Flushing and Refilling Cooling System

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High-Pressure Fluids

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Radiator Cap

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

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

NOTE: When John Deere COOL-GARD is used, the drain interval is 3000 hours or 36 months. The drain interval may be extended to 5000 hours or 60 months of operation, provided that the coolant is tested annually AND additives are replenished, as needed, by adding a supplemental coolant additive (SCA).

If COOL-GARD is not used, the flushing interval is 2000 hours or 24 months of operation.

Drain old coolant, flush the entire cooling system, test thermostats, and fill with recommended clean coolant per the following procedure.

1. Pressure test entire cooling system and pressure cap if not previously done. (See PRESSURE TESTING COOLING SYSTEM, in the Lubrication and Maintenance/500 Hour/12 Month Section.)

2. Slowly open the engine cooling system filler cap or radiator cap (A) to relieve pressure and allow coolant to drain faster.

3. 
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   Engine Block Drain Valve

   A - Engine Block Drain Valve

   Open engine block drain valve (A) on left side of engine. Drain all coolant from engine block.

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4. Open radiator drain valve. Drain all coolant from radiator.

5. Remove thermostats at this time, if not previously done. Install cover (without thermostats) using old gasket and tighten cap screws to 47 N˙m (35 lb-ft).

6. Test thermostat opening temperature. (See Inspecting Thermostats And Testing Opening Temperature in Service As Required Section.)

7. Close all drain valves after coolant has drained.

8. CAUTION: Do not run engine longer than 10 minutes. Doing so may cause engine to overheat which may cause burns when radiator water is draining.

   Fill the cooling system with clean water. Run the engine about 10 minutes to stir up possible rust or sediment.

9. Stop engine, pull off lower radiator hose and remove radiator cap. Immediately drain the water from system before rust and sediment settle.

10. After draining water, close drain valves. Reinstall radiator cap and radiator hose and clamp. Fill the cooling system with clean water and a heavy duty cooling system cleaner such as Fleetguard® RESTORE™ and RESTORE PLUS™. Follow manufacturer's directions on label.

11. After cleaning the cooling system, drain cleaner and fill with water to flush the system. Run the engine about 10 minutes, remove radiator cap and pull off lower radiator hose to drain out flushing water.

12. Close all drain valves on engine and radiator. Reinstall radiator hose and tighten clamps securely. Install thermostats using a new gasket. (See TESTING THERMOSTATS OPENING TEMPERATURE later in this section.)

    IMPORTANT: Air must be expelled from cooling system when system is refilled. Loosen temperature sending unit fitting at rear of cylinder head or plug in thermostat housing to allow air to escape when filling system. Retighten fitting or plug after filling cooling system.

13. Add coolant to radiator until coolant touches bottom of filler neck. (See “Coolant Capacity” in GENERAL OEM ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS in Specifications section.) Install radiator cap.

14. Run engine until it reaches operating temperature. This mixes the solution uniformly and circulates it through the entire system. See Specifications section for normal engine coolant temperature range.

15. After running engine, check coolant level and entire cooling system for leaks.

16. Inspect the fan belt for wear and check belt tension. (See Checking Belt Tensioner Spring Tension and Belt Wear in Lubrication and Maintenance 500 Hour/12 Month section.