Old Massey Ferguson needs ether every time to start

I am looking at buying an old MF 135 Perkins diesel, but the guy says it has to be started every time with a small squirt of ether. Don’t matter if it’s been running all day or starting at first thing in the morning. It will not start without a small squirt of ether.
So what’s your thoughts could be ring could be a weak starter weak injector pump.
Should I stay away from this tractor
 
These perkins engines should be very easily started. Ether every time indicates something is seriously wrong. Most probably needs overhaul which could easily exceed price of tractor, but if you get it really cheap and would be able to do it more or less yourself buying could be feasible.
I would stay away.
 
It probably needs some work. These engines are easy to start even at cold temps. If you can get it cheap you have a fun rebuild project. You'll still be out thousands though. New injection pump rebuild, new clutch, rear main, trans input shaft seals, injector rebuild, possibly in frame but may need a total overhaul.

Plenty of resources online, Bundy's bear shed as a YouTube series that turns almost every bolt on the 135.

If you have some mechanical ability and it's cheap it might work out. All the 135 diesels around me are listed on Facebook for around $3000 USD and not selling. The ones that have new tires, injection pumps, rebuilds are listing for $4000-5000. Nothing lik past times when tractors were scare and prices were high.
 
Question, How does it start after a Ten minute shutdown with a HOT engine? If it still won't start on it's own then that's a sign the injection pump Hydraulic Head is shot, due to poor fuel filter maintenance.
 

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