MF 135 Perkins Gas 3 Cylinder - Power Down After Warm - Won't Restart

[slhilbert]

I am having issues with my MF 135 Perkins Gas 3 Cylinder again. The tractor is starting right up and running great as long as it is idling. When I power up and start driving it around, pretty quickly it bogs down and dies, almost like it is starving for fuel. Once this happens you can't start the tractor again until it sits for a while, and then it will start right up and does the same thing. I have had this problem in the past, but I would have to run the tractor for like 30 minutes and playing with the choke seemed to resolve it. If I could get the choke in the exact right spot the tractor would run no problem continuously. I can't seem to make that magic happen anymore.

Some Things I have Observed

• Also the key start has been hit and miss, sometimes it starts with the key, and sometimes nothing. The safety switch is working. I did replace the Voltage Regulator and that might have resolved this issue, but I haven't used the tractor enough to be sure.
• I did take the carb apart and clean it all out, not saying I did it right
• A few years ago I had to replace the distributor shaft and after that work it ran fine. I have played with the timing a bit by rotating the distributor to see if something was going on there.
• The power down feels like it is thirsty for fuel, but I am like 96.3% sure the carb is getting the fuel it needs.
• Part of me wonders if it is electrical, but not sure why I really think that. I have replaced the plugs and the wires, but with the ignition issue it makes wonder.
• I have found when stuck in a field I can use a remote starter and continue to turn the starter, the tractor actually runs pretty good and I can at least get it back to the garage.

I worry that something internal in the engine is heating up and expanding and that is why I am having issues.

I am a bit at a loss. I love this old tractor, but not sure how to fix it at this point.

Thanks for the help!
Stuart

 

[ultrarunner]

I don’t own the same model but I have had similar and it traced to fuel almost every time.

Tank Vent obstructed and an easy test is try with the cap removed.

Carb Float stuck limiting volume of fuel flow… fine for idle but not under load.

I’ve also had a bad condenser that produced a weak spark to no spark when hot.

Also, once had a coil that was weak… and it produced a weak spark.

I have a 1940’s Snap On coil tester I picked up years ago and it makes for easy testing.

Spark, Fuel and Compression required.

 

[Roadworthy]

I suspect your float level is set incorrectly or the needle is sticking.

 

[RayIN]

There is a plastic round screen on top of/above the sediment bowl, remove sediment bowl and clean this screen. This plastic screen fits snugly in the housing. Inside the gas tank, there might be a coarser brass screen, quite often it's missing. The tank must be emptied, then the sediment bowl assy removed to see this screen. If fuel cleanliness is not observed, this screen can get stopped up with debris.

 

[slhilbert]

Well, I am back and things have gone from bad to worse.

I took the carb off, cleaned it, put it back on. Same result as before.

I bit the bullet and bought a new carb, wouldn't hardly even start. Just putter and die.

I played with the timing at the distributor cap by rotating it, didn't help.

Took old carb apart again, adjust floats cleaned it, etc. Still nothing.

Replaced the fuel lines and sediment bowl (Getting desperate at this point).

I checked spark and I have a good spark on all three wires.

I feel like I maybe have messed up the timing really bad because at this point I can't even get it to pop off really.

I decided to cut the fuel line off and just try starter fluid as I thought that would tell me if the carb is having an issue. I did this and the starter fluid is just blowing out the exhaust. I might get one really loud back fire and that is it.

I am attaching a short video for you to see what I am trying to describe. PLEASE HELP! AHHH!!!!