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 section.)

  2. Raise cargo box.

  3. Tip seats forward.

  4. Open hood.

  5. Remove storage tray.

  6. When the coolant system service is completed:

    • Install storage tray.
    • Close hood.
    • Tip seats back.
    • Lower cargo box.


Draining Cooling System

  1. Make sure engine has cooled completely.

  2. Place drain pan under engine.

  3. MXT014779
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    Slowly open radiator cap (A) to the first stop to release all pressure.


  4. Remove cap after all pressure is released.

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    Disconnect radiator hoses (B) from intermediate tubes.


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

  7. NOTE: Engine block drain screws may be black in color.

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    Loosen engine block drain screw (C) on left side of engine. Allow coolant to drain into a drain pan.


  8. After all coolant has drained, connect radiator hoses and tighten the engine block drain screw.

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    Remove overflow hose (D) from recovery tank.


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

  11. Remove cap 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 in machine and secure 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.
  • Use antifreeze approved for use in aluminum engines.
  • Do not exceed a 50% antifreeze mixture for the coolant.
  • 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.

IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Bleed screw uses a special aluminum seal washer. Do not lose or substitute with any other type of washer.

NOTE: Engine block bleed screw may be black in color.

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  1. Remove bleed screw and seal washer (G) located by carburetor.

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

  3. Install and tighten bleed screw with seal washer.

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

  5. Install radiator cap.

  6. IMPORTANT: Avoid damage! Installing suction hose incorrectly does not allow coolant into the coolant system. Do not allow bottom of hose to touch bottom of recovery tank or bend upwards out of 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), indicating thermostat has opened and coolant is circulating.

  9. Allow engine to cool.

  10. Loosen bleed screw and allow air to bubble out until air bubbles are no longer visible at bleed port. Tighten bleed 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 needed coolant from overflow recovery tank. Fill recovery tank as needed to lower line.


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! Engine and coolant is hot. Use a thick rag or gloves to protect your skin.

    Turn radiator cap slowly to the stop to release system pressure. Remove radiator cap.

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

    • Disconnect radiator hoses from engine.
    • Loosen engine block drain screws.

  8. After all solution has drained, connect radiator hoses and tighten engine block drain screws.

  9. Remove and clean recovery tank.

  10. Install the recovery tank.

  11. Fill cooling system with recommended coolant mixture.

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