135 diesel: knock, squeak, now won't start?

[IIIBradIII]

Did I just lose the main bearing? Tractor had been idling nicely but then for a minute or two before it shut itself down it was not maintaining rpm. I bumped up the throttle slightly to keep it running then walked away to get the bush hog hooked up. While I was at the truck getting a pin I heard the engine knock slightly more than it had before, then it quit. Now when turning it over there is a loud squeak that sounds like it's coming from the main bearing on the front of the engine (lowest pulley). No way to know of course the exact location/source of the squeak but that's what it seems like. And of course it won't start now.

Give me the bad news...

 

[JJ. in B.C.]

It does indeed sound like a bearing gone bad, nothing else for it but to drop the oil pan and take a look, the pan is cast and heavy and is an intregal part of the frame so support the front of tractor.

 

[flusher]

Did I just lose the main bearing? Tractor had been idling nicely but then for a minute or two before it shut itself down it was not maintaining rpm. I bumped up the throttle slightly to keep it running then walked away to get the bush hog hooked up. While I was at the truck getting a pin I heard the engine knock slightly more than it had before, then it quit. Now when turning it over there is a loud squeak that sounds like it's coming from the main bearing on the front of the engine (lowest pulley). No way to know of course the exact location/source of the squeak but that's what it seems like. And of course it won't start now.

Give me the bad news...

Step 1: get yourself the MF135 parts and service manuals before tearing your engine apart. I prefer them on CD (a lot cheaper than paper copies)

Massey Ferguson MF 135 & 148 Service Manual & Perkins - eBay (item 350415983802 end time Dec-21-10 19:51:33 PST)

Right now my 1964 MF135 diesel is in my shop with pto clutch problems and engine oil leaks. I'll be splitting that tractor next year to rebuild or repair the clutch.

 

[IIIBradIII]

Ugh, ok thanks guys. I just ordered that manual. I need to replace a gasket or two on the injector pump too, so it looks like I'm in for a busy winter.

 

[kenstrac]

Does it have a loader w/ a front mounted pump, PS pump,generator OK,water pump,something get lodged in front pulley to block?
I would check all of the above before tearing into the bottom end.

 

[IIIBradIII]

Hi Ken. No loader and it doesn't look like it has ever had one. I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't have a PS pump at all (even though the seller assured me it did), the squeal doesn't seem to be coming from the generator, and honestly I'm not sure where the water pump is?

Another thing that makes me think it's a main bearing is that I now get a little smoke coming out of the front of the engine around the lower pulley when I turn the engine over.

 

[kenstrac]

Hi Ken. No loader and it doesn't look like it has ever had one. I've come to the conclusion that it doesn't have a PS pump at all (even though the seller assured me it did), the squeal doesn't seem to be coming from the generator, and honestly I'm not sure where the water pump is?

Another thing that makes me think it's a main bearing is that I now get a little smoke coming out of the front of the engine around the lower pulley when I turn the engine over.

Well you had better open up the bottom dosn't sound good.

 

[David Devuono]

Sorry to hear about your new tractor. If nothing else it looks in fair condition. Did you have oil pressure? Did\does the oil look clean? I suppose by now you know the situation but would like to hear an update. Thanks

 

[rjmack]

did you try turning the fan to see if the fan belt turns?

i have never in my life heard of an engine bearing 'squealing'.

 

[svcguy]

Doesn't sound good. A squeaking main would point to oil starvation. I would doubt it's the fan if you hear it from the front pulley, but if the gen or pump (fan) bearing seized and the belt is tight (or loose) enough, you might hear a fan belt dragging. That would be easy to assess by watching the belt while turning the engine over. I have never heard of a gen or pump seizure dragging the engine down enough to kill it though.