Servicing Cooling System

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. When the coolant system service is completed:

    • Close hood.
    • Tip seats back.
    • Lower cargo box.


Draining Cooling System

Avoid injury! The radiator will be hot and can burn skin. Built-up pressure may 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.
  • Slowly loosen the cap to the first stop to release all pressure. Then remove the cap.

  1. Make sure that engine has cooled completely.

  2. MXAL45702
    MXAL45702-UN-09APR13

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



  3. Remove cap after all pressure is released.

  4. MXAL45703
    MXAL45703-UN-09APR13

    Remove and retain screws (B) and skid plate (C) from machine.



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

    MXAL45704
    MXAL45704-UN-09APR13

    View from under right (passenger) side.

    Place a coolant drain pan under coolant lines (D).



  6. Loosen hose clamps (E), and disconnect coolant lines (D) from intermediate tubes (F).

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

  8. MXT013635
    MXT013635-UN-06APR15

    Remove coolant system bleed screw (G) and allow coolant to drain from engine.



  9. Avoid injury! The machine can fall or slip from an unsafe lifting device or supports.

    • Use a safe lifting device rated for the load to be lifted.
    • Lower machine onto jack stands or other stable supports and block wheels before servicing.

    Raise front of vehicle to ensure complete drainage of coolant.

  10. After all coolant has drained, lower front of vehicle, and connect radiator hoses (D). Install and tighten coolant system bleed screw.

  11. MXT013636
    MXT013636-UN-06APR15

    Remove overflow hose (H) from recovery tank.



  12. Remove screw (I) and lift recovery tank out of the machine.

  13. Remove cap (J) and empty recovery tank into drain pan.

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

  15. Install recovery tank in machine and secure with screw (I).

  16. 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 (H) and cap (J).

  17. Install skid plate with screws.

  18. Fill and bleed cooling system.


Filling and Bleeding Cooling System

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.

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. MXT012779
    MXT012779-UN-26NOV14

    Loosen bleed valve screw (A).



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

  3. Tighten bleed valve screw.

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

  5. Install radiator cap.

  6. 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. 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 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.


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. Avoid injury! The radiator will be hot and can burn skin. Built-up pressure may 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.
    • Slowly loosen the cap to the first stop to release all pressure. Then remove the cap.

    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 bleed valve screw.

  8. After all solution has drained, connect radiator hoses and tighten engine bleed valve screw.

  9. Remove and clean recovery tank.

  10. Install the recovery tank.

  11. Fill cooling system with recommended coolant mixture.

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