Massey FE35, C23 Standard Diesel

The Standard engine had a starting problem from day one. Once you get it going, it smokes until it warms up, but runs almost forever. Smooth, lots of power, reasonably fuel efficient. Ours had probably 5000 hours on it and the crank was still standard size when I overhauled it. But the overhaul didn't help the starting!

Massey tried different things - kigas, thermostart, glow plugs, modified head, finally licked it by changing to Perkins.

The most effective solution we found was an electric heater - easiest to install in the lower rad hose. 200 watts or so. Probably a 600 watt one installed in the block would be more efficient, but the other works.

15 minutes on the hottest summer day, an hour in fall. You still need the thermostart or glow plugs, though.

Mine has been much better since I started using a thick engine oil. I usually run on 15W40 APICF4, but have found that on HD30 APICC it runs much better.

Is your thermostart working properly? I always need 10-20 seconds of heat to get mine going. Without this you will need easy start.

Diesel has to have that squirt of fuel, allright, but without proper compression to develop the air hot enough to explode the fuel, it's hopeless.

I would think if your pump were the problem, it wouldn't wait till the engine is kicking over to join the party. It would be there during cranking.

Solution: Crack the fuel line at the injector. Crank the engine. If you see fuel pfft pffting from under the nut, the pump is a pumpin. Don't forget to lock the nut back down. (Sometimes we forget the simple things.)

I'd add some MMO to the fuel or some kind of solvent to loosen the stuck rings if that's the problem. Cylinder walls will (should) fix themselves with a little wear.

Run it for a half hour or so (after installing MMO in the fuel tank...I'd put in like 2 oz per gallon of fuel this time) then put a load on it (plow) for a couple of hours and get the temp up.

Might be surprised at the difference in performance when finished. Of course you need to watch your engine temp. Doubt you'd overheat it but one never knows.
Mark