| Symptom | Problem | Solution |
Engine hard to start, will not start. | Fuel tank empty. | Add fuel and bleed fuel system. |
| | Water, dirt, or air in fuel system. | Drain, flush, fill, and bleed fuel system. |
| | Improper type or old fuel. | Consult fuel chart and use proper type of fuel for operating conditions. |
| | Plugged fuel filters. | Replace filter elements and bleed system. |
| | Plugged fuel tank strainer. | Drain fuel tank, remove and clean tank strainer. |
| | Low battery output. | Check battery voltage. Clean battery. Charge if necessary. |
| | Excessive resistance in starting circuit. | Clean and tighten all connections on battery and starter. |
| | Hydro linkage improperly adjusted. | Adjust hydro linkage. |
| | Safety switch not activated. | Move multifunction control handle to neutral. Inspect switch. |
| | Solenoid disconnected. | Check wiring. |
| | Fuel pump primer lever position. | Place lever in down position. |
| | Faulty injection pump solenoid. | Replace solenoid. |
| | Crankcase oil of too heavy viscosity. | Drain and fill crankcase with John Deere Plus-50 II oil of proper viscosity and quality. |
| | Low compression. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Sticking valves. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Dirty or faulty injectors. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Cold weather. | Use cold weather starting aids. |
Engine knocks. | Clogged air intake. | Service air filters. Check air intake for restrictions. |
| | Air in fuel system. | Clean and bleed fuel system. |
| | Low coolant temperature. | Incorrect or defective thermostat. |
| | Insufficient oil. | Add oil of proper viscosity and quality. |
| | Injection nozzle valve sticking. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Injection pump out of time. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Loose or failed main bearing or connecting rod bearing, worn pistons and cylinders. | See your John Deere dealer. |
Engine runs irregularly or stalls frequently. | Low fuel level. | Add fuel and check system. |
| | Clogged fuel filters. | Replace filter element and bleed system. |
| | Plugged fuel tank strainer. | Drain fuel tank, remove and clean tank strainer. |
| | Water, dirt or air in fuel system. | Drain, flush, fill and bleed system. Tighten fuel connections. |
| | Low coolant temperature. | Run engine until sufficiently warm; also check thermostat. |
| | Solenoid wire loose. | Check wiring. |
| | Dirty or faulty injectors. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Injection pump out of time. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Injection pump speed advance. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Bent push rods or sticky valves. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Fuel tank vent obstructed. | Clean vent in solvent, then blow dry. |
Lack of power. | Engine overload. | Reduce load. |
| | Intake air restrictions. | Service air cleaner. Check air intake for restrictions. |
| | Throttle position or selected speed range. | Use proper throttle position and speed range. |
| | Clogged fuel filters. | Replace filter element and bleed system. |
| | Plugged fuel tank strainer. | Drain fuel tank, remove and clean tank strainer. |
| | Contamination in fuel tank. | Clean out fuel tank and clean fuel strainer. |
| | Unsatisfactory fuel. | Use fresh fuel of proper type. |
| | Overheated engine. | See Engine Overheats in this section. |
| | Improper thermostat. | Change to proper thermostat. |
| | High altitude operation. | Engine loses horsepower with increase in altitude. Use proper type of fuel for high altitude. |
| | Dirty or faulty injectors. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Injection pump out of time. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Automatic advance not working. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Improper valve clearance. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Turbocharger not functioning. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Restricted fuel line. | Clean or replace fuel line. |
Engine overheats. | Engine overloaded. | Reduce load. |
| | Loose or defective fan belt. | Replace belt. |
| | Low coolant level. | Fill radiator with coolant to the proper level. Check hoses and radiator for leaks or loose connections. |
| | Dirty cooling system radiator core, air conditioning condenser or engine side screens. | Remove all foreign matter from exterior or radiator core, air conditioning condenser and screens. Steam clean if necessary. |
| | Cooling system internally restricted. | Drain and flush cooling system. |
| | Defective thermostat, pressure cap, switch or gauge. | Remove and check. |
| | Low engine oil level. | Check oil level. Add as necessary. |
| | Wrong oil viscosity. | Change to proper oil viscosity. |
| | Engine timed too late. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Defective thermostats. | Replace thermostats. |
| | Leaking head gasket. | See your John Deere dealer. |
Engine uses too much oil. | Oil leaks or engine overheating. | Check for leaks in lines and around gaskets and drain plugs. |
| | Restricted air intake system. | Check air cleaner and swab out air intake. |
| | Too low viscosity crankcase oil. | Drain and fill crankcase with oil of proper viscosity and quality. |
| | Excessive engine speed. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | High oil pressure. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Scored pistons, stuck rings or worn valve guides. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Internal parts worn. | See your John Deere dealer. |
Engine emits black or gray exhaust smoke. | Improper fuel type. | Use proper type of fuel for operating conditions. |
| | Engine overloaded. | Reduce load. |
| | Clogged or dirty air cleaner. | Check air cleaner for restrictions. Be sure filter element is clean. |
| | Dirty or faulty injectors. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Air in fuel system. | Bleed fuel system. Check all connections and fuel tank level. |
| | Defective muffler. | Check the muffler for possible damage which might create back pressure. Clean muffler. |
| | Engine out of time. | Make sure injection pump is timed properly. (See your John Deere dealer.) |
Engine emits white exhaust smoke. | Cold engine. | Warm engine to normal operating temperatures. |
| | Clogged or dirty air cleaner. | Service air cleaner. |
| | Improper type of fuel. | Low octane fuel will cause misfiring. Use only fuel which has recommended cetane or octane number. |
| | Injection nozzles dirty. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Thermostat defective or too cold. | Remove and check thermostat. |
| | Turbocharger not functioning. | See your John Deere dealer. |
| | Engine out of time. | Make sure injection pump is timed properly. (See your John Deere dealer.) |
Starter cranks slowly or will not crank. | Loose or corroded harness or battery connections. | Clean and tighten loose connections. |
| | Low battery output. | Use voltmeter to check state of charge. |
| | Safety switch not activated. | Move multifunction control handle lever to neutral. |
| | Starter solenoid defective. | Repair or replace, if necessary. |