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Massey Harris & Massey Ferguson Tractors Discussion Forum
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MF 35 Starting problem

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Mikael

01-26-2004 12:26:47




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Hi,

I have an MF35 (23C) 4 cyl diesel with starting problem. Even with a fresh battery, a new starting motor and a engine coolingwater preheater it will not start. If i tow the tractor or if the engine is warm it starts up right away. Any suggestions?

Thanks




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Simon Ridout (in UK)

01-27-2004 11:59:48




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 Re: MF 35 Starting problem in reply to Mikael, 01-26-2004 12:26:47  
I have a Ferguson 35 with a 23 c 4 cylinder diesel engine. I had it fitted with glow plugs in the cylinder head. With these it starts in all weathers (although it is rarely below -2C in Devon). This really transforms the engine. Because of these starting problems MF bought Perkins and fitted the 3 cylinder engine.

However because the 3 cylinder tractors were so good, most are well worn after years of hard work and a 4 cylinder tractor will probably have much more life in it.

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Jim (Eire)

01-29-2004 05:26:28




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 Re: Re: MF 35 Starting problem in reply to Simon Ridout (in UK), 01-27-2004 11:59:48  
I have a 23c here in Ireland and only last week fitted glow plugs to each cylinder. I have also done a full rebuild. It is now even harder to start than before but I suspect timing problems.
Simon-I'd be interested to hear what type of glow plug you used and how far it is inserted into the chamber as I'm concerned that mine may be affecting mix in the chamber. The plugs I used were modern Beru plugs (GN007)and they extend into the center of the chamber directly under the injector. Unfortunately I had to bore through the Chamber insert.

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Thomas

01-27-2004 11:18:09




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 Re: MF 35 Starting problem in reply to Mikael, 01-26-2004 12:26:47  
They have always been bad starters, I have a theory that it is because of the loose fitting dry liners which I belive don't help with compression when cold. I improved mine no end with a full engine rebuild to the point that it would always start with 20 seconds heat, even in winter. However after 60 hours of road work it was giving problems again. I pulled out the pistons, honed the bores and replaced piston rings. I noticed in the replacement set that I was a ring short per piston, I checked the manual and it seems the bottom ring groove should be empty. I rebuilt it and used a HD30 Diesel oil rather than the 15W40 multifleet I was using. It runs better than it ever did now, no smoke at all. I have also heard of tricks such as adding glow plugs to each cylinder and drilling a hole in the precombustion chamber to make it direct injection under cold starting.

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Joe Ferguson

01-26-2004 18:20:52




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 Re: MF 35 Starting problem in reply to Mikael, 01-26-2004 12:26:47  
Hi Mikael

We had one new many years ago after one year we had problems to start it we Installed block heater and plugged it 3 to 4 hours before using the tractor then started on first turn.

Needed block heater even in summer the only times it started by itself was only
when it was exposed under hot sunlight.

There were some of these 4 cyl diesel in our area
and all had the same desease.

Some years later we had a 35 Perkins 3 cylinders
which started under all climates without help.


HTH


Joe Ferguson

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David

01-26-2004 17:47:57




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 Re: MF 35 Starting problem in reply to Mikael, 01-26-2004 12:26:47  
23c has always had starting problems. Its a feature of the engine. Cold makes it worse. So does low compression. Provided its mechanically ok, you may have to resort to the dreaded ether. We used it on one we had with no problems (except failing to get it started some days even with the ether)



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louis5

01-26-2004 16:53:38




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 Re: MF 35 Starting problem in reply to Mikael, 01-26-2004 12:26:47  
MAYBE and JUST MAYBE:
I had similar problem everytime i wanted the tractor it was crank crank crank etc. And give it a tow for 15 feet and starts right off. And after it had run and warmed it would re-start ok.
I found thhat i had a leaking fuel fitting on the filter inlet which was letting air back into the system[ while it was sitting over night] and it would not clear by cranking. Why it needed that tow i don;t know, but by using the manual lift pump, i could bleed off the injector p/p and injectors, and possibly have it start.
Since then a check of all fittngs may solve it, but does this happen in the summer also? if so really suspect a leaking fuel fitting/cracked line. And of course JAck Frost is having his chilly season fun with you.

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RZ(Wa)

01-26-2004 16:04:50




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 Re: MF 35 Starting problem in reply to Mikael, 01-26-2004 12:26:47  
Welcome to the winter world of diesels. You will find many posts relating to the same problem regardless of make or model.



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RICK

01-26-2004 17:20:22




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 Re: Re: MF 35 Starting problem in reply to RZ(Wa), 01-26-2004 16:04:50  
i have a 150 3cyl. diesel i live in southeastern ohio it gets pretty cold here. sunday morning i believe it was aroung 6 degrees and the 150 fired right up without any heat or starting fluid it turned over about 7 times and away she went. i have owned it for about 5 yrs now and there hasnt been a morning yet to cold for it to start.anyone have any explanations why it starts so easily im just curious

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