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Starting a MF35 4 cyl.Diesel,

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Mathew, Finland

08-21-2001 02:22:38




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"I have A Mf-35 deluxe 1959 with the four cylinder diesel 'Standard' engine, it
has been difficult to start ever since I bought it, the one and only glow
plug seems to be functioning, there is diesel to the cylinders, the starter
motor is reconditioned,the head has been reconditioned. The only way to get it running is to preheat the engine or add boiling water into the cooler. Any suggestions what to do in order to start it easier ?"

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Joe Perry

03-23-2003 07:20:48




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 Re: Starting a MF35 4 cyl.Diesel, in reply to Mathew, Finland, 08-21-2001 02:22:38  
Mat , do you mean spraying Wd 40 in the air cleaner ? Joe



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matt jones

08-22-2001 18:03:49




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 Re: Starting a MF35 4 cyl.Diesel, in reply to Mathew, Finland, 08-21-2001 02:22:38  
Hey i have the same year 23c standard diesel. I just rebuilt it a while back. They are hard to start. I wouldn't use ether to crank her over hard on the engine and the rings. Make sure the heater element in the intake is working, that sould help the most, also can install a lower radiator heater for cold days just plug it in a couple hrs before you start. Get a strong battery and starter. P.S if ya have to use ether i would try WD-40 instead suppose to work as good and not as hard on the rings.

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Craig in NZ

08-23-2001 21:13:18




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 Re: Re: Starting a MF35 4 cyl.Diesel, in reply to matt jones, 08-22-2001 18:03:49  
WD-40.... well I've never heard of that but it sounds like it could be a good idea. Has anybody else tried it?



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Brian

08-24-2001 02:24:33




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 Re: Re: Re: Starting a MF35 4 cyl.Diesel, in reply to Craig in NZ, 08-23-2001 21:13:18  
Used to use "Duck Oil" on minibuses with starting problems, worked every time, WD40 came a close second. Regards, Brian.



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Ralph

08-21-2001 17:26:18




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 Re: Starting a MF35 4 cyl.Diesel, in reply to Mathew, Finland, 08-21-2001 02:22:38  
One problem with these engines was the pre-combustion chamber. They also had a small bore. The engine had almost the same displacement as the 3 cylinder engine. This smaller bore resulted in a lower air temperature on the compression stroke. There wasn't enough air in the cylinder on compression stroke to obtain a temperature that would ignite the diesel fuel when the fuel was injected into the cylinder. The 3 cylinder engines had about 30% more air per cylinder to compress which resulted in a higher temperture to ignite the injected fuel.
One trick I learned over the years with engines with small bores was to take a clean cloth shop towel and lay the cloth on a flat surface. I would spray starting fluid in the center of the cloth and quickly fold the cloth into several layers if possible. I would place the folded cloth at the air cleaner and start the engine. The starting fluid will enter the air cleaner in a matter that you can hardly notice that starting fluid was used. If you need more starting fluid, just unfold the cloth, you can squezze the cloth also to obtain more starting fluid. With this method, you will never get the knock you hear when starting fluid is sprayed directly into the air cleaner. This method will work on any diesel engine that requries starting fluid. try it!!!!!

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Mathew, Finland

08-21-2001 23:16:21




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 Re: Re: Starting a MF35 4 cyl.Diesel, in reply to Ralph, 08-21-2001 17:26:18  

Thanks for good hints! I will try them.

best regards,

Mathew



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Craig in NZ

08-21-2001 19:48:16




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 Re: Re: Starting a MF35 4 cyl.Diesel, in reply to Ralph, 08-21-2001 17:26:18  
Hey Ralph,
What is that knock you hear when starting fluid (ether) is sprayed directly into the air cleaner??, and secondly I assume you leave the cap on the air cleaner to ensure the cloth doesn't disappear into the engine?.

Cheers Craig



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Ralph

08-22-2001 14:17:35




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 Re: Re: Re: Starting a MF35 4 cyl.Diesel, in reply to Craig in NZ, 08-21-2001 19:48:16  
The knock is a result of the ether (starting fluid)igniting before the piston reaches the end of the stroke. Ether is mixed with the air and as the air is compressed on compression stroke, the ether, which requires a low temperature to ignite, ignites to soon causing the piston to force downward. That is why is so important to limit the amount of ether. I have seen engines that have been started with ether year round for 20 years using the method I mention and to my knowledge none have failed as the result of ether. I have seen owners after using this method keep the cloth in a clean container. They did not have to spray ether each time in the cloth. For the question regarding the air cleaner cover (cap), do not remove any portion of the air cleaner, just position the cloth where the air enters the air cleaner. The ether will be pulled from the cloth and mix with the air as it enters the air cleaner. Good luck!!!!!

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Craig in NZ

08-21-2001 15:18:55




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 Re: Starting a MF35 4 cyl.Diesel, in reply to Mathew, Finland, 08-21-2001 02:22:38  
Hi Matthew - I know just what your talking about..have a read of my posting on the next page titled 'Diesel FE-35 vs Petrol MF-35'...
Regards



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Doug in NB Canada

12-23-2001 00:26:03




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 Re: Re: Starting a MF35 4 cyl.Diesel, in reply to Craig in NZ, 08-21-2001 15:18:55  
I owned a MF35 4 cyl diesel about 20 years ago.My solution to it not starting (it had to be towed sometimes)was to SELL it and bought a gas Massey Ferguson (actually a To-35). I rebuilt the engine-including new sleeves and everything. I've had it now for 20 years and its been a great tractor. It has a loader,trip bucket and snow plow as well as a ground plough and a rear mounted scraper blade.Its been painted twice. I installed a General Motors self contained alternator for brighter lights when plowing snow at night. Been a great tractor!
No 2
My grandfather bought a brand new 4 cylinder 35 diesel in about 1959.He towed it up and down the driveway all winter and it wouldnt start good at all. The next spring he traded it for a gas 35 and was very satisfied with the starting.

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