MF 230 Gas exhaust pipe "RED HOT"

TJ in KY · Feb 1, 2012

I have not seen this myself but my son called me the other day and said the pipe was RED HOT the other day when he was using it after dark. He said it had just been idling while he hooked up a carryall to move some wood. Is this normal, doesn't seem to me it should get RED HOT. could it be a carb adjustment or timing issue? I just dont know where to start!
Heading back out to the farm tomorrow just looking for some help or ideas, or maybe it is not a problem at all.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 1, 2012

They can get red hot, could be several things, thin muffler, obstructed muffler, burned valves, lean mixture, could be a problem, or not. Suggest a IR thermometer, to track heat, in the manifold, and pipe, and muffler.

Jon Hagen · Feb 1, 2012

Red hot exhaust system on a gas engine at less than full load, is usually caused by retarded ignition timing (timing is late enough so a great deal of the fuel is burning in the exhaust system instead of the cylinders.

Either the ignition timing is not set advanced enough, or the spark advance weights in the distributor are sticky / stuck, not allowing spark advance as engine speed increases.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 1, 2012

Saw this 40 years ago on a Landrover when I stopped at night and lifted the bonnet, did not affect the operation of the vehicle.There"s a fire in there, the darkness accentuates it.

Dean · Feb 1, 2012

Verify that the ignition timing is correct and that the mechanical advance is functioning properly.

Dean

Anonymous-0 · Feb 1, 2012

Old motorpool sgt. used to stand at the gate as we came through at night, next morning we had a list of trucks that needed timing set. Mostly CMC Hydro or White 5 sp. newest was 1963.

TJ in KY · Feb 2, 2012

Thanks for all replies, I will check timing and advance mechanism and report back what I find.

WJD · Feb 2, 2012

As the others have said it could be timing or carb. Sorry but I'm not familiar with MF tractors and don't know how old your model 230 is. The key questions are is it using too much fuel and does it have the power it should?

When I was growing up I plowed snow with an Allis WD until well after dark on zero deg nights (at least I remember it was very cold) and the exhaust pipe would get red hot, maybe even orange hot (hotter yet) down close to the hood.
It ran for years like this without any premature wear.

My guess is the exhaust pipe got this hot while doing field work during daytime hours but we never noticed.

My guess is the fuel systems and timing were not as accurate back when this tractor was built contributing to this issue.

Turbochargers get red hot on diesel tractors when worked hard. You don't hear much about it as the turbo is normally hidden under the hood and the operator does not see it.

These are my experiences, may or may not help you but may provide some insight.

TJ in KY · Feb 3, 2012

Thanks for all suggestions as to what to check for, I posted an update this morning but just wanted to thank all who replied, it was the timing, dont know how it got so far off but all is fine now.
thanks again

MF 230 Gas exhaust pipe "RED HOT"

TJ in KY

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Jon Hagen

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Dean

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TJ in KY

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