MF 231 trouble asking for advice

GemStar · Feb 6, 2009

Long story short.... I think I have a broken ring in the engine. Can any one recommend a good place to look for engine kits??? Thanks any tips and wisdom is welcome.

Farmwithjunk · Feb 7, 2009

GemStar said:
Long story short.... I think I have a broken ring in the engine. Can any one recommend a good place to look for engine kits??? Thanks any tips and wisdom is welcome.

Try these folks. Best prices I know of.
Tractor Parts, Tractor Manuals, Engine Kits & More - Perkins 152 Engine Rebuild Kits

You'll find the kits for that engine to be as cheap and as plentiful as any engine on the market. The AD3-152 was used in one form or another for over 50 years, and in a variety of brands of tractors. Also check availablity and price at MF/AGCO dealer.

GemStar · Feb 7, 2009

Thanks FARMWITHJUNK I will check them out!

Travis_R · Feb 9, 2009

May I ask what year the tractor is and how many hours it has on it? I'm just curious because I have a 98' 231 Massey Ferguson with about 695 hours on it.

Thanks,
Travis R

GemStar · Feb 10, 2009

My tractor is about a 92' it has around 1600 hours on it . I talked with a MF dealer today . I was in a town with a dealer that I like!!!
I was talking to the owner about my tractor and he said that it is unusual for the Perkins engine to fail unless it is overheated or "dusted" or if any starting fluid is used. I without a doubt have never used starting fluid and never ran it hot . He was asking about servicing the air cleaner and what I was getting out of the cup. I told him how and the frequency I serviced it and then he told me that on the 231 he has seen hose failures between the air cleaner and the engine. Allowing unfiltered air to enter the engine. I hope that was not the cause but I will be looking into it. Any way I was just trying to get an estimate from the dealer which he said he could not give until he got the tractor in and at least got the head off. I did not like that answer so I kept pushing for at least a ballpark . He would not budge! After more discussion he said it could be as little as a blown head gasket or anywhere from a engine on frame overhaul to a complete off frame overhaul. I really would feel better having an estimate before having my tractor spread all over someones shop.

WilliamBos · Feb 10, 2009

GemStar said:
My tractor is about a 92' it has around 1600 hours on it . I talked with a MF dealer today . I was in a town with a dealer that I like!!!
I was talking to the owner about my tractor and he said that it is unusual for the Perkins engine to fail unless it is overheated or "dusted" or if any starting fluid is used. I without a doubt have never used starting fluid and never ran it hot . He was asking about servicing the air cleaner and what I was getting out of the cup. I told him how and the frequency I serviced it and then he told me that on the 231 he has seen hose failures between the air cleaner and the engine. Allowing unfiltered air to enter the engine. I hope that was not the cause but I will be looking into it. Any way I was just trying to get an estimate from the dealer which he said he could not give until he got the tractor in and at least got the head off. I did not like that answer so I kept pushing for at least a ballpark . He would not budge! After more discussion he said it could be as little as a blown head gasket or anywhere from a engine on frame overhaul to a complete off frame overhaul. I really would feel better having an estimate before having my tractor spread all over someones shop.

i agree. If you are mechanically inclined, I say do it yourself. You will save a TON of money compared to taking it too a dealer, and if you do run short of money, you can work on it as the money allows.

Keep us Posted.