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John Deere GT242 Tractor Troubleshooting

John Deere GT242 Engine Problems

Engine starting problems

No gasoline in tank - Add gasoline.
Improper fuel grade - Change gasoline.
Stale fuel - Drain fuel and add fresh.
Clogged fuel system - Remove clogging.
Spark plug wire is loose or disconnected - Install new spark plug wires.
Faulty spark plug - Change as required.
Fuel filter is clogged - Install new filter.
Defective safety switch - Replace if required.
Carburetor malfunction - Check and repair as required.
Check and adjust governor linkage. Test crankcase vacuum.

Gas engine starts hard

Spark plug worn out - Test spark and change as required.
Wrong carburetor adjustment - Adjusting carburetor correctly.
Dirt in fuel pipes - Clean the system carefully.
Throttle cable damaged - Change the cable.
Stale or incorrect fuel - Drain and add proper gasoline.
Electrical connections are damaged - Checking and replace wiring if necessary.
Starter problems - Test starter and repair if necessary.

JD GT242 Engine runs unevenly

Clogged cooling fins - Remove dirt from cooling fins.
Loose electrical contacts - Check and replace defective connections.
Incorrect ignition settings - Test ignition and spark plug.
Choke cable sticking - Repair or replace.
Air cleaner blocked - Clean air filter.

Engine misses under load

Faulty spark plug - Change spark plug.
Carburetor problems - Test and repair.
Ignition coil air gap incorrect - Check and adjust ignition coil air gap.

Engine overheats

Engine overloaded - Reduce loads.
Cooling fins or air inlet plugged - Clean clogged components.
Engine oil high or too low - Check oil level. Test engine oil pressure.
Low quality engine oil - Change oil.
Inspect crankshaft to main bearing clearance.
Idle speed problems - Adjust carburetor for slower idle speed.

Engine doesn't idle speed

Poor spark plug contact - Check tightness of spark plug.
Spark plug fail - Inspect the spark, change if necessary.

John Deere GT242 Engine knocks

Low octane gasoline - Use proper fuel.
Engine overloaded - Reduce loads.
Low oil level - Add engine oil.
Low engine speed - Adjust carburetor.
Piston rings and cylinder bore worn - Inspect cylinder bore or rings for worn.
Check for engine overheating from plugged cooling fins.
Checking and adjusting valve clearance.
Inspect for loose or wear connecting rods.

Engine back-fire

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

Engine lacks power

Engine temperature too high - Clogged air filter element.
Too much oil in engine - Remove excess oil.
Fuel pump broken - Check fuel pump and replace if required.
Governor problems - Checking and adjusting governor.
Inspect and repair carburetor.
Check engine compression.

Engine uses too much fuel

Insufficient throttle opening - Check choke cable.
Carburetor is not adjusted - Adjust carburetor.

Emits black smoke

Air cleaner element clogged - Check and clean.
Choke partially engaged - Inspect and adjust throttle.
Check and adjust carburetor float level.

JD GT242 Electrical Troubleshooting

Starter does not function

Main fuse defective - Check and replace.
Poor terminal connection - Inspect and clean terminals.
Low battery voltage - Charge the battery.
Ignition switch problems - Change the lock.
Faulty starter - Repair or replace.
Wiring disconnected - Replace wiring.

Battery doesn't charge

One or several cells defective - Replace the battery.
Poor contact between cable and battery pole - Clean or change cable.

Lights do not work

Headlight wire connector disconnected.
lamp defective.
Short-circuit in cable.

John Deere GT242 Machine Problems

Tractor vibrates excessively

Implements drive belts damaged or worn - Check and change worn belt.
Traction drive belt damage - Installing new driven belt.
Drive pulley is dirty - Fit new pulley.
The mower deck blades are bent or unbalanced - Replace defective blades.

Tractor doesn't move when engine runs

Parking brake holds the tractor - Unlock park brake.
Bypass valve pulled out - Deactivate the bypass valve.
Blade becomes loose - Inspect and fasten securely if necessary.
Blades are unbalanced - Balance the blades correctly.
Transmission oil is low - Add oil to the transmission.

John Deere GT242 Lawn Mower Troubleshooting

Discharge Chute Clogged

Lawn mower is driving too fast - Choose recommended speed.
Grass has grown too long - Adjust cutting height.
Wet grass - Wait until later to cut.
Engine rpm reduced - Adjust choke to full opening.
Airflow restriction - Set higher revs.
cut too low - Adjust cutting settings.
Belt is loose - Check belt installation.

Lawn mower leaving uncut grass

Cutting deck clogging - Inspect and clean cutting deck.
Excessive blade wear - Installing new blade.
Mower deck low - Level mower deck.
Grass bag too full - Clean grass bag.
Traveling too fast - Use slower speed.

Belt Slipping

Debris in sheaves - Check and clean.
Drive belt damage - Check and change damaged belt.
Belt tension improper - Check and adjusting belt tension.

Excessive mower vibration

Mower deck clogged or in sheaves - Clean mower deck and sheave from debris.
Mower belt or sheave damaged - Change defective components.
Belt or pulleys out of centering - Inspect and adjust.
Blades are not balanced correctly - Balance blades properly.

Blades scalping grass

Cutting height incorrect - Set the correct cutting height.
Mower rollers height wrong - Adjust front or back wheel height.
Low tire pressure - Tire pressure required.
Blades speed too fast - Adjust the blade speed.
Bent mower blades - Remove bent blade and fit new one.

Uneven Cut

Deck level is too low - Level mower deck.
Insufficient tire pressure - Tire pressure required.
Incorrect wheel height - Check the wheel heights.
Ground speed too high - Use slower 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