MF 35X engine rebuild - cost estimate

[MikeNeaverson]

Evening all,

I'm sorry if this has been covered before. We've got a MF35X that was my grandfathers. Its been sat in a shed for last 25 years and has been run maybe a dozen times in the same period. It bump starts and runs fine but Dad was told years ago that it would need a fair bit of work to get it to start on the key, unfortunately he can't remember the diagnosis (the rusty can of EasyStart under the seat isn't a good sign though!). Its never going to be a candidate for a full refurbishment but it has a lot of sentimental value and I'd like to get it mechanically sound if possible. I'd imagine that it will need an engine rebuild and I wondered if anyone has any idea of a) who would be a good person to talk to in the South Lincs area about doing it and b) a very rough idea of cost? I know its a case of how long is a piece of string but are we talking about a few hundred quid or even more? Just wondering whether its worth it.

Many thanks

 

[mushnt grummmble]

Diy about 4-500
nice project for you

 

[Ray]

It really depends just how bad it is. The easy start can would indicate a lack of compression and poor starting although not necessarily needing a full rebuild. Oil pressure, crank and bearings could well be ok.

I would first get it running even if it means buying a new can of easy start, then check the oil pressure with a warm engine. This will give you a good idea as to the condition of crank, bearings etc. Checking the valve clearances would also be a good idea as many of these old tractors will have been neglected in this department due to having the diesel tank to remove.

The Perkins AD3.152 is a very easy engine to work on, and an engine overhaul kit will cost you around £250. It is easy to fit for anyone with good mechanical knowledge.

If your really lucky it may just be incorrectly set, poor seating or worn / burnt valves in which case just a cylinder head overhaul may be all that's needed.

 

[multi power]

@John 1594

 

[jcross]

Normally i would tackle engines myself however for my recent project i sent my Tef20s engine away to get done as it was in real bad shape. Everything had to be done and the man that done it has been doing to for 40 years and he says it is one of the worst engines he has ever had to work on. Having said this it was my Grandfathers tractor so it had to be done. When i got the engine back it came to £1400. That is everything done. That might give you some clue.

 

[Jfp]

Where abouts at south lincs are you?

 

[manhill]

Evening all,

I'm sorry if this has been covered before. We've got a MF35X that was my grandfathers. Its been sat in a shed for last 25 years and has been run maybe a dozen times in the same period. It bump starts and runs fine but Dad was told years ago that it would need a fair bit of work to get it to start on the key, unfortunately he can't remember the diagnosis (the rusty can of EasyStart under the seat isn't a good sign though!). Its never going to be a candidate for a full refurbishment but it has a lot of sentimental value and I'd like to get it mechanically sound if possible. I'd imagine that it will need an engine rebuild and I wondered if anyone has any idea of a) who would be a good person to talk to in the South Lincs area about doing it and b) a very rough idea of cost? I know its a case of how long is a piece of string but are we talking about a few hundred quid or even more? Just wondering whether its worth it.

Many thanks

I use a 2kW hot air gun into the air intake to get a cold 4cyl 35 to start. Works great but have to be near a 240V supply. It doesn't take oxygen out of the air like a flame does so maybe that helps.The air filter is left off and that's probably not a good idea. Haven't found a 12v portable hot air gun yet.

 

[Bemo]

What about a local ag collage, you pay for parts they do the work.

 

[mushnt grummmble]

I use a 2kW hot air gun into the air intake to get a cold 4cyl 35 to start. Works great but have to be near a 240V supply. It doesn't take oxygen out of the air like a flame does so maybe that helps.The air filter is left off and that's probably not a good idea. Haven't found a 12v portable hot air gun yet.

Just fit a thermostart to it

 

[MF-ANDY]

Just fit a thermostart to it

what another one!

 

[Ray]

Normally i would tackle engines myself however for my recent project i sent my Tef20s engine away to get done as it was in real bad shape. Everything had to be done and the man that done it has been doing to for 40 years and he says it is one of the worst engines he has ever had to work on. Having said this it was my Grandfathers tractor so it had to be done. When i got the engine back it came to £1400. That is everything done. That might give you some clue.

The 20C engine fitted to the TEF 20's isn't the easiest to work on. The bottom of the con rods where the big end shells fit is larger than the cylinder bores. This makes piston removal much more interesting...

I use a 2kW hot air gun into the air intake to get a cold 4cyl 35 to start. Works great but have to be near a 240V supply. It doesn't take oxygen out of the air like a flame does so maybe that helps.The air filter is left off and that's probably not a good idea. Haven't found a 12v portable hot air gun yet.

This same 25C Standard engines fitted to Allis Chalmers ED40 tractors have heater plugs fitted on every cylinder. This seems a better design than the single manifold heater found on FE35's.

 

[Mursal]

Well bin the easy start and never mention it again.

Check the heater plug in the inlet manifold, that its working properly, should go on fire after 50 - 60 seconds diesel supply from the return pipe coming off the injectors. Best to test outside.
Good battery out of anything and make sure its getting a good spin from the starter. Jump a wire from the large terminal on the starter to the little control wire on the solenoid to crank, just make sure its in NEUTRAL.
With diesel up to the injectors (bleed it with the hand primer on the lift pump first) a bit of heat and a good sharp crank it might fire up? Or hill start and work on getting on the starter with the engine warm, then when you have things more sorted try a cold start with the starter. Take the bottom off the air filter just in case its full of water and not getting air through. It will be fine without a bottom for a bit.

Those 3 cylinders were bullet proof, don't go on advice from everyone else, best to check things out yourself.

 

[Ley253]

Ad3 152 engine kit £180 new completely assembled cyl head, (valve seats cant be fitted, and valve seat wear can cause the bad starting) if needed about the same. Thats from Southern counties tractor spares

 

[cosmiccrofter]

Ad3 152 engine kit £180 new completely assembled cyl head, (valve seats cant be fitted, and valve seat wear can cause the bad starting) if needed about the same. Thats from Southern counties tractor spares

Wrong kit for a 35X, AD3 is direct injection as in the 135.

 

[Ley253]

Wrong kit for a 35X, AD3 is direct injection as in the 135.

Yes I thought that after I had posted, but all the three cyl perkins kits are around the same price. If anything the indirect kit should be cheaper due to the more basic pistons.

 

[MikeNeaverson]

Thanks all, I'll have a look at it when we've finished spuds. Not that we've got any kit to go on the back of it anymore!

 

[Will 1594]

Did you get it done , just been offered a tidy 35x but needs engine doing what did it end up costing

 

[24/7 farming]

we got engine done in a MF148 last year, it was still running, but badly down on power and getting impossible to start... ended up broken rings were the culprit... it got the full works, whatever it needed, new valves etc, all in it cost 1100€ (£900ish) including labour and parts (there was a few extras in that come to think of it... fuel pump, radiator and other bits n bobs). A fair wack of money... but we have the tractor since it was 10yrs old and is still earning it keep... does all mowing for silage and hay, fert spreading, spraying and carting silage bales. Wouldnt have got 1000€ for it the way it was, and then would have had to fork out to replace it, so spending it on the devil you know seemed as good as any..

 

[kill]

My 35x would never start without a good heat from its glow plug so maybe your easy start was an alternative? Just look at the glow plug before rebuilding the engine.

 

[Mursal]

Interesting trailer @24/7 farming one bale wide, for tight lanes?
Poor little tractor .........


Yes its always a good plan to do the easy stuff (heater plug) first.