Massey Ferguson To-35 standard not starting

MFer1705 · Jan 19, 2018

TO-35 standards with no glo plugs. I know these tractors are known for having issues starting but man this thing is breaking my will. Tossed a new battery in her and had the heater plugged in all night but she won't even bark. Took out the injectors and cleaned them all up as the previous owner said might work. Seams that the injection pump is working. She turns over fast but not even a peep with starting fluid. Compression? I'm ready to give up on the old girl. Any and all advise would be appreciated. Thank you

thepumpguysc · Jan 20, 2018

I hate to hear " I cleaned my injectors".. theres nothing you can do to clean an injector, short of taking in apart. cleaning the holes & putting it on a pop tester & checking the opening pressure, leak down rate & spray pattern.
That being said, does your machine have a lift pump on it.. or is it gravity fed??
You gotta have fuel TO THE INJ. PUMP before it'll start.
IF IT HAS a lift pump, see if it has a filter screen in it.. that's your first line of defense against dirt in the system.
How are you starting it?? The throttle should be pulled, part to full throttle before turning the key.
Is the shut-off lever ON THE PUMP in the run position?? Just because the knob is pushed ALL THE WAY doesn't mean the lever on the pump has moved..
You wouldn't believe how many service calls I've made because the cable had gotten kinked & the lever ON THE PUMP was still in the sh-off position.
Have you tried to adjust the pump TIMING?? There is a timing line on the pump mounting flange that lines up w/ a line or degree marks on the engine block.. They've probably been painted over 35 times but they're there..
Go get some paint/gasket remover from the parts store/wally world & spray it on & wipe it off.. DON'T SCRAPE IT..
SAME W/ the name plate on the inj. pump.. the NP will have an arrow on it.. you'll wanna move your pump OPPOSITE the arrow 1-2* to advance the timing> NO MORE..
Are the valve adjustable on that engine?? Its amazing how properly set valves will bring an engine back to life..
Give those procedures a try & let us know how it went..
You did say> any & all advise.. Lol Good luck. TPG

MFer1705 · Jan 20, 2018

thepumpguysc said:
I hate to hear " I cleaned my injectors".. theres nothing you can do to clean an injector, short of taking in apart. cleaning the holes & putting it on a pop tester & checking the opening pressure, leak down rate & spray pattern.
That being said, does your machine have a lift pump on it.. or is it gravity fed??
You gotta have fuel TO THE INJ. PUMP before it'll start.
IF IT HAS a lift pump, see if it has a filter screen in it.. that's your first line of defense against dirt in the system.
How are you starting it?? The throttle should be pulled, part to full throttle before turning the key.
Is the shut-off lever ON THE PUMP in the run position?? Just because the knob is pushed ALL THE WAY doesn't mean the lever on the pump has moved..
You wouldn't believe how many service calls I've made because the cable had gotten kinked & the lever ON THE PUMP was still in the sh-off position.
Have you tried to adjust the pump TIMING?? There is a timing line on the pump mounting flange that lines up w/ a line or degree marks on the engine block.. They've probably been painted over 35 times but they're there..
Go get some paint/gasket remover from the parts store/wally world & spray it on & wipe it off.. DON'T SCRAPE IT..
SAME W/ the name plate on the inj. pump.. the NP will have an arrow on it.. you'll wanna move your pump OPPOSITE the arrow 1-2* to advance the timing> NO MORE..
Are the valve adjustable on that engine?? Its amazing how properly set valves will bring an engine back to life..
Give those procedures a try & let us know how it went..
You did say> any & all advise.. Lol Good luck. TPG

Thank you, I'll try that stuff when I get back into town.