Draining, Flushing, and Refilling Cooling System

IMPORTANT: Thermostat(s), thermostat gasket, and de-aeration tank cap must be replaced whenever system is flushed.

INITIAL change interval is 6 years or 6000 hours, provided cooling system is topped off using only John Deere™ COOL-GARD™ II and premix and coolant is tested at recommended intervals. After initial service, the SCHEDULED interval (2 years or 2000 hours) can be extended up to 6 years or 6000 hours depending on coolant used and if coolant is tested at recommended intervals. Follow recommendations in ”Drain Intervals for Diesel Engine Coolant” in Fuels, Lubricants, and Coolant section of this manual.

NOTE: When service is performed on cooling system, make sure to check coolant daily for the next three days of operation. The most effective way to check coolant level is when the tractor is cool. If coolant is low, fill de-aeration tank to mark on tank.

CAUTION: Explosive release of fluids from pressurized cooling system can cause serious burns.

Shut off engine. Only remove cap when cool enough to touch with bare hands. Slowly loosen cap to first stop to relieve pressure before removing completely.

  1. Park tractor, turn ignition key to off and allow radiator to cool.

  2. Open hood and remove both front and rear side panels on the left and right side.

  3. TS281
    TS281-UN-23AUG88

    RXA0110623
    RXA0110623-UN-02SEP10

    Turn Key to Run

    RXA0110621
    RXA0110621-UN-02SEP10

    Standard HVAC Shown

    RXA0111177
    RXA0111177-UN-09FEB11

    Remove De-aeration Cap

    A - Run

    B - Temperature Knob

    C - De-aeration Cap

    Turn key to Run (A), then turn temperature knob (B) to highest setting.

    NOTE: Throughout the draining, flushing and filling procedure, turn temperature knob to highest setting and leave set to the highest setting to ensure that fluids are drained from heating/air conditioning unit. If either temperature knob is not set to highest setting or ignition key is not turned to Run, system will not completely drain.

    See your John Deere™ dealer for recommendations on cleaning solutions.


  4. Remove de-aeration tank cap (C).

  5. Open radiator drain valve (A) and drain coolant into catch pan.

    TS281
    TS281-UN-23AUG88

    Safety--Explosive Release of Fluids

    RXA0111175
    RXA0111175-UN-21DEC10

    Open Radiator Drain Valve

    RXA0111178
    RXA0111178-UN-14OCT10

    Engine Drain Valve—9.0 L (Left Side of Engine Shown)

    RXA0112681
    RXA0112681-UN-15DEC10

    Engine Drain Valve—6.8 L (Right Side of Engine Shown)

    A - Radiator Drain Valve

    B - Engine Drain Valve


  6. Open engine drain valve (B) and drain coolant into catch pan.

  7. Remove thermostat(s).

    For 6.8 L Engine:

    1. RXA0112470
      RXA0112470-UN-14DEC10

      6.8 L Shown

      RXA0112472
      RXA0112472-UN-14DEC10

      6.8 L Thermostats

      A - Hose Clamp

      B - Radiator Hose

      C - Cap Screws

      D - Support Bracket

      E - Hose Clamp

      F - Radiator Hose

      G - Line to Venturi

      H - Line to Turbo Actuator

      I - Cap Screws

      J - Support Bracket

      K - Line to EGR

      L - Cap Screws

      M - Housing

      N - Thermostats

      O - Seals

      Remove hose clamp (A) and slide radiator hose (B) off thermostat housing (M).
    2. Remove cap screws (C) and support bracket (D).
    3. Remove hose clamp (E) and radiator hose (F).NOTE: Removal of the adapter fitting beneath radiator hose (F) may be necessary to reach other components attached to thermostat housing (M).
    4. Remove venturi line (G), turbo actuator line (H), and EGR line (K).
    5. Remove cap screws (I) and support bracket (J).
    6. Remove cap screws (L) and lift off thermostat housing (M).
    7. Remove old thermostats (N), seals (O), and clean sealing area.NOTE: During draining, filling, and flushing, coolant system will not have thermostat(s) installed.

