MF 390T rumblings?

[Dry Rot]

I wonder if experienced mechanics on here could please have a listen to my MF 390? It had a rumble that a mechanic suggested might involve the water pump and said to replace that before trying anything else. Although there were no obvious symptoms, I did change the water pump and it was definitely needed -- so a good diagnosis. (Small unnoticed drips from pump before renewal and the rumbing seems to be less since).

But there is still a rumble there. It does become less noticeable with higher revs. The rumble is particularly noticeable towards the end of the video clip. 1992 MF 390T with about 6,000 hours (and not what is says on the dash!). I realise the difficulty of diagnosing these problems without digging deeper, but would be very grateful for your words of wisdom and even an educated guess. Balancer unit? Have you heard anything like it before? Thank you.

 

[Still Farming]

Any holes in exhaust or manifold?
To start with?

 

[Dry Rot]

Any holes in exhaust or manifold?
To start with?

No. The tines rattle with the dung fork on but I am aware of that! It's the bucket that's on now.

 

[serf]

Looks a beut of a machine , would love one of those one day ,
When I win the lottery ....

 

[trebornella]

Try draining the engine oil and look for metal bits to start with. If anything shows, the sump is not that difficult to remove. It does sound odd though. Another shot in the dark, try removing the starter and checking its ok, cowfarmer dan on youtube found his had broken and was touching the flywheel, different engine to yours but worth trying the easy things first.

 

[ford 7810]

Get a big screwdriver put the pointy end to different parts on the engine and an ear tight on the other end use it as a stethoscope, also, if it’s internal is the oil light working properly or try screwing in and oil pressure gauge

 

[Dry Rot]

Looks a beut of a machine , would love one of those one day ,
When I win the lottery ....

To be franks about it, I've had less trouble and less expense with the 135! OK, apples and oranges but it's true! Gradually working my way through problems the little tractor hasn't even thought of!

 

[Dry Rot]

Get a big screwdriver put the pointy end to different parts on the engine and an ear tight on the other end use it as a stethoscope, also, if it’s internal is the oil light working properly or try screwing in and oil pressure gauge

All the electrics seem to be perfect since I invested £80 in an hour with an auto electrician and saved my sanity! But good points.

 

[ford 7810]

To be franks about it, I've had less trouble and less expense with the 135! OK, apples and oranges but it's true! Gradually working my way through problems the little tractor hasn't even thought of!

Modern technology, 390t

 

[Dry Rot]

Try draining the engine oil and look for metal bits to start with. If anything shows, the sump is not that difficult to remove. It does sound odd though. Another shot in the dark, try removing the starter and checking its ok, cowfarmer dan on youtube found his had broken and was touching the flywheel, different engine to yours but worth trying the easy things first.

Good point. The starter on the 135 stopped working and when I took it off, it was completely mangled inside, which is a credit to the tractor that it lasted so long. One thing that caught me out was loose tines on the muck fork creating a sinister rattle...until I realised what was causing it. This brain storming is often quite reassuring as it has already been split to replace that £2 spring. What else could possibly go wrong? I think it will mean taking the sump off at some point....

 

[trebornella]

Whilst draining the oil, if you find anything, try cutting the oil filter apart, as it may have caught lots of little pieces. As Ford 7810 mentioned, a screwdriver as a stethoscope is a good ideal as is checking the oil pressure with a proper pressure gauge.

 

[Ladsdad]

Did you find out what the noise was? Once fixed a 398 where the rocker shaft bolts had worked loose and sounded similar.

 

[Charolais cattle]

Did you find out what the noise was? Once fixed a 398 where the rocker shaft bolts had worked loose and sounded similar.

I had one the rocker Shaft bolt had broken, take of rocker cover and start her then, ps there rite wee bit of stripping to do, intake breather box, exhaust box etc

 

[Dry Rot]

It sounds worst in tickover. I think it will be going into the dealers for a check up, sump off time. Fortunately, I am not using it just now. And don't tell me I should do it myself. At 84 I have limits!

 

[Cowabunga]

It might be balancer shaft bearings or a cracked cradle for them. Worth having a look before it goes BANG!

 

[Dry Rot]

Resurrecting this thread as I haven't done much with the 390 as I have been busy on other things.

Here is a shortened video clip with a caption when the sound appears. Sometimes there is no rumbling and I get to think it has cured itself (as if!). Sometimes it is intermittent -- like on this recording. Sometimes it is continuous.

Two interesting comments from the Facebook group, ""Heard that before on a neighbours 390, the bush in the timing idler gear was worn. It eventually sheared the injection pump shaft" and "Timing gear ours went the same changed it just in time". Does that ring any bells?