Service Engine

Engine Warranty Maintenance Statement

Maintenance, repair, or replacement of the emission control devices and systems on this engine, which are being done at the customers expense, may be performed by any non-road engine repair establishment or individual. Warranty repairs must be performed by an authorized John Deere dealer.

Avoid Fumes

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Engine exhaust fumes contain carbon monoxide and can cause serious illness or death.

Do not run an engine in an enclosed area, such as a garage, even with doors or windows opened.

Move the machine to an outside area before running the engine.

Engine Oil

Use oil viscosity based on the expected air temperature range during the period between oil changes.

The following John Deere oils are preferred:

• TURF-GARD™

• PLUS- 4™

Other oils may be used if above John Deere oils are not available, provided they meet the following specification:

• API Service Classification SG or higher

Checking Engine Oil Level


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Failure to check the oil level regularly could lead to serious engine problems if oil level is low: • Check oil level before operating. • Check oil level when the engine is cold and not running. • Keep level between the FULL and the ADD marks. • Shut off engine before adding oil.

NOTE: Check oil twice a day if you run engine over 4 hours in a day.

Make sure engine is cold when checking engine oil level.

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)

2. Lift hood.

3. Clean area around dipstick to prevent debris from falling into crankcase.

MX16566

Picture Note: Twin cylinder engine shown.

4. Remove dipstick (A). Wipe with clean cloth.

5. Install and tighten dipstick.

6. Remove dipstick.

7. Check oil level on dipstick. Oil must be between ADD and FULL marks.

8. If oil level is low, add oil to bring oil level no higher than FULL mark on dipstick. Do not overfill.

9. Install and tighten dipstick. Lower hood.

Changing Engine Oil and Filter


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Change the oil more often if the vehicle is used in extreme conditions: • Extremely dusty conditions. • Frequent slow or low-speed operation. • Frequent short trips.

1. Run engine to warm oil.

2. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)

3. Lift hood.

MX16566

Picture Note: Twin cylinder engine shown.

4. Put drain pan under drain valve (A).

5. Rotate and remove drain cap (B) and drain oil into oil drain pan. Allow oil to drain completely.

6. Remove dipstick (C).

MX16567

Picture Note: Twin cylinder engine shown.

7. Replace oil filter (D), if equipped.

a. Wipe dirt from around oil filter.

b. Place a drain pan or funnel under filter tray.

c. Remove old filter and filter gasket and dispose of properly. Wipe up any spilled oil.

d. Put a light coat of fresh, clean oil on the new filter gasket.

e. Install replacement oil filter by turning oil filter to the right (clockwise) until the rubber gasket contacts filter base. Tighten filter an additional one-half turn.

8. Install drain cap.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Do not overfill. Overfilling can cause smoking, hard starting, fouling of spark plug, and oil saturation of air filter.

9. Add oil no higher than FULL mark on dipstick. Use approximately the amount of oil listed in the Specifications section. Do not overfill.

10. Install dipstick.

11. Start and run engine at idle to check for leaks. Stop engine. Fix any leaks before operating.

12. Check oil level. Add oil if necessary.

Cleaning Air Intake Screen and Engine Fins

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Compressed air can cause debris to fly a long distance.

• Clear work area of bystanders.

• Wear eye protection when using compressed air for cleaning purposes.

• Reduce compressed air pressure to 210 kPa (30 psi).


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! An obstructed air intake screen can cause engine damage due to overheating. Keep air intake screen and other external surfaces of the engine, including cooling fins, clean at all times to allow adequate air intake.

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)

2. Lift hood.

MX16567

Picture Note: Twin cylinder engine shown.

3. Clean air intake screen (A), cooling fins and external surfaces with rag, brush, vacuum or compressed air.

4. Lower hood.

Checking and Cleaning Air Cleaner Elements (Single Cylinder Briggs & Stratton)

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)

2. Let engine cool.

3. Lift hood.

4. Clean dirt and debris from the air cleaner cover.

MX7680

5. Lift latch (A) to unlock cover (B). Lift cover forward and remove.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Dirt and debris can enter the engine through a damaged filter element: • Do not wash paper element. • Do not attempt to clean paper element by tapping against another object. • Do not use pressurized air to clean element. • Replace element only if it is very dirty, damaged or the seal is cracked.

