MF 263 turbo reliability

[geneP]

If you read my previous posts, I'm looking for a ~50 hp, 5000# tractor with a synchro shuttle. I passed on a 243 and have found a 263 locally. It has the shuttle and the optional higher flow hydraulics, 1200+ hours. The tractor has the 165 c.i. engine with turbo. I know from experience in the trucking industry that turbos go out and are expensive. I see on TractorData.com that the turbo version and the non-turbo have the same compression ratio. Does that mean that if the turbo goes out it will run OK, although with less hp?

Any comments about the tractor in general or the engine will be appreciated.

 

[Kenneth S]

It depends on how a turbo goes out. My brothers 1988 Ford 7710 with a turbo still has the original turbo, the main thing is changing the oil, and filters on a regular basis. If it's been ran hard for a while letting the tractor sit idling for 10 to 15 minutes afterwards to cool down will help prevent the oil being cooked inside the turbo. One of the worse things that can happen to a turbo is for the engine to die out while it's being worked hard leaving the turbo spinning fast without being supplied oil (a turbo can reach 100,000 + rpms). If the turbo does go away, you can remove it, plug off the oil lines, and re-work some of the intake, and exhaust pipe. It will run ok without it, but have less power. The 243 uses the same engine as the 263, but without the turbo the 243 has around 8 less hp than the 263. Using engine oil made for turbocharged diesels, it should be trouble free for a long time.

 

[geneP]

I went and drove the tractor this morning. It runs good, but how do I determine if the turbo is working? It has no obvious oil leaks, etc, but I couldn't put it under load to see if the power holds up.

 

[Kenneth S]

If the hose on the inlet of the turbo can come off that would be the place to look. The shaft may have a little bit of wobble in it, but it the impeller fins shouldn't touch the housing or have any nicks, or dings in them, then rotate it (it shouldn't be too hard to turn with just your finger). It shouldn't smoke (engine oil), if you didn't see any oil burning out the exhaust the seals should be ok, also make sure the engine oil doesn't smell burnt.

 

[masseyrider]

I had a 243 and it was a good tractor. Only issue I had was the engine sounded like a can of rocks until it hit operating temp. Something to do with emissions. Neighbour had a 263 without any problems. We also had the earlier 253 model that was turboed and had no issues, 10 years + and 3000 hrs. Currently have 2 563s that are turboed without any issue. Maintenance is your friend. Regular oil changes, allowing it to wind down when hot and give it time to cool. I find 2-3 minutes idle around 850-900 plenty. :thumbsup:

 

[mauricem]

My 253 has 7500 hours on it and original turbo is still fine, the first 7200 hours of its life were on a flat golf course so it was probably never worked that hard.