John Deere Engines Troubleshooting

Symptom Problem Solution

Engine cranks but will not Incorrect starting procedure. Verify correct starting
start procedure.
No fuel. Check fuel in tank.
Fuel filter plugged or full of Replace fuel filter or drain water
water. from filter.
Exhaust restricted. Check and correct exhaust
restriction.
Injection pump not getting fuel Check fuel flow at supply pump
or air in fuel system. or bleed fuel system.
Faulty injection pump or Consult authorized diesel repair
nozzles. station for repair or
replacement.

Engine hard to start or will Engine starting under load. Disengage PTO.
not start
Improper starting procedure. Review starting procedure.
No fuel. Check fuel tank.
Air in fuel line. Bleed fuel line.
Cold weather. Use cold weather starting aids.
Slow starter speed. See “Starter Cranks Slowly”.
Crankcase oil too heavy. Use oil of proper viscosity.
Improper type of fuel. Consult fuel supplier; use
proper type fuel for operating
conditions.
Water, dirt, or air in fuel system. Drain, flush, fill, and bleed
system.
Clogged fuel filter. Replace filter element.
Dirty or faulty injection nozzles. Have authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor
check injectors.
Defective glow plugs (Cold Test glow plugs (See 3000
weather starting) hour/36 month maintenance
section)
Electronic fuel system problem See your John Deere distributor
(if equipped) or servicing dealer.

Engine knocks Low engine oil level. Add oil to engine crankcase.
Low coolant temperature. Remove and check thermostat.
Engine overheating. See “Engine Overheats”.
 Engine cold Wrong or defective thermostat.
Remove and check thermostat.

Abnormal Engine Noise Turbocharger bearings not Determine cause of lack of

lubricated (insufficient oil lubrication; repair as required.
pressure) See your John Deere engine
distributor or servicing dealer.
Worn timing gears or excess Check timing gear back lash.
backlash See your John Deere engine
distributor or servicing dealer.
Excessive valve clearance Check and adjust valve
clearance. See CHECKING AND
ADJUSTING VALVE CLEARANCE
in the “Lubrication and
Maintenance/3000 Hour/36
Month” section earlier in this
manual.
Worn main or connecting rod Determine bearing clearance.
bearings See your John Deere engine
distributor or servicing dealer.
Excessive crankshaft end play Check crankshaft end play. See
your John Deere engine
distributor or servicing dealer.
Loose main bearing caps Check bearing clearance;
replace bearings and bearing
cap screws as required. See
your John Deere engine
distributor or servicing dealer.
Worn connecting rod bushings Inspect piston pins and
and piston pins bushings. See your John Deere
engine distributor or servicing
dealer.
Scored pistons Inspect pistons. See your John
Deere engine distributor or
servicing dealer.
Worn camshaft lobes Inspect camshaft. See your
John Deere engine distributor or
servicing dealer.
Worn rocker arm shaft(s) Inspect rocker arm shafts. See
your John Deere engine
distributor or servicing dealer.

Engine runs irregularly or Clogged fuel filter. Replace fuel filter element.
stalls frequently
Water, dirt, or air in fuel system. Drain, flush, fill, and bleed
system.
Low coolant temperature. Remove and check thermostat.
Dirty or faulty injection nozzles. Have authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor
check injectors.
 Electronic fuel system problem See your John Deere distributor
or servicing dealer.

Below normal engine Defective thermostat. Remove and check thermostat.

temperature
Defective temperature gauge or Check gauge, sender, and
sender. connections.
Poor quality fuel Change to better quality fuel.

Lack of power Engine overloaded. Reduce load.