MX7679

6. Inspect the foam precleaner (C) without removing it. If the foam precleaner is dirty:

a. Remove it from the filter carefully, leaving the paper element (D) in the air cleaner housing.

b. Wash precleaner in a solution of warm water and liquid detergent. Do not use oil.

c. Rinse precleaner thoroughly. Squeeze out excess water in a dry cloth until precleaner is completely dry.

7. Inspect the paper filter element (D) without removing it. If the paper filter element is damaged or dirty:

• Carefully remove the element from the air cleaner housing.

8. Clean air cleaner base very carefully, preventing any dirt from falling into carburetor.

9. Install new paper filter element.

10. Install foam precleaner on paper filter element.

11. Install air cleaner cover and push latch down to lock.

12. Lower hood.

Checking and Cleaning Air Cleaner Elements (Twin Cylinder Briggs & Stratton)

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)

2. Let engine cool.

3. Lift hood.

4. Clean dirt and debris from the air cleaner cover.

MX16567

5. Loosen four knobs (A) and remove cover.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To prevent engine damage, do not allow any foreign objects to fall into the carburetor air intake.

M96094

6. Do not drop anything into the carburetor air intake (B). If anything falls into the carburetor air intake it must be removed.

7. Lift out filter cartridge (C) and inspect it for damage.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Dirt and debris can enter the engine through a damaged filter element: • Do not wash paper element. • Do not attempt to clean paper element by tapping against another object. • Do not use pressurized air to clean element. • Replace element only if it is very dirty, damaged or the seal is cracked.

8. Inspect the foam precleaner (D) without removing it. If the foam precleaner is dirty:

a. Remove it from the filter carefully.

b. Wash precleaner in a solution of warm water and liquid detergent.

c. Rinse precleaner thoroughly. Squeeze out excess water in a dry cloth until precleaner is completely dry.

9. Clean air cleaner housing carefully. Prevent any dirt from falling into carburetor.

10. Install foam precleaner mesh side up.

11. Install cartridge. Make sure cartridge and seal are properly seated and sealing the carburetor air intake area.

12. Install air cleaner cover and tighten knobs. Do not overtighten.

13. Lower hood.

Checking Spark Plug

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)

2. Let engine cool.

3. Lift hood.

MX16567

Picture Note: Twin cylinder engine shown.

4. Disconnect spark plug wire(s) (A), one on each side on V-twin engines.

5. Remove spark plug(s).

6. Clean spark plug carefully with a wire brush.

7. Inspect spark plug for:

• Cracked porcelain.

• Pitted or damaged electrodes.

• Other wear or damage.

8. Replace spark plug as necessary.

M85200

9. Check plug gap (B) with a wire feeler gauge. To change gap, move the outer electrode.

• Gap must be 0.76 mm (0.030 in.).

10. Install and tighten spark plugs to 20 N•m (15 lb-ft).

11. Connect spark plug wires and lower hood.

Adjusting Carburetor

NOTE: Carburetor is calibrated by the engine manufacturer and is not adjustable.

If engine is operated at altitudes above 1829 m (6,000 ft), some carburetors may require a special high altitude main jet. See your authorized dealer.

If engine is hard to start or runs rough, check the TROUBLESHOOTING section of this manual.

Possible engine surging will occur at high throttle with transmission in “N” neutral and mower engagement lever disengaged. This is a normal condition due to the emission control system.

After performing the checks in the troubleshooting section and your engine is still not performing correctly, contact your authorized dealer.

Replacing Fuel Filter

NOTE: Change filter when fuel is low.

1. Park machine safely. (See Parking Safely in the SAFETY section.)

2. Let engine cool.

3. Lift hood.

4. Handle fuel safely. (See Handling Fuel Safely in the SAFETY section.)

5. Put a drain pan under fuel filter.

MX13768b

6. Slide hose clamps (A) away from fuel filter (B) using a pliers.

7. Disconnect hoses from filter, and raise fuel lines vertically to avoid fuel drainage.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Incorrect installation of fuel filter may cause engine damage. Install the filter with the arrow pointing in the direction of fuel flow for proper operation.

8. Connect hoses to new filter making sure the filter arrow is pointed in the direction of the fuel flow.

9. Install clamps and check for leaks.

10. Lower hood.

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