Service Engine

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Engine exhaust fumes can cause sickness or death:

· If it is necessary to run an engine in an enclosed area, use an exhaust pipe extension to remove the fumes.

· Always try to work in a well ventilated area.

Engine Oil

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

The following oil is preferred:

· John Deere PLUS-50®

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The following oil is also recommended:

· John Deere TORQGARD SUPREME®

Other oils may be used if they meet one of the following:

· John Deere UNI-GARDTM

· API Service Classification CE

· API Service Classification CD

· CCMC Specification D5

· CCMC Specification D4

Viscosity grade SAE 15W-40 is preferred.

If John Deere PLUS-50 engine oil and a John Deere oil filter are used, the oil and filter service interval may be extended by 50 hours.

If diesel fuel exceeding 0.5% sulfur content is used, reduce the service interval for engine oil and filter by 50%.

Checking Engine Oil Level


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Engine must NOT be running.

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

1. Park on a level surface.

2. Stop the engine.

3. Check engine oil when oil is cold.

4. Lift the hood. (See Raising Hood in Service-Miscellaneous section)

5. Remove plenum.

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6. Clean around dipstick. Remove dipstick (A).

7. Install dipstick in tube.

8. Remove dipstick. Check oil level on dipstick.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! If oil level is BELOW ADD mark or ABOVE FULL mark, DO NOT run the engine.

9. Oil must be between ADD and FULL marks.

10. If oil level is low, add oil to bring oil level no higher than FULL mark on dipstick. (See Engine Oil in this section for correct oil.)

11. Install the dipstick. Lower the hood.

12. If oil level is above full mark, drain to the proper level. Determine cause of over-full condition and correct.

Changing Engine Oil And Filter

NOTE: Access to oil filter and drain plug is improved by disconnecting the center cutting unit from the lift arm and sliding it out of the way.

1. Run engine to warm the oil.

2. Park mower on level surface and lower cutting units.

3. Stop the engine. Lock the park brake and remove the key.

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4. Remove drain plug (A) to drain oil.

5. Remove oil filter (B) (not shown). Turn filter counterclockwise to remove.

6. Apply a film of clean engine oil on seal of new filter.

7. Install filter. Turn filter until seal contacts mounting surface. Tighten 1/2-3/4 turn after gasket contact.

8. Install drain plug.

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9. Remove filler cap (C). Add approximately 2.4 L (2.5 qt) of oil. (See Engine Oil in this section for correct oil.)

10. Remove the dipstick (D) to check oil level.

11. Install and tighten the filler cap.

12. Run engine at slow speed 2 minutes. Check for leaks around filter.

13. Stop the engine and wait a couple of minutes. Check oil level. Add oil only to FULL mark on dipstick.

14. Install the dipstick.

Cleaning Plenum Air Intake Screens


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Plenum intake screen must be clear of dirt and debris to prevent engine from overheating.

1. Stop the engine. Lock the park brake and remove the key.

2. Raise the hood.

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3. Remove plenum (A) by lifting up and away from engine.

4. Clean plenum air intake screens (B) (top and sides) with brush or compressed air.

Checking Air Restriction Indicator

1. Stop the engine. Lock the park brake and remove the key.

2. Raise hood.

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3. Remove plenum (A).

NOTE: Indicator will not signal correctly if indicator case is cracked or broken.

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4. Check air restriction indicator: When yellow plunger (B) inside indicator shows in clear window, air cleaner requires immediate service. (See Replacing Air Cleaner Element in this section.)

5. Install plenum (A)

6. Lower the hood.

Replacing Air Cleaner Element


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! DO NOT clean primary air cleaner element, replace it when air restriction indicator reaches red line. DO NOT raise canister upward when removing primary and secondary elements. Dirt can fall into the intake manifold and could cause engine damage

1. Stop the engine.

2. Lock the park brake and remove the key.

3. Lift the hood.

4. Remove plenum.

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5. Unclip and remove air cleaner canister cover (A).

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6. Remove and discard old primary element (B).


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! DO NOT clean secondary element. Replace secondary element only every third primary element change, every two years, or when air restriction indicator shows yellow in the window, after replacing the primary element.

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7. Remove and discard if necessary the secondary element (C).

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8. Depress and release reset button (D) on bottom to reset air restriction indicator.

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9. Install secondary element (E). Push on securely.

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10. Install new primary element (F), push on securely.

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11. Install cover and engage latches (G).

12. Install plenum

13. Lower hood.

Clean Rubber Dust Unloading Valve


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Never operate engine without air cleaner elements and rubber dust unloading valve installed.

Remove rubber dust unloading valve (A) and clean. Replace if damaged.

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Service Cooling System Safely

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Explosive release of fluids from pressurized cooling system can cause serious burns:

· Shut off engine.

· Only remove filler cap when radiator is cool enough to touch with bare hands. Slowly loosen cap to first stop to relieve pressure before removing completely.

