Servicing Cooling System

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Follow all service procedures exactly. If not equipped to perform this work, see your John Deere dealer for service.


Prepare Vehicle

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

  2. Raise cargo box.

  3. Tip seats forward.

  4. Open hood.

  5. Remove storage tray.

  6. Remove side panels. (See Removing and Installing Side Panels in SERVICE MISCELLANEOUS.)

  7. Remove seat closeout panel. (See Removing and Installing Seat Closeout Panel in SERVICE MISCELLANEOUS.)

  8. When the coolant system service is completed:

    • Install seat closeout panel.
    • Install side panels.
    • Install storage tray.
    • Close hood.
    • Tip seats back.
    • Lower cargo box.


Draining Cooling System

  1. CAUTION: Avoid injury! The radiator is hot and can burn skin. Built-up pressure can cause explosive release of coolant when the radiator cap is removed:

    • Shut off the engine and allow to cool.
    • Do not remove the cap unless the radiator and the engine are cool enough to touch with bare hands.
    • To release all pressure, slowly loosen the cap to the first stop. Then remove the cap.

    Make sure that the engine has cooled completely.

  2. MXT016453
    MXT016453-UN-12NOV15

    Slowly open radiator cap (A) to the first stop to release all pressure.



  3. Remove cap after all pressure is released.

  4. NOTE: Visually inspect hoses for cracks and wear. Squeeze hoses to check for deterioration. Hoses must not be hard and brittle, nor soft or swollen.

    Place a coolant drain pan under area where engine coolant hoses connect to intermediate tubes.

  5. MXT016454
    MXT016454-UN-12NOV15

    Loosen hose clamps (B), and disconnect coolant lines (C) from intermediate tubes.



  6. Route coolant lines over the drain pan and allow coolant to drain into the pan.

  7. To ensure complete drainage of coolant, raise front of vehicle.

  8. After all coolant has drained, lower front of vehicle and connect coolant lines (C).

  9. MXT016455
    MXT016455-UN-12NOV15

    Remove overflow hose (D) from recovery tank.



  10. Remove screw (E) and lift recovery tank out of machine.

  11. Remove cap (F) and empty recovery tank into drain pan.

  12. Check condition of all hoses. Replace as needed. Check all hose clamps and tighten as needed.

  13. Install recovery tank to machine frame with screw (E).

  14. IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Install overflow hose properly to ensure proper function of the cooling system. Position hose slightly above bottom of reservoir. Do not allow hose to contact bottom of reservoir or bend upwards out of the coolant.

    Install overflow hose (D) and cap (F).

  15. Fill and bleed cooling system.


Filling and Bleeding Cooling System

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Using incorrect coolant mixture can damage the radiator:

  • Do not operate engine without coolant or with plain water.
  • Do not exceed a 50% antifreeze mixture for the coolant.
  • Use antifreeze approved for use in aluminum engines.
  • Do not pour coolant or water into radiator when engine is hot.
  • Do not add Stop Leak or other additives.

NOTE: John Deere COOL-GARD™ coolant is recommended when adding coolant to the cooling system. Follow the directions on the container for correct mixture ratio.

  1. MXT016456
    MXT016456-UN-12NOV15

    Remove bleed valve screw (A).



  2. Remove radiator cap and add recommended coolant mixture to radiator until coolant runs out of bleed port.

  3. Install bleed valve screw and tighten.

  4. Add additional coolant mixture to radiator until coolant runs out of overflow port and into the recovery tank.

  5. Install radiator cap.

  6. IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Position hose slightly above bottom of recovery tank. Do not allow hose to contact bottom of recovery tank or bend upwards out of the coolant.

    Remove recovery tank cap and add coolant mixture to recovery tank until it is approximately half full.

  7. Install recovery tank cap.

  8. IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! If coolant temperature indicator comes on while engine is running, stop engine and add more coolant mixture to radiator.

    Start and run engine at medium speed until upper and lower radiator hoses have become warm (10 - 15 minutes). Warming engine ensures that the thermostat has opened and coolant is circulating.

  9. Allow engine to cool.

  10. Loosen bleed valve screw and allow air to bubble out until air bubbles are no longer visible at bleed port. Tighten bleed valve screw completely.

  11. Remove radiator cap and add recommended coolant mixture to radiator until coolant runs out of overflow port and into the recovery tank.

  12. Install radiator cap.

  13. Run engine until cooling fan starts, indicating the engine and coolant has reached operating temperature.

  14. Stop engine and remove key.

  15. Allow engine to cool and suction back any excess coolant from overflow recovery tank. Fill recovery tank to lower line, as needed.


Flushing Cooling System

  1. Drain cooling system.

  2. Prepare a cooling system flushing solution using clean water and John Deere Cooling System Cleaner, John Deere Cooling System Quick Flush, or an equivalent.

  3. Fill radiator completely with flushing solution. Install and tighten radiator cap.

  4. Start and run engine until it reaches operating temperature.

  5. Stop engine.

  6. CAUTION: Avoid injury! The radiator is hot and can burn skin. Built-up pressure can cause explosive release of coolant when the radiator cap is removed:

    • Shut off the engine and allow to cool.
    • Do not remove the cap unless the radiator and the engine are cool enough to touch with bare hands.
    • To release all pressure, slowly loosen the cap to the first stop. Then remove the cap.

    To release system pressure, turn radiator cap slowly to the stop. Remove radiator cap.

  7. Drain cooling system immediately into a container before rust and dirt settle:

    • Disconnect coolant lines at intermediate tubes.

  8. After all solution has drained, connect coolant lines.

  9. Remove and clean recovery tank.

  10. Install the recovery tank.

  11. Fill cooling system with recommended coolant mixture.


COOL-GARD is a trademark of Deere & Company

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