MF35 Diesel Not Starting after filter replacement

Jim Gorter · May 26, 2015

I have a friend that has a MF 35 with the Perkins 3 cylinder diesel engine. He changed the filters and cleaned the fuel tank and now cannot get fuel to the injectors to bleed. He mentioned that he has fuel to the pump but not beyond that point. Any suggestions as to bleeding the pump to get the fuel system primed? Thanks, Jim.

Dieseltech · May 26, 2015

Did it run before, or has it set awhile since last running? Injection pump may have internal parts stuck causing no fuel delivery to the injectors. Just repaired a 165 pump for the same trouble that had bio fuel in it, after setting awhile nothing would work inside..

Dieseltech · May 26, 2015

Also make sure if NAPA/Wix filters are used that the top filter outer groove does not have an O ring in it, common mistake with these filters. That groove is filter inlet, have made several service calls in years past to correct this boo-boo.

Jack in NB · May 26, 2015

Jim -

There are a couple of bleeder screws with 5/16" heads on the side of the injector pump. Has he tried loosening one or the other of those, then priming by toggling the lever on the bottom of the fuel pump?

I forget whether you're supposed to loosen the bottom screw or the top screw first; in any case priming is needed until clear fuel (no air bubbles) comes out both bleeder holes.It will take a while, because you have to fill the filters before the fuel gets to the pump. And if the lever feels like it's only pumping a little bit, I turn the engine over a half rev or so to realign the fuel pump on the camshaft and give the lever a longer operating stroke.

At that point I crack the fuel line nuts (not the overflow lines) on a couple of the injectors, and with the shutoff in run position and full throttle, I crank until fuel squirts out around one of the injectors. Tighten nuts firmly, close throttle, and the thing usually starts, stumbling a bit until the air gets cleaned out of the injector feed lines.

Tony in Mass. · May 26, 2015

Although I am usually burned at the stake for saying it, ether, starting fluid or carb cleaner will get it churning enough to hopefully get the bubble out. Best to triple check the fuel shut off valve is twisting end to end properly first. The more you mess with the fuel line fittings, the more likely you will loosen the 'olives'??? Then you got a fine kettle of fish...

Bob in Australia · May 27, 2015

I will almost bet on air in the fuel system. My 35 with 3 cyl Perkins is difficult to bleed. Check the lift pump on the right side of the tractor. Make sure the tank is full of fuel. Bleed it from the filters then the injector pump. It often needs all injector lines loosend to get all the air out.

I made up a fuel tank cap with tyre valve in it to put a SMALL amount of air pressure in the tank. That helps a lot when bleeding the fuel system.

Jim Gorter · May 27, 2015

Gentlemen, Thanks for all the replies. I will forward on to the owner. I believe the tank was off and cleaned within a weeks time so not sure if there will be problems internally in the pump. He will probably do the easy things first, just like I would. Thanks again, Jim.

Gu edham · May 31, 2015

First a shout out to Jim and the extra effort he made. Thanks so much. Here is a recap of my tractor. It always started and ran the second I turned the key. Only when I decided to service it with new filters and fluids that the trouble started.I cleaned the tank too. After that it only started when the forward most injector was cracked open. Now after it has sat a few years It wont start. I can get fuel to the lower bleed screw of the injector pump by pumping the fuel pump by hand and less fuel from the top bleed on the injector pump. Thanks to Jim I know now the injector pump top bleed screw should be bled first and then the lower bleed screw. I was doing it backwards. I cant wait to try all the suggestions to make it run. I need to get the air out for sure. Thanks to all that responded .. I am very grateful.. Sadly I cant do anything now , the tractor is stored in the next county. For those interested I will post the results of my future attempts to start the engine.

MF35 Diesel Not Starting after filter replacement

Jim Gorter

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Dieseltech

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Dieseltech

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Jack in NB

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Tony in Mass.

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Bob in Australia

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Jim Gorter

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Gu edham

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