MF 565 not starting - need troubleshoot ideas!

   / MF 565 not starting - need troubleshoot ideas! #1  

Hoej

New member
Joined
Apr 25, 2020
Messages
10
Tractor
Massey Ferguson 565
Hi,

We've got an old MF 565 that we use for raking, woodchipping, plowing and other less heavy duty tasks around our acreage. With my limited (but growing) knowledge of tractor engines I've been doing small repairs on the tractor if something has broken down. (A couple of months ago I had a scenario where a clogged up inline fuel hose was starving the engine of fuel. Whenever I put it slightly to work it would stall out. The inline hose was just old and I replaced it along with the inline filter, bled it. After that the tractor ran smoothly.)

While the tractor was idling on the field it started to give some "reverse bursts" of low rpm sounds, like there was a fuel issue. Nothing that sounded too worrying. I quickly (1-2 min) finished setting up the irrigation system on the field and started to drive the tractor home, and just at the end of the field the engine stalled. Now I won't start again. Luckily it was at the end of the field on a dirt road (although far away), so we could easily pull it home with our truck.

The engine is cranking, but it does sound a bit like it's not getting enough power. I have a new and newly charged battery on it. The tractor (only had it for 3 years) always had this slightly dragging/low battery sounding start.
If it was a battery issue then it shouldn't have just stalled like that or made weird sounds when idling.

The inline fuel filter (from the tank to the fuel lift pump) was clogged up with gunk real bad - and seems to have happened pretty quick, so the tank was needing a clean out. I've poured new fuel into the tank, and changed the inline fuel filter also (2x..) and now getting a nice and clean flow out from the tank hose. I replaced the big fuel filter (the one with the glass bowl underneath) and looking at the state of the bowl and the filter sediment it didn't really look too bad, and I'm not sure it was warranted but I did it anyway.

Then I found an issue with the fuel lift feeding pump where the pin suppressing the spring under the membrane (that's like a reverse T) had jumped out so the spring inside was unable to be pushed down. Put that in place.
I've been able to bleed the system easy, having no bubbles come out of either of the 2 holes, one at a time, and double cross bleeding if that makes sense. There's plenty of fuel going into the fuel injection pump from both lines as far as me taking the lines of the pump and pumping the lift pump manually. The pump runs as it should now.

With my limited knowledge I'm slowly trying to troubleshoot and do the next step. Because of it shutting down just while driving and obviously lots of gunk in the inline filter my next ideas are to check the injector pump and nozzles for gunk.. Maybe then look at the starter and solenoid-but it's cranking so not really the issue there right? but since it stalled then I don't think it's a starter issue (it's lower on the list of things to check first at least..).

Edit: the way the tractor stalled was pretty immediate. Not like low/starving on fuel and losing power. Although it had those weird low rpm sounds coming from it every 15 seconds or so.
 
Last edited:
   / MF 565 not starting - need troubleshoot ideas! #2  
Welcome to TBN
What type/brand injection pump does your tractor have.
 
   / MF 565 not starting - need troubleshoot ideas! #4  
Welcome to TBN. How does fuel get to the injection pump? Is it gravity fed or do you have a lift pump of some sort?
 
   / MF 565 not starting - need troubleshoot ideas!
  • Thread Starter
#5  
   / MF 565 not starting - need troubleshoot ideas! #6  
it should crank fast with a good battery, else, you have bad connections or a bad starter, they don't last forever..
 
   / MF 565 not starting - need troubleshoot ideas!
  • Thread Starter
#7  
it should crank fast with a good battery, else, you have bad connections or a bad starter, they don't last forever..
I agree with that. I would say it cranks medium. But that doesn't explain the sudden break-down on the field and all of a sudden being unable to start. After I've done the fuel injection clean up (if I can bloody figure out how to), then I will check the a) battery, b) connections and c) the starter. I just gotta figure out how to now. :D
 
   / MF 565 not starting - need troubleshoot ideas! #8  
If your tractors inj pump is similar to the type I'm acquainted with it will have a check valve like in 1st photo below. I suggest to remove lower fitting in photo to determine if check valve is clogged. 2nd photo is where supply line attaches & I've seen filters in that location.
 

Attachments

  • Annotation 2020-04-27 113217.png
    Annotation 2020-04-27 113217.png
    33.4 KB · Views: 80
  • Annotation 2020-04-27 112650.png
    Annotation 2020-04-27 112650.png
    41.6 KB · Views: 80
   / MF 565 not starting - need troubleshoot ideas!
  • Thread Starter
#9  
Alright, so I finally had time to go through it again. The other little tractor has been instead.

I I removed the fittings on the injector pump and cleaned them out. I also cleaned out the four nozzles and all the lines in between as good as I could. I got a new glass for the filter, since I accidentally chipped the old one a bit causing leakage. After assembling it all, I cranked it, and look and behold. It started, and even did really fast. How it was sounding/responding it was obviously a lack of diesel-issue. But thank you for the help.

Next is I want to clean up the starter and see if that will make it run smoother.
 

Tractor & Equipment Auctions

2015 Nissan Altima Sedan (A46684)
2015 Nissan Altima...
2018 Generac MLT6SM-STD3 6kW Towable Light Tower (A45336)
2018 Generac...
Set of Ag R4 Wheels and Tires (A48561)
Set of Ag R4...
John Deere WHP36A (A47307)
John Deere WHP36A...
2002 Genie S-65 65ft. 4x4 Telescopic Boom Lift (A45336)
2002 Genie S-65...
2001 Big Tex 10PI 16ft. T/A Pipe Top Utility Trailer (A45336)
2001 Big Tex 10PI...
 
Top