MF 35 troubles

[Lamb]

Hello all. I have a bit of an issue with my old MF35. It has the 3 cyl Perkins. Basically it's a no start. I had it in my head it was a fuel issue, bit after emailing back and forth with a very helpful diesel shop they have me questioning that.

I have cranked it with the injectors out and connected and definitely saw a good pattern out of all 3 injectors, which the shop told me should be enough to get some response from the engine.

It used to try real hard to start and would pop and produce smoke but nothing anymore.

Before I spend money I don't need to, I figured I should be sure what the problem is. But I'm not sure what's next to look at. I understand engines well enough but I'm certainly not mechanic.

I was thinking compression test might be next. I will need to purchase a tester, but would appreciate any recommendations on which kit is best and will have the right adapter.

Also very open to any other ideas to try as well.

Thank you

 

[Dieseltech]

Did you see WHITE exhaust smoke during a cold start attempt? White smoke means fuel is getting into the chambers, but there's not enough heat to ignite the fuel. White smoke can be caused by low cranking speed, incorrect injection pump timing, and/or low engine compression. If tractor has the six speed trans, have you tried with a helper to pull start the tractor using high gear? Pull starting will spin the engine faster than the starter motor will. If tractor has the twelve speed Multi-Power trans like mine has, those can't be pull started.

 

[JLMac]

Are you trying to start it in cold weather, do you have a good battery on it so it is turning over good?

 

[Lamb]

I haven't tried pull starting because it has a loader. Unfortunately this has taken a while to get to since I last attempted to start do to life being too busy, but as I recall it was white smoke, but it's been a couple years

Last attempt was in the summer and it was warm out. When it did run it was always reasonable to start in the winter though.

When it went out it seemed at the time to be a fuel issue to me. It started random stalls at idle and finally wouldn't start at all.

 

[Axtell]

I haven't tried pull starting because it has a loader. Unfortunately this has taken a while to get to since I last attempted to start do to life being too busy, but as I recall it was white smoke, but it's been a couple years

Last attempt was in the summer and it was warm out. When it did run it was always reasonable to start in the winter though.

When it went out it seemed at the time to be a fuel issue to me. It started random stalls at idle and finally wouldn't start at all.

Before our engine rebuild, we would help it get going with ether. After the rebuild I had replaced the starter switch and reconnected the thermocouple wire. This really helped during cold weather starting. The switch has a heat position for the thermocouple just before the start position. I hold it there for a few seconds and then turn it the rest of the way. It fires right up. I was always told low compression and slow cranking really give Diesels a hard time starting. Here is a good video in regard to compression testing. This poster has a wealth of information on various Massey Ferguson tractors.

 

[Axtell]

Some additional information regarding compression testing.

MF-35 Diesel Deluxe compression check

So im still going through and finishing up the re-wiring Thanks to all of the feedback I received from you guys! I have the injectors back also and ready to install those. I wanted to do a compression check before installing the injectors. How is this done with no way of actually screwing in a...

forums.yesterdaystractors.com

 

[Axtell]

One more thing. You can check the fuel valve in the tank. It’s supposed to have a filter on it. During the take down on my 35 mine looked like this. Also the fuel injection pump had marks on it for timing. If it was ever loosened it may be out of time.

 

[FGP]

It sounds to me like the fuel filter is plugged on it. When this happens the engine will just die and you can’t restart it. I would change the filter, bleed the air out of the fuel system per the instructions in the owner’s manual and see if that doesn’t fix the problem. It’s a canister filter located below the battery tray on the left side of the tractor.