Engine life

37chief · May 21, 2012

I completely rebuilt the engine in my MF 203 with the three cylinder perkins. This was about 6 years ago. About how many hours can I expect from this motor? I put about 135 hrs a season cutting weeds with my 6 ft woods mower. I change the oil every 70-80 hrs. It uses very little oil between changes. Stan

Ultradog MN · May 21, 2012

Not an answer but a couple of questions.
How many hours did it have on it when you rebuilt it? And what was the final straw - so to speak - that made you decide it needed rebuilding? Also what all did you do when you "rebuilt" it? Grind the crank? Cam? rebore? new pistons? Valve guides or OS valve stems? All new bearings? Line Bore? Deck the block?
All of those things will affect the longevity of the engine. So it's a little hard to say how long one will last without knowing more about it.

John730D · May 21, 2012

If it was done right, it should get 5,000-10,000 hrs. if properly maintained.

Eldon (WA) · May 21, 2012

(quoted from post at 16:14:43 05/21/12) I completely rebuilt the engine in my MF 203 with the three cylinder perkins. This was about 6 years ago. About how many hours can I expect from this motor? I put about 135 hrs a season cutting weeds with my 6 ft woods mower. I change the oil every 70-80 hrs. It uses very little oil between changes. Stan

Gas or diesel??

gbs · May 21, 2012

if done right with no more hrs than your putting on it it will last a life time

Aaron SEIA · May 21, 2012

Pretty sure the 3 cyl Perkins is a diesel. Agree with the other posts 5,000 hours or better.
AaronSEIA

Eldon (WA) · May 21, 2012

(quoted from post at 18:14:02 05/21/12) Pretty sure the 3 cyl Perkins is a diesel. Agree with the other posts 5,000 hours or better.
AaronSEIA

I was thinking the 203 had the same engine options as the 135...which had the 3.152 Perkins Gas or Diesel, or the 4 cyl Z-145 Continental...I guess it only came with the diesel.

WJD · May 21, 2012

It all depends on load factor, operating conditions and maintenance. Seems like you are overmaintaining it on oil changes (does not hurt anything). Just don't let it idle for hours and hours on end and keep the air filter(s) clean. Try to keep short operations where it does not reach operating temperatures to a minimum. I think 5000 hours is a conservitive number but am not familiar with your tractor and operation. Use a multi viscosity oil formulated for diesel engines. Shell Rotella is a good choice. The main thing is to stay away from oils formulated for moderm car engines. The additive package is all wrong for diesel engines.

Anonymous-0 · May 21, 2012

If it was rebuilt and maintained properly, it should go for 10,000 hours plus. The 3 cylinder Perkins is arguably the best engine ever made in it's H.P. range. That's why any tractor with them is highly desirable.

dhermesc · May 22, 2012

I agree with that - especially if you are changing the oil that often.

buickanddeere · May 22, 2012

Let's change the engine oil every 50 hours and make it last twice as long.

buickanddeere · May 22, 2012

It's going to outlast you and your children if the coolant anti corrosion is kept to spec. Have to wonder about all these guys changing the oil long before it's contaminated. Yet they run depleted 20 year old anti- freeze or worse yet plain tap water. Anti-freeze mixed with tap water isn't good either. Wear occurs on startup and putting around until to coolant reaches 180F minimum with 195F and higher is better. Using a block heater will reduce wear better than over changing oil. Putting around with the engine at 1/2 rpm and lugging doesn't Increase engine life either.

Engine life

37chief

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Ultradog MN

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John730D

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Eldon (WA)

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gbs

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Aaron SEIA

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Eldon (WA)

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WJD

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Anonymous-0

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dhermesc

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buickanddeere

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buickanddeere

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