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John Deere 318 Troubleshooting

John Deere 318 Engine Problems

Tractor engine does not start

No fuel in fuel tank - Add gasoline.
Wrong grade of gasoline - Use quality gasoline.
Stale gas - Drain fuel and fill up fresh.
Dirty fuel lines - Inspect and clean.
Defective spark plug wires - Check the spark plug wires.
Faulty spark plug - Test ignition spark.
Clogged fuel filter - Replace fuel filter.
Brake pedal not depressed - Press the brake pedal.
Incorrect carburetor adjustment - Adjust carburetor idle mixture screw.
Inspect and adjust throttle cable. Test compression.

Gas engine hard starting

Spark plug malfunction - Test spark and replace as required.
Problems with carburetor adjustment - Adjust as required.
Dirt in fuel lines - Servicing fuel system.
Throttle cable damaged - Change the cable.
Old or incorrect fuel - Pour quality fuel.
Electrical connections are damaged - Inspect and change wires if required.
Failing starter - Test starter and repair if necessary.

Engine runs unevenly

Clogged cooling fins - Clean cooling fins.
Loose electrical connections - Inspect and replace defective contacts.
Ignition adjustment lost - Test ignition and spark plug.
Choke cable sticks - Check and change if required.
Air cleaner blocked - Change air cleaner.

Engine runs but misses

Spark plug worn out - Check spark plug wire for wet or deteriorated condition.
Carburetor is not adjusted correctly - Adjust carburetor as required.
Ignition coil is damaged - Inspect ignition coil and change if required.

Engine overheating

Engine overloaded - Reduce the load.
Air intake screen plugged - Clean and wash dirty components.
Too much or too little oil - Add or drain oil.
Incorrect engine oil viscosity - Change engine oil.
Inspect crankshaft to main bearing clearance.
Fast idle speed - Adjust fast idle.

Engine doesn't idle speed

Poor spark plug contact - Tighten the spark plug correctly.
Spark plug worn out - Test spark and replace as required.

JD 318 Engine knocks

Low octane gasoline - Change gasoline.
Engine overloaded - Reduce the load.
Low oil level - Add engine oil.
Engine is running at low revs - Adjust the required speed.
Piston rings and cylinder bore worn - Replace defective components.
Inspect for engine overheats from clogged cooling fins.
Checking and adjusting valve clearance.
Check for loose or worn connecting rods.

Engine back-fire

Checking spark plug.
Inspect and adjust choke.
Check and adjust carburetor.
Check and adjust ignition coil air gap.
Inspect for sticking valves.
Test valve clearance, adjusting if necessary.
Inspect flywheel key.

Engine lacks power

Engine overheating - Change air filter.
High engine oil - Excess oil needs to be drained.
Fuel pump is damage - Repair or replace fuel pump.
Governor is damage - Inspect and repair governor.
Inspect carburetor for plugged passages.
Check engine compression.

Excessive Fuel Consumption

Insufficient throttle opening - Adjust choke cable.
Carburetor problems - Check and adjust carburetor.

Black smoke is emitted during operation

Air cleaner is dirty or oiled - Clean or change filter.
Throttle is partially engaged - Inspect and adjust choke.
Check and adjust carburetor float level.

JD 318 Electrical System Troubleshooting

Starter motor will not turn engine

Main fuse malfunction - Install new fuse.
Poor terminal connection - Clean contacts.
Low charging voltage - Charge the battery.
Ignition lock is damaged - Replace the lock.
Damaged starter - Repair or replace.
Wiring damage - Connect wires.

Battery does not charge

One or several cells defective - Install new battery.
Battery terminals and cables are dirty - Inspect and Clean.

Lights do not work

Light connector defective.
Replace light bulbs.
Inspect electrical wires for short- circuit.

John Deere 318 Machine Problems

Tractor vibrates excessively

Implements drive belts damaged or worn - Check and change worn belt.
Worn traction drive belt - Fit new belt.
Drive pulley is dirty - if required.
Cutting blade loose or unbalanced - Change defective blades.

Machine does not move while engine is running

parking brake blocks the tractor - Release the parking brake.
Bypass valve lever in the push position - Deactivate the bypass valve.
Mower blade could be loose - Inspect and fasten securely if necessary.
Improper blade balance - Inspect the blades and balance if necessary.
Transmission oil too low - Topping up oil.

John Deere 318 Mower Deck Troubleshooting

Plugged discharge chute

Operating at a faster ground speed - Need to reduce speed.
Grass Too Tall - Use a shorter cutting height.
Wet grass - Wait until the grass dries.
Engine is running at too low speed - Open throttle fully.
Lack of air flow - Check engine speed.
Mower cuts too low - Change cutting height.
Belt fitted improperly - Install the belt correctly.

Lawn mower leaving uncut grass

Cutting deck clogging - Deck cleaning required.
Defective blade - Install new blade.
Deck too low - Checking and adjust deck height.
Grass bagger overfilled - Empty bagger.
Speed is very fast - Need to reduce speed.

Belt slips

Debris in sheaves - Recommend cleaning the sheaves.
Belt is worn out - Check and replace belt.
Poor belt tension - Install the belt correctly.

Excessive mower vibration

Mower deck clogged or in sheaves - Clean deck and pulley from debris.
Worn sheaves or belt - Fit new components.
Pulleys or belt misaligned - Check and adjust.
Blades are not balanced correctly - Balance blades properly.

Blades scalp grass

Wrong cutting height - Check and adjust height.
Mower wheel height incorrect - Adjust rear or front wheel height.
Low tire inflation - Increase tire pressure.
High blade speed during mowing - Adjust the speed of blades.
Bent blades during operation - Install new blades.

Uneven cutting results

Deck too low - Checking and adjust deck height.
Tire pressure unequal - Increase tire pressure.
Wrong wheel position - Check the rollers heights.
Ground speed too high - Don't use fast speed.
Mower blade worn or bent - Checking for blade fault and change if required.

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