MF glow plugs

[Jimbo44]

(Reposted from wrong discussion board)
Hi everyone, I m new here. I recently "inherited" a MF 35 tractor. It s a great tractor, but doesn t start if it s cold outside. I ve been doing a little research and decided to post here, hoping someone can help me. I m hoping there is an EASY way to install a glow plug so it will start in cold weather. I noticed that the the keyed ignition can turn counterclockwise but it doesn t do anything. Turning clockwise cranks the engine. Looks like a few people have messed around with the wiring over the years, there s a few that don t go anywhere, and maybe someone removed the original preheat system. I m not a mechanic, and I don t know much at all about old tractors, but I d like to learn more and I m mechanically inclined so if anyone can help out that would be great. I took a few pics. I m really hoping to find an easy way to install a glow plug and switch and get this thing running!

 

[fixerupper]

I posted this on T talk but will post here too. The can with the two hoses coming out of it in front of the injection pump is the coolant heater or more commonly called a tank heater. The two pins coming out of the tank heater are where the pigtail plugs into it. The pigtail will have a female plug with two round holes to plug onto those two pins and a regular flat blade plug on the other end. The pigtail might be missing because it was lost when the tractor was painted or robbed to use on another tank heater or maybe this tank heater does not work anymore. I do not know where you can get a pigtail new. Someone else can fill you out on where to find one.

 

[DavidP, South Wales]

Hi, if you are having problems starting
in anything but the coldest weather there
are several things to check first. Ensure
that the battery and starter performance
are good and that all connections are
sound. Your compressions may be down
perhaps to wear and tear. Make sure that
the fuel system is in good order,
particularly the injectors. If all is in
order you can check to see if it is
possible to fit a thermostart (note
spelling). Check the key switch for a
heat position. A new Off/'ign'/heat/start
switch might be needed. Check the upper
rear face of the fuel tank for a tapping
to connect the pipe whick returns fuel
from the reservoir. You will need the
reservoir which attaches to one of the
rear tank bolts. You will several pipes
to connect to the injector drain curcuit.
Lastly you will need a thermostart and
the fused wiring to it. This should fit
directly where the plug is fitted to the
inlet manifold. Do not be tempted to make
a DIY system as there is a real
possibility that fuel could leak into the
inlet manifold when left overnight for
example. It is possible that if there is
fuel on top of one of the pistons that
the engine could "hydraulic" when you try
to start it. The result......a bent
conrod to start.
DavidP, South Wales

 

[MF#1]

You can also replace this "freeze plug" with a heater element and pigtail. That engine is one of the easiest starting engines when below freezing. When feeding and below 25 F I would plug mine in for about 20 minutes and it would start quickly. OR, find a pigtail for the one you have. Might check AGCO parts site and see if one is listed for the 35, if not check the 135. Mine came from the dealer with one when new.

 

[John Deere D]

Check to verify what your tractor is missing as in parts?

 

[fixerupper]

A simple way to get the heater working or to see if it works is to crimp an insulated #10 butt splice onto each bare wire of your home made pigtail. If the pigtail is #14 ga wire you should fold the bare end of wire to double it's thickness so the butt splice will crimp tight. Crimp the splice on but leave the other end of the splice open. The open end of the splice should push down over the prongs. If the butt splice is a little small you can spread it just a bit. That way you have an insulated plug in. If the heater works you really should get the proper pig tail for it though some people leave it rigged up. This rigged up connection might not make a good connection and get hot. More than one machine shed has been burned down from a hot and burning plug in heater cord.

 

[Jim.ME]

Given your engine already has a coolant heater on it, I would just replace that heater. Drain the coolant, unhook the hoses and mount a new one, replace the hose while your at it if they feel soft. I wouldn't mess with trying to find a cord as I expect they will want 1/3 to 1/2 the price of a new heater for the cord, if you find one. NAPA, TSC, or other parts store, should have one like it in the 500 to 1000 watt range. I would say 1 hour with a 750 watt heater will be all you need, maybe a bit longer at -20. I think warming the engine coolant is a easier on the engine than the thermostart system or glow plugs, definitely better than starting fluid. A couple examples are: Kats 13080 is 850 watts and Kats 13100 is 1000 watts. Both can be gotten for $50. or less in most places. JMHO