OMCB10004

Engine Troubleshooting

NOTE: Before troubleshooting the engine, first retrieve any fault codes on the diagnostic gauge display and perform the corrective actions. (See earlier in this section.) If any problems remain, use the following charts to solve engine problems.

Symptom	Problem	Solution
Engine Will Not Crank	Weak battery	Replace battery.
	Corroded or loose battery connections	Clean battery terminals and connections.
	Defective main switch or start safety switch	Repair switch as required.
	Starter solenoid defective	Replace solenoid.
	Starter defective	Replace starter.

Hard to Start or Will Not Start	Poor fuel quality	Drain fuel and replace with quality fuel of the proper grade.
	Slow cranking speed	Check for problem in the charging/starting system.
	Too high viscosity crankcase oil	Drain crankcase oil and replace with correct viscosity oil.
	Electronic Control System Problem or Basic Engine Problem	See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.

Engine Misfiring or Runs Irregularly

Electronic Control System problem or basic engine problem

See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.

Lack of Engine Power	Poor fuel quality	Drain fuel and replace with quality fuel of the proper grade.
	Plugged fuel filter	Replace fuel filters.
	Engine overloaded	Reduce engine load.
	Improper crankcase oil	Drain crankcase oil and replace with correct viscosity oil.
	Electronic Control System problem or basic engine problem	See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.

Black or Gray Exhaust Smoke	Engine overloaded	Reduce engine load.
	Engine burning oil	See , later in this section.
	Air cleaner restricted or dirty	Replace air cleaner element as required.
	Defective muffler/exhaust piping (causing back-pressure)	Replace muffler or defective piping.
	Electronic Control System problem or basic engine problem	See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.

White Exhaust Smoke	Engine compression too low	Determine cause of low compression and repair as required. See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.
	Defective thermostat(s) (does not close)	Test thermostats; replace thermostats as required.
	Coolant entering combustion chamber (failed cylinder head gasket or cracked cylinder head)	Repair or replace as required. See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.
	Electronic Control System problem or basic engine problem	See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.

Engine Idles Poorly	Poor fuel quality	Drain fuel and replace with quality fuel of the proper grade.
	Air leak on suction side of air intake system.	Check hose and pipe connections for tightness; repair as required.
	Electronic control system problem or basic engine problem	See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.

Excessive Fuel Consumption	Engine overloaded	Reduce engine load.
	Air cleaner restricted or dirty	Replace air cleaner element as required.
	Compression too low	Determine cause of low compression and repair as required.
	Leaks in fuel supply system	Locate source of leak and repair as required.
	Improper type of fuel.	Use proper type of fuel.
	Poor fuel quality	Drain fuel and replace with quality fuel of the proper grade.
	Improper valve clearance.	See your authorized servicing dealer or engine distributor.
	Fuel injectors defective.	See your authorized servicing dealer or engine distributor.
	High pressure fuel pump out of time.	See your authorized servicing dealer or engine distributor.
	Improper turbocharger operation.	Inspect turbocharger. See your authorized servicing dealer or engine distributor.
	Low engine temperature.	Check thermostats.

Fuel in Oil

Cracked cylinder head

Locate crack, repair/replace components as required. See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.

Low-Pressure System - Fuel Pressure Low	Plugged fuel filter	Replace fuel filter.
	Restricted fuel line	Locate restriction, repair as required.
	Faulty high-pressure fuel pump	Remove fuel pump, repair/replace pump as required. See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.

Abnormal Engine Noise NOTE: Variable geometry turbocharger recycles after starting engine, causing a momentary revving sound in the engine. This is normal. Do not confuse the whine heard during turbocharger run down with noise which indicates a bearing failure. The whine heard during turbocharger run down is normal.	Worn main or connecting rod bearings	Determine bearing clearance. See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.
	Excessive crankshaft end play	Check crankshaft end play. See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.
	Loose main bearing caps	Check bearing clearance; replace bearings and bearing cap screws as required. See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.
	Worn connecting rod bushings and piston pins	Inspect piston pins and bushings. See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.
	Scored pistons	Inspect pistons. See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.
	Worn timing gears or excess backlash	Check timing gear back lash. See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.
	Excessive valve clearance	Check and adjust valve clearance. See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.
	Worn camshaft lobes	Inspect camshaft. See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.
	Worn rocker arm shaft(s)	Inspect rocker arm shafts. See your John Deere engine distributor or servicing dealer.
	Insufficient engine lubrication	See , later in this section.
	Turbocharger noise	See , later in this section.

Engine emits white smoke	Improper type of fuel.	Use proper fuel.
	Low engine temperature.	Warm up engine to normal operating temperature.
	Defective thermostat.	Remove and check thermostat.
	Defective fuel injectors.	See your authorized servicing dealer or engine distributor.
	High pressure fuel pump out of time.	See your authorized servicing dealer or engine distributor.

Engine emits black or gray exhaust smoke	Improper type of fuel.	Use proper fuel.
	Clogged or dirty air cleaner.	Service air cleaner.
	Engine overloaded.	Reduce load.
	Fuel injectors dirty.	See your authorized servicing dealer or engine distributor.
	High pressure fuel pump out of time.	See your authorized servicing dealer or engine distributor.
	Turbocharger not functioning.	See your authorized servicing dealer or engine distributor.

Engine Overheats	Engine overloaded.	Reduce load.
	Low coolant level.	Fill radiator to proper level, check radiator and hoses for loose connections or leaks.
	Faulty radiator cap.	Have technician check.
	Stretched poly V-belt or defective belt tensioner.	Check automatic belt tensioner and check belts for stretching. Replace as required.
	Low engine oil level.	Check oil level. Add oil as required.
	Cooling system needs flushing.	Flush cooling system.
	Defective or wrong type of thermostats.	Remove and check thermostats.
	Defective temperature gauge or sender.	Check coolant temperature with thermometer and replace, if necessary.
	Incorrect grade of fuel.	Use correct grade of fuel.

JG50163,0000298-19-20120416