Intake air restriction. Service air cleaner.
Clogged fuel filter. Replace filter elements.
Improper type of fuel. Use proper fuel.
Overheated engine. See “Engine Overheats”.
Below normal engine Remove and check thermostat.
temperature.
Improper valve clearance. See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.
Dirty or faulty injection nozzles. Have authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor
check injectors.
Injection pump out of time. See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.
Electronic fuel system problem See your John Deere distributor
or servicing dealer.
Turbocharger not functioning. See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.
Leaking exhaust manifold See your authorized servicing
gasket. dealer or engine distributor.
Restricted fuel hose. Clean or replace fuel hose.
Low fast idle speed. See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.

Low oil pressure Low oil level. Add oil.

Restricted crankcase vent tube. Clean vent tube, verify
crankcase oil level is not too
high.
Improper type of oil. Drain, fill crankcase with oil of
proper viscosity and quality.

High oil consumption Crankcase oil too light. Use proper viscosity oil.
Oil leaks. Check for leaks in lines,
gaskets, and drain plug.
Restricted crankcase vent tube. Clean vent tube, verify
crankcase oil level is not too
high.
 Defective turbocharger. See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.

Engine emits white smoke Improper type of fuel. Use proper fuel.
Low engine temperature. Warm up engine to normal
operating temperature.
Defective thermostat. Remove and check thermostat.
Defective injection nozzles. See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.
Defective glow plugs. Test glow plugs. (See 3000
hour/36 month maintenance
section.)

Engine emits black or gray Improper type of fuel. Use proper fuel.
exhaust smoke
Clogged or dirty air cleaner. Service air cleaner.
Engine overloaded. Reduce load.
Injection nozzles dirty. See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.
Electronic fuel system problem See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.
Turbocharger not functioning. See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.

Engine overheats Coolant stays at high Check for debris in front of

temperature cooling package
Engine overloaded. Reduce load.
Low coolant level. Fill radiator to proper level,
check radiator and hoses for
loose connections or leaks.
Faulty radiator cap. Have technician check.
Stretched poly-vee belt or Check automatic belt tensioner
defective belt tensioner. and check belts for stretching.
Replace as required.
Low engine oil level. Check oil level. Add oil as
required.
Cooling system needs flushing. Flush cooling system.
Defective thermostat. Remove and check thermostat.
Defective temperature gauge or Check coolant temperature with
sender. thermometer and replace, if
necessary.
Incorrect grade of fuel. Use correct grade of fuel.

High fuel consumption Improper type of fuel. Use proper type of fuel.
Clogged or dirty air cleaner. Service air cleaner.
Engine overloaded. Reduce load.
Improper valve clearance. See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.
 Injection nozzles dirty. See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.
Electronic fuel system problem See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.
Defective turbocharger. See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.
Low engine temperature. Check thermostat.
Undercharged electrical Excessive electrical load from Remove accessories or install
system added accessories. higher output alternator.
Excessive engine idling. Increase engine rpm when
heavy electrical load is used.
Poor electrical connections on Inspect and clean as
battery, ground strap, starter, necessary.
or alternator.
Defective battery. Test battery.
Defective alternator. Test charging system.
Battery uses too much water Cracked battery case. Check for moisture and replace
as necessary.
Defective battery. Test battery.
Battery charging rate too high. Test charging system.

Batteries will not charge Loose or corroded connections. Clean and tighten connections.
Sulfated or worn-out batteries. See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.
Stretched poly-vee belt or Adjust belt tension or replace
defective belt tensioner. belts.

Starter will not crank PTO engaged (if equipped). Disengage PTO.
Loose or corroded connections. Clean and tighten loose
connections.
Low battery output voltage. See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.
Faulty start circuit relay. See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.
Blown main system fuse. Replace fuse.

Starter cranks slowly Low battery output. See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.
Crankcase oil too heavy. Use proper viscosity oil.
Loose or corroded connections. Clean and tighten loose
connections.

Starter and hour meter Blown fuse. Replace fuse.

functions; rest of electrical
system does not function

Entire electrical system does Faulty battery connection. Clean and tighten connections.
not function
Sulfated or worn-out batteries. See your authorized servicing
dealer or engine distributor.
Blown main system fuse. Replace fuse.