MF 205 not stayig running

offalot · May 5, 2012

Hello, Newb here but at my witz end on this thing and trying to find some experts. As the title says I have a MF 205. The other day I got on her and started it right up, I took a couple passes around the yard with the mower and the she abruptly died. First thought of course was fuel starvation. It had no problem streaming fuel from tank to filter and the bleeder screw on the pump was dripping pretty healthily. Long story short. In the last 4 days I have done everything from the tank to the pump:blew all the lines out, replaced filter drained and replaced all the fuel, blew out the hard lines to the injectors, ran sea foam. Now it seams that every time I do something significant like that I start it up and it runs for a minute or so before it dies, which makes me think the pump or injectors aren't bad. Does anyone have any clue as to what is going on here?
My lawn in the meantime looks like a jungle.

Mike tn · May 5, 2012

Just went through a very simi;ar problem with a 150. My near new fuel pump went dead. Try loosening the fuel line that feeds the injection pump. I you ate not getting fuel to it then verify that the fuel pump is getting fuel fum the tank. If fuel does get to the input port on the fuel lift pump but not get to the injection pump the duel lift pump is bad.

If fuel is getting to the injection pump have it tested.

offalot · May 5, 2012

(quoted from post at 09:20:53 05/05/12) Just went through a very simi;ar problem with a 150. My near new fuel pump went dead. Try loosening the fuel line that feeds the injection pump. I you ate not getting fuel to it then verify that the fuel pump is getting fuel fum the tank. If fuel does get to the input port on the fuel lift pump but not get to the injection pump the duel lift pump is bad.

If fuel is getting to the injection pump have it tested.

This model is a gravity feed. There is a banjo fittig from the main line that connects to the inj pump, I opened that up and fuel spilled out just fine.
Man I hope it isn't a pump.

Mike tn · May 5, 2012

Yes - I understand it is a gravity feed. You need to isolate the problem. Once again make sure that fuel is reaching the fuel lift pump. Loosen the fuel line from the fuel filter to the fuel lift pump and make sure that fuel is reaching it (fuel lift pumps are inexpensive). The fuel lift pump is to the right of the fuel filter and has two lines connected.

If fuel is getting to the fuel lift pump and not reachig the injection pump e out of the fuel lift to the injection pump the fuel lift pump is faulty.

Dieseltech · May 5, 2012

MF had several model 205s, a combine, industrial tractor and a compact tractor from Japan made by Toyosha, has 2 cyl diesel engine. I have one too and am guessing that is what you have as there is no feed pump on this model, all gravity through filter to injection pump. Has oil been changed in pump cambox, may have bearing or governor damage. Does it smoke heavy when it dies or is exhaust clear. Best way to check fuel flow, remove inlet line to pump, place in a gallon jug, should fill at a steady flow without slowing down. Have seen capplugs etc. floating around in tanks before that will sometimes cover outlet, then float around and work OK for awhile. Fill the jug completely to make sure it doesn't flow good for 1 pint and it MAY look OK. I use my 205 with a homemade 2 bottom plow for garden tractor plow days, has been a good running tractor. Hope injection pump does not need to come off, will need a front split and timing cover removed to remove pump drive gear, no access plate on timing cover.

Mike tn · May 5, 2012

offalot - just so we are on the sane page....

There should be a screen filter over the tap inside the tank. It could be partially blocked which explains the reason for loosening the fuel line from tank to fuel pump.

The fuel line from fuel filter to injection pump will tell you if the lift pump is working (it is likely your problem). If the lift pump is functioning the is another screen filter in the injection pump under the input line..

offalot · May 5, 2012

Mike, I think dieseltech pegged it. I have the japanese compact style. No lift pump at all.
Well I just went and srained the tank via the last connection at the pump , it drained for several minutes flowing well the whole time. Which leaves the pump

While I was doing all this I figured I would top off the oil i the pump and it took a healthy amount so it may have been low. The previous owner told me there is a leak or something that this has to be topped off every few uses. So what could I be looking at if this ran dry or close to it?
Also what getsme though, if the pump is damaged, why does it start up and run fine for a little bit every now and again?
Also I can't report the smoking situation yet, I'll let you know next time she decides to pop off.
Thanks for the help guys.

Dieseltech · May 5, 2012

The reason I asked about exhaust smoke when it dies injection pump may be OK, but some other cause may be overloading engine and killing it. Is coolant level OK, if low can die when it is overheated. Has hydraulic system been working OK, had a Case 680 backhoe that would die when starting, owner found later that junior had been playing with hydraulic levers, just as engine started hydraulic load kicked in and stalled engine before it had a chance to get any speed up. Am really hoping it is not the injection pump, that model does not give much trouble anyway if filter is taken care of. Did have one last summer from an AC with Toyosha 2 cyl that needed new plungers, old were worn from dirt in fuel.

offalot · May 7, 2012

I messed with it a little yesterday. It was a pretty busy day otherwise. I could not get it to start. Tried purging the lines again at the injectors also went over everything else,: fluid levels pto engage, hydraulics etc. and the thing would just not start. At this point I am pretty convinced it is the pump but again it is just wierd to me that it ran fine and suddenly died then ran fine a couple times. I would think a failing pump would cause it to run poorly.
Well so if no other possibilities come up, on to the next step. Buy replacement or rebuild? Where would I go for either?

offalot · May 9, 2012

Last ditch effort before I take this pump off. Is there anything beside the main fuel shut off lever under the dash ie. safety swiches/cutoffs that might kill the fuel on this that may be shutting her down. Or any reason the cutoff can be malfunctioning internally? I'm trying to cover everything before getting into the worst.

offalot · May 24, 2012

I'm ready to shoot this thing.
After coming to terms it is probably the injection pump. I tore into the motor and removed the pump and had it sent out. A week and a half and almost $500 later I got it back and put it back on. Hoping I could jump on it and start it back up and take care of the jungle that now consumes my house I was sadly (madly) disappointing. It will start up, smoke like crazy and die off. I took a video of it to help out so i don't have to explain every detail : http://youtu.be/ZHBnkxbRgGs
Now I'm thinking maybe injectors, but I can't afford to just keep throwing money at this thing.

