MF 65 starving for fuel?

SoCalFarmin · Feb 4, 2023

i have a early 60s MF 65 Perkins diesel 4 cylinder. when I got it about a year go, the previous owner had just had the FIP rebuilt. The tractor ran fine for the first few times I used it, then starting "hunting" I also noticed that it would run for half an hour then die and would not restart until several hours had passed, usually the next day. Over time the operating time got shorter and shorter and the "hunting" got more and more pronounced. One day after several attempts of starting and running for 30 seconds and then dying, it would not start at all.

i took the FIP to be serviced. i got it reinstalled and the tractor ran beautifully, the hunting and high idle was fixed. On the 3rd time I used it, it died after a half hour of running. the next day it ran for 15 minutes. Then only 30 seconds, then it wouldnt start at all.

I checked the fuel filter, cleaned out the fuel lines from the filter to the FIP and bled the lines to the injectors. I got it to run again for 30 seconds, then it died. WHen it dies it always winds down the same way as when you push the fuel shut off valve.

Whats the next thing I should do?

MF#1 · Feb 4, 2023

Ensure your fuel and tank are clean, no black slime which would indicate algae in it. Have you changed the filter(s), how did they look? Lift pump could be going bad too. There's a brass screen in the fuel shut off in the tank that gets clogged when there's small rust particles from the inside of the tank. You need a steady stream from the tank to the lift pump and the injector pump to keep it running. Could be any of these things and maybe some others. Keep at it and Good Luck!

jt501 · Feb 4, 2023

Double check the top(small) o-ring on the fuel filters, to make sure they weren't doubled up during filter replacement. One time, when changing the fuel filters, we accidentally left one of the old o rings in place, and stuck the new in on
top of it, and it caused an issue similar to this. Tractor would start and run after sitting, but would slowly get strangled for fuel.

Jim.ME · Feb 5, 2023

What brand and part number fuel filter(s) are you using. You posted you cleaned the lines from the filter to the injection pump. I would also recommend cleaning the lines from the tank to the filter, including removing the shutoff from the tank and making sure there is nothing inside its passage.

J.Wondergem · Feb 5, 2023

Did they tell you what was wrong with your Injection pump when you had it gone thru?

lstra · Feb 5, 2023

Our 255 had a simular problem last summer. We could use it 30 minutes, sometime 45, run perfect. The engine would die same as cutting fuel off. There was an olive on fuel line that had disinterated on suction
side of lift pump and closed fuel flow off. Took a while to pinpoint problem.

SoCalFarmin · Feb 5, 2023

When I asked he said he couldnt really remember so I think he just cleaned it up. he asked if I was using a fuel additive which I was because I was trying to solve the problem. The engine may have run 10 minutes with the KleenDiesel additive before I pulled the FIP. The fuel in it now is two weeks old.

SoCalFarmin · Feb 5, 2023

the fuel is definitely making it all the way to the injectors, I can see it coming out when I bleed the lines. When I loosen the injectors, the fuel is foamy/bubbly at first, then drips out when I turn the engine over. Not sure if that means anything.

SoCalFarmin · Feb 5, 2023

I will try this...I'm pretty sure that its very old and JB Welded onto the tank.

SoCalFarmin · Feb 5, 2023

thanks, I double checked and only saw one o ring

SoCalFarmin · Feb 5, 2023

Everything seems to suggest a problem at the tank or air is getting sucked in somewhere and building up an airlock after running a while.

Dieseltech · Feb 6, 2023

On top of a filter base is a constant bleed orifice that MIGHT be plugged. It can be a straight fitting or a banjo bolt fitting and the line also goes to the top injector
leak off return line and back to the tank. The orifice is there to remove any trapped air from the filter so air won't cause injection pump shutdown. When the orifice is
plugged any trapped air WILL go to injection pump inlet and engine WILL shut down. Also make sure the supply pump is working, when it fails that will cause injection pump
supply trouble too.

JLMac · Feb 6, 2023

Not sure if this was mentioned, but is there a screen in the lift pump?

Bart CA · Feb 9, 2023

Fuel tank vented cap clogged ?

Bart

sunbeam · Feb 9, 2023

I like to do the simple stuff first run the tractor with out the fuel cap

SoCalFarmin · Feb 16, 2023

(quoted from post at 20:12:51 02/04/23) .

Whats the next thing I should do?

Well I didnt want to keep everyone waiting in suspense....Looks like it was dirt in the fuel line between the tank and the lift pump.

Got it cleaned out and it cranked right up. :roll:

Jim.ME · Feb 17, 2023

(quoted from post at 00:22:46 02/17/23)

(quoted from post at 20:12:51 02/04/23) .

Whats the next thing I should do?

Click to expand...

Well I didnt want to keep everyone waiting in suspense....Looks like it was dirt in the fuel line between the tank and the lift pump.

Got it cleaned out and it cranked right up. :roll:

Thanks for the follow up on the issue.

J.Wondergem · Feb 17, 2023

Yes, thanks for posting the outcome.

MF#1 · Feb 17, 2023

Glad to hear you got it going. If you don't clean out the fuel shut off and maybe the tank itself you will probably have the same problem down the road :-( BTDT.

MF 65 starving for fuel?

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