Engine Coolant


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To prevent engine damage: · DO NOT use pure antifreeze or more than 50% antifreeze in the cooling system. · DO NOT mix or add any other type additives to the cooling system.

Use ethylene glycol base coolant. These coolants usually have labels stating "For Automobile and Light Duty Service." These products are also often labeled for use in aluminum engines. Check container label before using.

Mix approximately 50 percent antifreeze with 50 percent distilled or deionized water. This mixture will provide freeze protection to -37 degrees C (-34 degrees F).

Certain geographical areas may require lower temperature protection. See the label on your antifreeze container or consult your John Deere distributor to obtain the latest information and recommendations.

The recommended antifreeze provides:

· Adequate heat transfer.

· Corrosion-resistant environment within the cooling system.

· Compatibility with cooling system hose and seal material.

· Protection during cold and hot weather operations.

Checking Coolant Level


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To prevent engine damage: · DO NOT operate engine without coolant. · DO NOT pour coolant into the radiator when the engine is hot. To prevent engine overheating: · Never exceed more than 50 percent antifreeze in cooling system. Cooling system capacity: 4.15 L (4.25 qt) plus 532 mL (18 oz.) in the overflow tank.

1. Lift hood.

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2. Check coolant level:

· If engine is warm, coolant should be between lines (A) and (B) on coolant tank.

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3. Remove cap (C) to add coolant.

4. If coolant is low, add ethylene glycol (without stop-leak additive) antifreeze and water in the ratio specified on the antifreeze container.

5. Install and tighten recovery tank cap.

6. Clean debris from air intake screen and radiator.

7. Check condition of hoses. Check for leaks or loose connections.

Draining Cooling System

1. Stop the engine and let it cool.

2. Raise the hood.

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3. Slowly remove radiator cap (A).

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4. Open radiator petcock (B). Drain coolant into a bucket.

5. After all coolant has drained, close radiator petcock.

6. Flush cooling system. (See Flushing Cooling System in this section.)

Flushing Cooling System

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Engine and coolant will be hot.

Turn radiator cap using a thick rag or glove to protect your hand.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To prevent engine damage: · DO NOT pour water into a hot engine. · DO NOT operate engine without coolant.

1. Fill cooling system with clean water and John Deere Cooling System Cleaner, or John Deere Cooling System Quick Flush or an equivalent. Follow directions on the can.

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2. Install and tighten radiator cap (A).

3. Start and run engine until it reaches operating temperature. Stop engine.

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4. Open radiator petcock (B) and drain the cooling system immediately before rust and dirt settle.

5. Close radiator petcock.

Filling Cooling System


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! To prevent engine damage: · DO NOT use straight antifreeze or more than 50% antifreeze in the cooling system. · DO NOT mix or add any other type additives to the cooling system. Cooling system capacity: 4.15 L (4.25 qt.).

1. Fill cooling system. For cold weather, use a solution of only ethylene glycol antifreeze (without a stop-leak additive) and clean, soft water. A chart on the antifreeze container tells how much antifreeze to use for the freeze protection needed in your area.

John Deere Cooling System Sealer or its equivalent may be added to the radiator to seal leaks. Do not use any other additives in the cooling system.

2. Install and tighten radiator cap.

3. Run engine until it reaches operating temperature.

4. Stop the engine.

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5. After the engine cools, check coolant level in recovery tank (A). Level should be up to H mark (B) on tank when engine is hot or L mark (C) on tank when engine is cold.

6. Remove cap (D) to add coolant if necessary.

7. Check condition of coolant system hoses. Install new hoses periodically. Tighten hose clamps regularly.

Checking Sediment Bowl

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Keep cigarettes, sparks, and flames away from fuel system. Be sure engine is cool.

Wait until fuel is low before replacing fuel filter OR be prepared to drain fuel into a safe container when disconnecting hose.

1. Stop the engine. Raise the hood.

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2. Check for water in sediment bowl (A): Orange ring will float on top of the water.

3. If necessary, clean bowl and replace filer. (See Cleaning Fuel Filter Sediment Bowl in this section).

Cleaning Fuel Filter Sediment Bowl

1. Raise the hood.

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2. Turn collar (A) to remove bowl and filter. Discard the filter.

3. Clean the bowl.

4. Install new filter and bowl.

5. Tighten collar.

6. Lower the hood.

Bleeding Fuel System

c CAUTION: Avoid injury! Escaping fluid under pressure can penetrate the skin causing serious injury. Avoid the hazard by relieving pressure before disconnecting hydraulic or other lines.


IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! DO NOT service injectors or injection pump. Special training and tools are required. See your John Deere distributor.

1. Stop the engine.

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2. Loosen bleed screws (A) and (B).

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3. Pump lever (C) until fuel flows from around screws.

4. Tighten screws when fuel flows free of bubbles.

5. Start the engine.

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6. If engine does not run smoothly, loosen three fuel line fittings (D) one at a time.

7. Tighten fittings when fuel flows free of bubbles.