 285 last month. It was clean (no sign of oil leak), ran good and the hour meter only showed 180 hours (I question the accuracy). I put about 25 hours on it and there is a moderate to heavy oil leak. I ran some searches and discovered that this tractor had head gasket issues. Is it likely that the leak is a symptom of a head gasket problem?

The tractor starts right up and runs good.

Please offer any recommendations on what I need to do.

Thanks in advance!

every photo is just kind of normal for a tractor that age. 180 hr. no way. it is a old tractor and you will have some oil seepage in spots your oil leak on the head more the likely valve cover gasket

 

[BoydH]

every photo is just kind of normal for a tractor that age. 180 hr. no way. it is a old tractor and you will have some oil seepage in spots your oil leak on the head more the likely valve cover gasket

Thanks. Hope that is the problem. I will dig in a little deeper next time I am out there.

I am skeptical of the 180 hours as well. The tach / hour gauge looks slightly less aged than the other gauges. What should be the fractional hours dial is a blank / black dial that does not move. Is this standard for the MF 285 or is it an after market gauge?

 

[MF#1]

When compared to the gage beside it I would say it's aftermarket.

 

[[email protected]]

That tach had been changed out at some point. The face does not appear as the originals were. The original had white lines at the 540 and 1000 pto speeds. The one attached is an original.

 

[BoydH]

Thanks!

 

[BoydH]

When compared to the gage beside it I would say it's aftermarket.

Thanks!

 

[Chrisoregon]

I bought a MF 285 last month. It was clean (no sign of oil leak), ran good and the hour meter only showed 180 hours (I question the accuracy). I put about 25 hours on it and there is a moderate to heavy oil leak. I ran some searches and discovered that this tractor had head gasket issues. Is it likely that the leak is a symptom of a head gasket problem?

The tractor starts right up and runs good.

Please offer any recommendations on what I need to do.

Thanks in advance!

BoydH
I had a oil leak in the same area. It ended up being the tach drive seal. You may want to check that Chris

 

[BoydH]

BoydH
I had a oil leak in the same area. It ended up being the tach drive seal. You may want to check that Chris

Since it appears the tach has been replaced, that is a good place to look. Thanks!