Massey Ferguson 231 died and will not start

[Bowtech32]

Having some issues with my 231, the other day it seemed to start running rough after about 30 minutes of use. I did not have much time to look so I killed it and the next day it seemed fine again. Then again after about 30 minute it ran rough (like it was missing) and then it died. I put a new battery in it because the old one would not turn it over but a few times (this was after it died) and needed replacement anyway. I am not much on Diesel engines an this is a perkin diesel in this little tractor. If anyone could point me in the right direction, I would appreciated it very much!!!!

 

[fried1765]

Having some issues with my 231, the other day it seemed to start running rough after about 30 minutes of use. I did not have much time to look so I killed it and the next day it seemed fine again. Then again after about 30 minute it ran rough (like it was missing) and then it died. I put a new battery in it because the old one would not turn it over but a few times (this was after it died) and needed replacement anyway. I am not much on Diesel engines an this is a perkin diesel in this little tractor. If anyone could point me in the right direction, I would appreciated it very much!!!!

New fuel filter?
Crud in the fuel tank?

 

[luke1782178]

Chances are you may have to bleed your fuel system if it cut off. Some of the old John Deere's at an inline fuel filter/screen that screws into the injection pump where your fuel goes into from the tank and these would stop up. Not sure on your tractor though.

 

[GManBart]

That sounds a lot like a fuel filter issue...they can go from fine to clogged almost instantly. It's also possible your fuel lift pump is failing (not the injector pump, just the little lift pump on the right side of the engine). The lift pump on this style Perkins engine is a weak point, and they don't last too long...anything over 1,000 hours is probably on borrowed time.

What can happen is that they start to fail slowly and can't quite keep up with the demand so it takes a while for the engine to start running poorly. Shortly after that they will barely idle. The good thing is, the fix is pretty inexpensive, but I would make sure to buy an OEM pump as I had poor luck with a generic replacement that failed in less than 100 hours (going off memory). The OEM part wasn't much more expensive either, so it doesn't hurt to go OEM.

Two threads you might want to quickly go through on this topic...one was when the lift pump on mine failed and another when someone else had the same problem.

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/...ns-diesel-wont-stay.html?highlight=massey+231


http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/parts-repairs/307384-perkins-air-fuel.html?highlight=Massey+fuel

 

[Bowtech32]

Thank you Gmanbart, very useful info... I will look into this, mine has around 500 hours but it sits for long stretches at a time then I run it for a week or 2 straight. Other than normal maintenance nothing on this tractor has ever been replaced