Oh and worth mentioning. Before all this I put some seafoam in the fuel filter to try and clean stuff out. I figured maybe this would have something to do with all the smoking and not liking to run so i dunped the filter and drained all the feed lines and repurged with fresh fuel.then started it up probably 30+ times like in the video to try and get the good stuff through. Needless to say I was a little loopy by the end of the night from all the fumes.

Skaning · May 28, 2012

A couple of things come to mind. I have the same tractor except a 4x4 and its a Hinomoto. Grey Market.

First, and I don't mean to be insulting, after you reinstalled the pump did you go through
the timing procedure? Your tractor sounds like its only firing on one cylinder.

White smoke is curious and makes me think coolant. These engines do have a history of head gasket problems. I would pull the injectors and check compression just for kicks.

I went through a fire drill with mine when it would leak coolant into the crankcase when sitting still. Dealer supposedly changed gasket and still no help. Short story, I finally pulled the head and had it skim cut after three machine shops told me it was OK. I finally said ok, it's my money, just do a skim cut, .001 or .002. Get a call back three days later to pick it up and got a very sheepish "you were right", low spot in the web area between cylinders. No issues since and I have not treated this tractor all that kindly. Yours looks pristine by comparison

offalot · May 28, 2012

No insult taken as far as the timing, As even though I was sure to mark it and installed the pump exactly the same way I am questioning thetiming just for sheer lack of anyhting else it could be. I will check the compression. Been meaning to. I also disassembled, thoroughly cleaned and inspected (eyeball) the injectors and flushed the fuel system yet again. When checked the coolant before I tore into the motor to get the pump it was up to level, no oil in it and the motor oil is nice and black, but I'll let the compression test be the true story.

Skaning · Jun 5, 2012

Just wondering if you have made any further progress on your 205.

offalot · Jun 6, 2012

(quoted from post at 18:03:52 06/05/12) Just wondering if you have made any further progress on your 205.

No, not really

I called the place that rebuilt the pump and from the symtoms, he told me it was the pump timing so I messed with that a bit. I actually got it to sit and idle but it still smoked like crazy and any time I out a load on it it even at full throttle, it would bog way down. I ordered new injector nozzles and they should be here today or tomorrow.
For kicks and giggles i put in some bosch mercedes injectors I had to see what it would do, it actually started up and seemed to idle smoother but still the other issues were present.
I should take a picture of my backyard at this point. Not looking good.

offalot · Jun 13, 2012

OK, now well over a month later I am still down. It idles,even though pretty smokey, even runs but as soon as I put any load on it bogs down and almost dies. What i have done:
Rebuilt injection pump
rebuilt injectors
Checked and double checked the timing marks (having to tear down the motor each time to do this)
Checked compression (500 and 495 psi)
purged the fuel system twice with different fuels
made sure fuel was getting to pump
Messed with the pump timing

At this point I am totally out of options and have no idea what to do.

Skaning · Jun 20, 2012

At this point it seems that you have done everything you can get at on the outside. When you think diesel it's pump timing, air, clean fuel. If you believe everything is straight outside you need to look at valves. Something stuck closed? Pump timing is right, how about valve timing? I'm getting outside of my comfort zone here on suggestions but you are getting to the point of when you eliminate the obvious you have go deeper.

Another thought, you have not mentioned it but a load of bad fuel? It happens and water is the worst. There is a filter on mine but no water trap.

I just went through a water leak issue with mine. I was absolutely sure it was pump, radiator, or block. Never considered the thirty year old hoses until I took the lower one off and felt the crack.

Other than dealing with a very dumb look, at the only auto parts store open on Sunday, when I said it was a tractor and he couldn't look it up on his computer things went well.

offalot · Jun 21, 2012

Skaning, thanks for sticking with me. I thought of fue,l purged the system twice. BUT, when I had nothing left I called the diesel tech that rebuilt my pump and injectors. He and his sales guy traveled over an hour and spent about 6 hours at my house figuring this thing out. At the end of the day... the friggin key stock in the pump shaft was missing causing it to be way out of time. We replaced it with one from a VW pump I had and I was riding my MF ( that stands for something different to me now) within an hour.
Now I don't think this was the initial problem, it may have been the pump and it would have run fine once I put the rebuild on had this not happened.
So the whole weekend was spent haying the back yard, but now I should have a close to new tractor. Thanks again.

MF 205 not stayig running

offalot

New User

Mike tn

Member

offalot

New User

Mike tn

Member

Dieseltech

Well-known Member

Mike tn

Member

offalot

New User

Dieseltech

Well-known Member

offalot

New User

offalot

New User

offalot

New User

Skaning

Member

offalot

New User

Skaning

Member

offalot

New User

offalot

New User

Skaning

Member

offalot

New User

Similar threads