Can this be repaired? If not, does replacement have to be exact OEM?

[Old Gray Mare]

Hello to all the wonderful and helpful tractor folk on here. I am stuck with this "situation" on my 1996 Massey 1250.

About a month ago, I was doing my typical walk-around and noticed a strong diesel smell from the tractor. I saw a diesel spot on the ground (about 5" across) under the fuel filter area. I found a slow drop from the overflow tube. This has NEVER happened before. This tractor has never leaked anything from the engine.
So I changed the fuel filter, bowl gasket, and o-ring up inside the housing. When I was bleeding the air, the valve would not stop a steady drip unless I turned it to about 11 o'clock. It still drips slowly.
And now when I gun the engine a little, there's black smoke at first then it goes away. Is this from too much air from the valve being offset?
Since I'm paying so much attention to the filter housing, I've noticed a seepage of fuel around the valve handle. It's very slow, but it's there.
My thought is that maybe there is an o-ring or gasket behind the valve handle? The one on the tractor doesn't show a gasket like the new one in the photo. There's a screw that looks like it goes directly into contact with the handle, so is that a way to remove the handle and repair a leak? Would a faulty "seat" cause the overflow to leak like a water spigot that drips?
This an image from the web...not from my tractor:

This is an OEM replacement, but it's $178 !!!! Holy cow!

I found a different model that looks similar, but is missing the overflow tube stub. And it has 2 other screws that I don't know what for. It's less than $100

What do you guys think I could/should do? My budget is tight (living on SS) so the less I spend, the happier this old gal will be

 

[K5lwq]

I suggest sticking with OEM for the filter housing. Looks like for starters you would need to source a longer bolt to mount the aftermarket you found.

Then the problem becomes remembering what cartridge fits the aftermarket. Also the quality of the cartridge. Going OEM may be cheaper in the long run.

 

[LouNY]

In the first photo the screw is labeled "air" so I'd guess a bleeder screw.
The second photo I'd believe both screws to be air bleeders.

 

[LD1]

I wouldnt be afraid of taking that screw out and seeing if the valve assembly comes out.

There has to be seals in there.....and it had to be assembled some how.

Might just be a 99 cent o-ring

 

[Dmacleo]

screw is air bleed, similar (different position) on MF1532. has nothing to do with valve (air/on/off) removal. its just where air/fuel blows thru when bleeding system after filter/bowl replace.
save yourself a ton of air bubble hassle. buy the right unit for the machine.

 

[LD1]

Whats on the back side of that valve? is there a retaining bolt, nut, or snapring of some kind?

 

[Fxfymn413]

I wouldnt be afraid of taking that screw out and seeing if the valve assembly comes out.

There has to be seals in there.....and it had to be assembled some how.

Might just be a 99 cent o-ring

What he said. A human put it together and another human can get it apart. Take it off the tractor, put it on a clean rag on the bench, take some pics so you remember what it looked like, and go for it. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

One downside to the after-market part might be that the filter is different from the original so you will need to mark it for future change outs.

 

[Egon]

On the original if the on/off handle has a screw in the middle try tightening it.

If that screw can be removed the valve handle and plug may be removable.

 

[xrjohndeere]

Talk to your local Massey dealer and see if they have a seal kit. I would venture to say the seals in the valve assembly deteriorated and when you closed the valve to work on it the movement finished them off. There should be o rings on the valve stem that you can replace when you pull it apart. If dealer does not have a kit your local parts store should be able to match up what you need. I would stick with rebuilding the old one or replacing with O‘em. Don’t be afraid to tear into it. Nothing ventured nothing gained. The screw should ride in a channel on the valve stem to keep it in the housing Unless there is a screw down the center.

 

[ROUSTABOUT]

Drain the fuel and take it down. If it can be serviced, could be just a few dollars. Maybe just a cracked o ring. Be sure to put a little grease on them when reassembly happens.