Fixing MF 135 Coolant Leak

[MabouRidge]

Hi:

My MF 135 recently overheated. I cleaned out the radiator fins which were caked with dirt and was refilling the radiator with coolant and noticed that coolant was spilling out from behind my radiator fan pulley as fast as I was adding it. It was coming out in a spaghetti-like stream. My brother suggested it was a water pump seal. Does this sound like the issue to you? If so, is it difficult to replace the water pump seal?

Regards,
Paul

 

[MasseyWV]

It sounds like you need a new water pump. The water pump "seal" isn't considered a servicable part. What engine does your Massey 135 have?

 

[MabouRidge]

I have a 3 cylinder Perkins gas engine. I was told that it was originally a diesel, converted to propane so it could be operated in a hockey rink to clean ice, and was then converted to a gas after that. I was able to order a water pump seal for from a local MF dealer and assume it would look somthing like this:

Massey Ferguson Tractor Waterpump Seal 17 5mm

Or see part 2666 here:

.: TYP Tractor :. Tractor Spare Parts / Massey Ferguson /Throttle Cont & WaterPump P. / MF04-002

I don't really know much about repairing MF water pumps so any advice would be appreciated.

Regards,
Paul

 

[MasseyWV]

I don't really know much about repairing MF water pumps so any advice would be appreciated.

If I were you, I'd simply replace the water pump, because the cost of a new one isn't much more than the cost of the parts to rebuild the old one. Since the seal is leaking, the bearing is probably shot too. You could rebuild the water pump, but it's generally not a simple procedure, unless you have the proper tools.

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1x3-R2l03Q]Rebuilding Water Pump & Pulley - YouTube[/ame]

 

[MabouRidge]

Thanks a bunch for your advice and the video. I decided to order a new water pump ($54 before shipping) instead of the just the seal ($39) as you recommended.

One more question - I uploaded a pic of my tractor and as you can see it has been adapted with a front end loader that is going to reduce my ability to get at the water pump. My brother said it might just be a "busted knuckles" job to work in this tight space. Are there parts of the front grill/radiator or side panels that you would remove, or would you just leave everything in place and start bustin' knuckles to remove the fan and water pump? I don't have the tractor in front of me at the moment and am planning to travel the farm in Mabou, Cape Breton this weekend to fix this leak.

Regards,
Paul

 

[Mike476]

Don't know about the perkins three cylinder but I changed the pump on my Z134 4 cyl without removing the rad, took the fan off and was careful not to flatten any fins. Longest part of the job was removal of the pulley and housing, it's a press fit onto the shaft on mine.

 

[MasseyWV]

One more question - I uploaded a pic of my tractor and as you can see it has been adapted with a front end loader that is going to reduce my ability to get at the water pump. My brother said it might just be a "busted knuckles" job to work in this tight space. Are there parts of the front grill/radiator or side panels that you would remove, or would you just leave everything in place and start bustin' knuckles to remove the fan and water pump?

Changing the water pump isn't difficult, and doesn't require the removal of the radiator or any panels, although the fan bolts are a bit difficult to reach. Just be careful not to bend the radiator fins while removing the fan bolts because they are in close proximity to each other.

Having a loader does create some additional challenges, but nothing that cannot be overcome.

 

[MabouRidge]

Thanks again Mike and Massey. I think I have a workable plan now. Might be a good time to invest in an air ratchet as I hear they make working in tight spaces like this a bit easier.

 

[MasseyWV]

Thanks again Mike and Massey. I think I have a workable plan now. Might be a good time to invest in an air ratchet as I hear they make working in tight spaces like this a bit easier.

I have an air rachet, and doubt that you could get one on the fan bolts, which are best removed with a combination wrench.

 

[Mike476]

Might be different on the Perkins but the bolts on mine weren't particularly difficult. Once you have it back together I would keep an eye on the fluids, depending on how hot it got you want to make sure no other damage was done that may allow coolant to mix with your oil.