MF231 troubleshooting

[MF231owner]

Brush hogging and she shut down after about 30min. Cranks but won't fire up. Fuel bowl looks fine. Oil is a little low but shouldn't be low enough to be a problem.

I recently went from a 5' to a 6' cutter and could tell she was working harder but I didn't think it'd be a problem.


What should I be checking out besides getting the oil level up?

 

[Harry in Ky]

I would treat it as a fuel problem first, even if there's plenty in the tank. Start by bleeding it out. At the filter first, then at the lower bleed screw on the injection pump. Maybe it's a simple fuel starvation issue, and you can clear it out and get back to work. If there's no air anywhere and it's all solid fuel everywhere, then you may have a problem.

 

[MF231owner]

I hiked back to it just now and after 10-15 seconds she fired up. Still doesn't quite sound right though. Got it to the barn though so I'll change all the fluids and start my own records for it.

 

[MF231owner]

Anyone with a link to the manual for the 231 I can print off? Ideally for free.

Or can at least tell me the capacity for the engine oil and coolant system?

 

[Farmer495]

Anyone with a link to the manual for the 231 I can print off? Ideally for free.

Or can at least tell me the capacity for the engine oil and coolant system?

Perkins 152 should need 6.5 litres oil with filter change.

 

[MF231owner]

Siphoned out the fuel I could. A little trash came out with it. Also included a picture of the inside of my tank. Should I go through the hassle of pulling it and washing it out?

 

[Farmer495]

Siphoned out the fuel I could. A little trash came out with it. Also included a picture of the inside of my tank. Should I go through the hassle of pulling it and washing it out?

Keep in mind the tank might have a lower sump then what you can see from the filler, I know the 240 does. I would see if you get lots of fuel flow to the filters. Likely wouldn't hurt to change the fuel filters too.

 

[MF231owner]

Keep in mind the tank might have a lower sump then what you can see from the filler, I know the 240 does. I would see if you get lots of fuel flow to the filters. Likely wouldn't hurt to change the fuel filters too.

I have WIX oil and fuel filters on their way from Amazon.

 

[Dmacleo]

any way to check fuel pressure as entering rails on the 231? a before and after filter change/tank clean may help in the future.

 

[MF231owner]

I pulled the tank and it did have some goop in it. The nyoln filter at the fuel shut off valve was covered in it. Got it cleaned and am having trouble getting the fuel system to reprime.

The fuel that's entered the bowl so far is from the last batch as I put in road fuel this time. I've got the top line opened but I've cranked on it for at least 15 minutes and still don't have fuel coming from it.

What am I doing wrong?

 

[Farmer495]

Looks like an electric fuel pump?

Different setup than the 152 perkins in the 240.

Are you getting fuel to the injection pump?

 

[MF231owner]

Looks like an electric fuel pump?

Different setup than the 152 perkins in the 240.

Are you getting fuel to the injection pump?

Yes I opened the line and the new green fuel is there

 

[m7040]

Make sure the lift pump is working. Check by pumping with the lever and open fittings leading to injection pump. Then get a hold of the procedure for priming the injection pump and follow it. There is on mine a vent screw on the body of the injection pump to open while pumping or cranking and before that vent along the way up to that point at connections. After that I opened the lines at the injectors one at a time while cranking and closed and started it. Mine is an older Perkins engine but the basic procedure should be the same

 

[MF231owner]

Make sure the lift pump is working. Check by pumping with the lever and open fittings leading to injection pump. Then get a hold of the procedure for priming the injection pump and follow it. There is on mine a vent screw on the body of the injection pump to open while pumping or cranking and before that vent along the way up to that point at connections. After that I opened the lines at the injectors one at a time while cranking and closed and started it. Mine is an older Perkins engine but the basic procedure should be the same

The lever on mine was replaced by the electric pump.

 

[MF231owner]

Would it do anything to open the line on the filter and the 2 bolts on the ejection pump at the same time?

 

[MF231owner]

Would it do anything to open the line on the filter and the 2 bolts on the ejection pump at the same time?

 

[MF231owner]

That little pump wasn't running. I followed it's hot line to a capped end. Put it on the hott terminal and I could hear it turn on. Within a couple seconds I had fuel squirting out of a pinhole in the line that must have finally broke through. So ill find somewhere to get that line fixed and start again lol.

I guess maybe that little pump was cheaper or easier to source than the hand pump and you only put power to it when you need it when repriming the system.

 

[MF231owner]

That little pump wasn't running. I followed it's hot line to a capped end. Put it on the hott terminal and I could hear it turn on. Within a couple seconds I had fuel squirting out of a pinhole in the line that must have finally broke through. So ill find somewhere to get that line fixed and start again lol.

I guess maybe that little pump was cheaper or easier to source than the hand pump and you only put power to it when you need it when repriming the system.

 

[MF231owner]

Anyone have the part number for this line? It's the one that runs from the injectors, under the gas tank, and connects into the gas tank behind the battery. Rubbing the gas tank rubbed a hole in it where my finger is.

 

[MF231owner]

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