      For 9.0 L Engine:

      RXA0112466
      RXA0112466-UN-14DEC10

      9.0 L Shown

      RXA0112468
      RXA0112468-UN-14DEC10

      9.0 L Thermostat

      A - Hose Clamp

      B - Radiator Hose

      C - Cap Screws

      D - Coolant Bypass Tube

      E - Cap Screws

      F - Thermostat Housing

      G - Thermostat

      H - Seal

      I - Thermostat Housing

    1. Loosen hose clamp (A) and slide radiator hose (B) off thermostat housing (F).
    2. Remove cap screw (C) and remove coolant bypass tube (D).
    3. Remove cap screws (E) and remove thermostat housing (F).
    4. Remove old thermostat (G), seal (H) from housing (I), and clean sealing area.NOTE: During draining, filling, and flushing, coolant system will not have thermostat(s) installed.


  8. For All Engines

    Install new gasket and housing. Tighten cap screws to specifications.

    ItemMeasurementSpecification
    Thermostat Housing Cap ScrewsTorque48 N·m (35 lb-ft)

  9. Replace previously removed hoses, brackets, and cap screws.

  10. Close engine drain valve, and radiator drain valve.

  11. Dispose of old coolant in accordance with local laws and ordinances.

  12. NOTE: See your John Deere™ dealer for recommendations on cleaning solutions.

    Fill high-pressure coolant system at de-aeration tank with cooling system cleaning solution.

  13. Install de-aeration cap and close hood.

    IMPORTANT: Make sure that side panels are installed and hood is closed before starting engine.

  14. Start engine and run at a minimum of 1500 rpm for 15 minutes.

  15. Shut off engine and allow cleaning solution to cool.

  16. Make sure that temperature knob is turned to highest setting, then turn key to Run position.

  17. Open hood, remove de-aeration cap, put drain pans in place, then open radiator and engine drain valves.

    CAUTION: Explosive release of fluids from pressurized cooling system can cause serious burns.

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

    TS281
    TS281-UN-23AUG88


  18. Allow cooling system to completely drain.

  19. Close engine drain valve, and radiator drain valve.

  20. Dispose of cleaning solution in accordance with local laws and ordinances.

  21. Fill high-pressure coolant system at de-aeration tank with clean water.

  22. Install de-aeration cap and close hood.

  23. Start engine and run for a minimum of 1500 rpm for 15 minutes.

  24. Shut off engine and allow clean water to cool.

  25. Make sure that temperature knob is turned to highest setting, then turn key to Run position.

  26. Open hood, remove de-aeration cap, put drain pans in place, then open radiator and engine drain valves.

    CAUTION: Explosive release of fluids from pressurized cooling system can cause serious burns.

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

  27. Allow radiator to drain completely.

  28. Remove hose clamp, hoses, cap screws, thermostat housing, and gasket.

  29. Inspect sealing area to ensure that it is clean.

  30. Apply light coat of RTV silicone sealant to new gasket.

  31. Install new thermostat(s), new gasket, and housing. Tighten cap screws to specifications.

    ItemMeasurementSpecification
    Thermostat Housing Cap ScrewsTorque48 N·m (35 lb-ft)

  32. Replace previously removed hoses, clamps, cap screws, and brackets.

  33. Close engine drain valve and radiator drain valve.

  34. Dispose of drained water in accordance with local laws and ordinances.

  35. Fill high-pressure coolant system at de-aeration tank with new coolant solution. Make sure that temperature knob is turned to highest setting, then turn key to Run position.

    IMPORTANT: Make sure that side panel is installed and hood is closed before starting engine.

  36. Install de-aeration cap and close hood, start engine and run for 15 minutes at a minimum of 1500 rpm.

    NOTE: Coolant may seep out of the de-aeration tank overflow vent as air is purged from the coolant system.

    Level may change when tractor is running or during the next few starts.

    It is highly recommended that the cooling system is checked for leaks after draining, flushing, and refilling to ensure tractor performance. Consult your John Deere™ dealer for procedure and appropriate tools.

  37. Monitor coolant level for next several hours/overnight. Refill de-aeration tank as required.

John Deere is a trademark of Deere & Company
COOL-GARD is a trademark of Deere & Company

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