MF135 engine failure

herleik

New User
Hi!
My trusted MF135 through 40 years(!) suddenly broke down with complete engine failure, the engine won't move at all.
Prior to this I've noticed that it's been smoking a fear bit white smoke from engine (not exhaust) when run hard.

I pulled the head of the engine, and notices cylinders full of coolant.

I've not proceeded any work, and would like some opinions in order to decide to try a recovery of engine, rather than let my trusted Massey retire.

Is it likely to believe that this is the head gasket (which at first look seem in order), or is this signs of a bigger failure?

Thanks for any response!

Anders
 
Could be a bad head gasket but if coolant was in all the cylinder good chance it is worse then that and could be a cracked head. I'd have the head checked at a machine shop and have them magnaflux the head. I don't know if it is a wet sleeve engine but that could also be a problem if it is
 
Gasoline Engine or Diesel Engine?
All and any history of Engine repairs.?
Hours on Tachometer?

S# of Tractor?

Engine OIL PSI when up to operating temperature..eg..LOW/NORMAL/HIGH

Working Engine Coolant Temperature gauge...?

Bob..Owner MF 35
 
Gas or diesel? If gas, is it Continental or Perkins? Crack the engine drain plug to see if there is coolant in the oil. If there is, drain it quick.
 
Thanks for immidiate response!

Fuel is diesel.

Engine: Perkins AD3 152

Previous repairs on engine: Replaced broken head gasket 15 years ago.

Hours: Tachometer stopped at 7900hrs, but i would assume something between 15000 and 20000hrs. Tractor is in regular use on my cattle farm, and has been on the farm since 1972.

Neither tachometer, oil pressure gauge, or temperature gauge is working.

Status when I started pulling it apart:
Oil level on engine a bit to high.
No obvious signs of water in oil.
Coolant looking good.
No signs of broken head og head gasket.
Pistons are jammed in cylinder.

Considered that the clutch also needs to be replaced, and the gear shifter springs are worn, resulting in gear box often in two gears at the same time, I understand that it will be a big job to get the tractor back in proper shape.

What do people suggest me to do?
And what is the probable reason to piston jam?

Regards Anders[/img]
 
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That is a pretty common engine maybe seek a rebuilt engine. A few years back Dad and bought a rebuilt engine from a Perkins dealer. Be sure to keep your engine until you get the new engine back in the tractor. We had little issues like the water necks differed.
 
Are the pistons still locked up after removing the head? The engine could have been hydro-locked because of the antifreeze in the cylinders. Hopefully you have cleaned the antifreeze out of the cylinders since removing the head. If the engine will turn over now, I would follow Old's advice. If it is still locked, I would go with what miangus said.
 
Did the engine lock up while it was running, or did it lock up when you went to crank it up? Now that you have head off does the engine turn over now? If the engine does turn over clean the top of the block, and pistons so you can see if all the pistons go up to the same height in the block, if they are all the same chances are you didn't hurt the engine. If that all checks out ok it will probably be fine with a new head gasket (I have as of yet to see one of these engines with a cracked sleeve, or cracked head that allowed coolant to get into the cylinders, usually it's just a bad head gasket).
 
Pistons are still locked yes.
We actually experienced a light piston jam 15 years ago when the head gasket was repaced, the tractor had been sitting still for quite a while then. We applied oil in the cylinders, put the gear in 4H, and gently rolled the tractor back ond forth.
Anyway, it has been running smooth ever since.

First thing after removing head was a total clean, and preservation with penetrating oil.

As I need this tractor running for daily use i will look for a second one, and then do a complete overhaul on my old friend when there is better time.

I'm greatful for all response and advises!
If any interest I will post an update when I move on with this one.

Anders
 
(quoted from post at 10:26:47 01/24/23) Pistons are still locked yes.
We actually experienced a light piston jam 15 years ago when the head gasket was repaced, the tractor had been sitting still for quite a while then. We applied oil in the cylinders, put the gear in 4H, and gently rolled the tractor back ond forth.
Anyway, it has been running smooth ever since.

First thing after removing head was a total clean, and preservation with penetrating oil.

As I need this tractor running for daily use i will look for a second one, and then do a complete overhaul on my old friend when there is better time.

I'm greatful for all response and advises!
If any interest I will post an update when I move on with this one.

Anders


Sounds like a piston, or rod may have been damaged the last time head gasket went bad. The Perkins 3.152 engines are pretty cheap, and easy to rebuild.
 

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