Massey Ferguson 180

I have a MF 180. It has been in and out of the shop for the past few years. The most current problem is that it is overfilling the engine compartment with oil. I have talked to two seperate service shops. One thinks it is puching its power steering oil into the engine. This makes sence due to the fact that wass the last thing I had worked on. The other guy thinks there is a steal line off of the Multi power that is broke. It is filling up the dry cavity and then pushing hydrolic oil into the engine. This was my Grandfathers tractor. he bought it new but I am at my wits end with this thing. Has anyone ran into this before? Any Ideas on what else it could be??

Trans oil, no. PS oil, yes but do you have to add often, it does not hold much. Are you sure it is not diesel fuel? A bad fuel supply pump can leak into oil. Can also be injection pump drive hub seal, I see this on most pumps I repair. If oil appears thin, I would suspect fuel in oil.

Hi Jeff,
Whilst the 180 is not a model available in the UK or Europe I think its necessary to clarify several things.
Taking your message in stages; 'overfilling the engine compartment with oil'. Are we talking about the sump (oil pan) here? If the engine is filling with oil and assuming the correct amount has been filled there are 3 usual possibilities.
The fuel lift pump (assuming its a diesel) is the most likely cause. The diaphragms perish with time and allow diesel into the oil.
Secondly the seal in the main fuel pump can be leaking fuel into the engine oil as it has gone hard with age and wear.
Thirdly and a strong possibility is the power steering pump. Again the seal can go hard and/or split allowing steering oil into the engine. You do not mention that you have to keep topping up the steering oil.

If there is oil entering the clutch housing this can come from the seals on the shafts which enter the gearbox or indeed a loose or cracked Multi-Power pipe in the clutch housing. It could also come from the MP spool assembly but this is rare.

You mention 'filling up the dry cavity and then pushing hydraulic oil into the engine'. The chances of oil being forced into the engine are remote. It would have to be forced past the rear crank seal. Any oil present in the clutch housing should drain through the split pin in the bottom of the housing. Make sure that the split pin is in place and free. If necessary remove the inspection plate from under the housing. Reach in and clear any debris around the split pin head.

If any significant quantity of oil was entering the clutch housing you would soon see the clutch slipping through contamination. You will also see oil leaking that has been thrown into the starter motor or at least dampness around the starter.

Whilst the inspection cover is removed use a flashlight to inspect the clutch assembly for any signs of oil. If it should be a MP pipe you should be able to see any leak using the flashlight. KEEP YOUR HANDS CLEAR OF THE APERTURE.

Please come back with a little more specific information.
DavidP, South Wales

Thank you so much for the detailed reply. I have to apoligize. The tractor has not ran for 6 to 8 months due to this problem. So I am just now getting back to it and I am working off of memory. This is what I remeber. all oil levels are full. After operating the tractor started pushing oil out of the dipstick. there was also oil coming out by the starter.

on an urelated note to the above prblems. Have you ever had issues with water getting into the Hydrolic system after a rain?

Hi again Jeff,
On other 100 Series tractors the normal source of water getting into the oil is perished gear lever boots. I believe that on the 180 you have an instrument panel mounted gear change. Follow the linkage down to the point where it enters the transmission. There may be boots there that have perished.
My European MF parts books don't show a 180 so I can't be any more specific.
Cheers
DavidP

My 175 was leaking power steering fluid into the engine, but I only noticed that because it ran out of power steering fluid and I couldn't find a leak. It only over filled the engine a little over the fill line. It would take a bunch of power steering fill ips to do what you say it's doing.

I also think that it is fuel in your oil. When I have had lift pumps and injection pumps start leaking into the crank case I could neither smell fuel in the oil nor notice a dramatic difference in viscosity. I just could see the oil level going up, up, up.

JP.

You could get the engine oil tested at a diesel repair shop. They will tell you exactly what is in your oil, but it will likely cost about $100.
My guess is the fuel pump, unless you are filling up the power steering every five minutes.