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John Deere 170 Problems and Solutions

JD 170 Engine Troubleshooting

Tractor engine won't start

Empty gas tank - Add fuel.
Incorrect fuel grade - Change fuel.
Stale gasoline - Drain gasoline and add fresh.
Fuel system clogged - Repair or replace.
Spark plug defective - Check wires connection.
Faulty spark plug - Installing new spark plug.
Plugged fuel filter - Fuel filter needs changing.
Brake pedal not depressed - Press the brake pedal.
Carburetor is clogged - Clean the carburetor.
Inspect and adjust choke. Test crankcase vacuum.

Engine long starting

Spark plug fail - Check the spark and replace defective spark.
Carburetor incorrectly set - Set carb correctly.
Dirt in fuel lines - Remove clogging from fuel pipes.
Choke cable damaged - Replacement required.
Stale or incorrect fuel - Fill in proper fuel.
Electrical wiring worn out - Inspect and change wires if required.
Starter is not working - Check starter, repair or replace.

Engine runs roughly

Cooling fins are clogged - Remove dirt from cooling fins.
Loose electrical contacts - Inspect and replace defective contacts.
Ignition adjustment lost - Test ignition and spark plug.
Throttle cable sticking - Repair or replace.
Air cleaner blocked - Replace air cleaner.

Engine misses under load

Spark plug malfunction - Inspect spark plug wire.
Carburetor problems - Test and repair.
Ignition coil is damaged - Inspect ignition coil and change if required.

Engine overheats

Engine overloaded - Reduce loads.
Air intake screen clogged - Clean and wash dirty components.
Too much or too little oil - Check oil level. Test engine oil pressure.
Low quality engine oil - Change engine oil.
Check internal bearing clearance.
Fast idle speed - Adjusting fast idle speed.

Engine doesn't idle speed

Spark plug not gapped correctly - Check tightness of spark plug.
Spark plug malfunction - Check the spark and replace defective spark.

John Deere 170 Engine knocks

Stale or low octane fuel - Change gasoline.
Engine overload - Reduce the load.
Low oil level - Add to required level.
Low engine speed - Adjust carburetor as needed.
Cylinder bore and rings are wear - Inspect cylinder bore or rings for worn.
Inspect for engine overheats from clogged cooling fins.
Checking and adjusting valve clearance.
Check for worn crankshaft or camshaft bearings.

Engine back-fire

Inspect spark plug and change if required.
Adjust or change the throttle.
Test carburetor, adjust if necessary.
Inspect and adjust ignition coil air gap.
Inspect for sticking valves.
Check and adjust valve clearance.
Inspect flywheel key.

Insufficient engine power

Engine overheating - Replace air cleaner.
Engine oil overfilled - Drain excess oil.
Fuel pump is not working properly - Check fuel pump and replace if required.
Governor is damage - Inspect and adjust governor.
Check and overhaul carburetor.
Test engine compression.

Engine getting too much fuel

Choke didn't open fully - Check choke cable.
Carburetor is not working properly - Checking and adjusting carburetor.

Black smoke is emitted during operation

Air cleaner is dirty or oiled - Inspect and clean.
Choke partially engaged - Replace or repair choke.
Check and adjust carburetor float level.

JD 170 Electrical System Troubleshooting

Starter does not function

Main fuse malfunction - Check and replace.
Battery contacts are corroded - Clean contacts.
Low charging voltage - Charge the battery.
Ignition lock is damaged - Replace the lock.
Starter fault - Repair or replace.
Wiring damage - Reconnect wires.

Battery does not charge

One or more battery cells dead - Replace the battery.
No contact between cable and battery terminal - Change or clean cable.

Lighting does not function

Connection/disconnection level in wrong position.
Replace light bulbs.
Wiring short circuit.

John Deere 170 Machine Problems

Tractor vibrates too much or rattles excessively

Implements drive belts damaged or worn - Inspect and replace damaged belt.
Worn traction drive belt - Check and replace belt.
Drive pulley is dirty - Fit new pulley.
The mower deck blades are bent or unbalanced - Change as needed.

Tractor will not move with engine running

Parking brake locked - Disengage the park brake.
Bypass lever is on - Set bypass valve to the off position.
Blade becomes loose - Checking blades for loose bolts.
Unbalance in one or both blades - Check blade balancing.
Too little transmission oil - Add transmission oil.

John Deere 170 Lawn Mower Troubleshooting

Clogged discharge chute

Lawn mower is driving too fast - Choose recommended speed.
Grass too long - Use a shorter cutting height.
The grass is wet - Wait until later to cut.
Engine speed reduced - Open choke fully.
Loss of airflow - Adjust to high revs.
Cutting too low - Change cutting height.
Improper belt installation - install belt as required.

Streaking of uncut grass

Debris in cutting deck - Clean mower deck.
Damaged blade - Check for blade damage and replace if necessary.
Mower deck low - Adjust and level the deck height.
Grass bag too full - Clean bagger.
Speed is very fast - Need to reduce speed.

Belt slips

Debris in pulleys - Clean or replace.
Drive belt wear - Install new belt.
Poor belt tension - Belt tension needs to be adjusted.

Too much mower vibration

Mower deck clogged or in sheaves - Remove clogging from sheaves or mower deck.
Worn belt or pulley - Replace worn parts.
Belt or pulleys no adjustment - Inspect and align.
Incorrect blade balancing - Adjust blade balance.

Blade strips grass

Wrong cutting height - Raise cutting height.
Mower height wheels not adjusted - Adjust rear or front wheel height.
Insufficient tire pressure - Need to inflate tires.
Higher blade speed - Blade speed required.
Blades are bent - Replace blades.

Uneven cutting results

Mower deck low - Adjust and level the deck height.
Low tire inflation - Need to inflate tires.
Incorrect wheel height - Check the rollers heights.
Operating at a faster ground speed - Operate the mower at low speed.
Blades worn - Installing new blade.

JOHN DEERE TRACTORS ATTACHMENTS
420	430	455	790	990
X300	X320	X330	X350	X475
X485	X500	X540	X570	X590
X700	X720	X738	X758	1023E
2025R	2210	2520	3025E	3032E
3038E	3038R	3039R	3046R	3203
3320	3520	4052R	4066R	4100
4105	4115	4200	4310	4320
4400	4410	4520	4600	4720

JD TRACTORS TROUBLESHOOTING
2640	3040	3310	3650	4100
5050D	5090R	5410	6105R	7200R
E130	L111	LA110	LT155	X300R