4320 Coolant Leak from Timing Cover advise please

[dj1701]

I’m now about half way thru one of the biggest jobs that I do every year with my 4120 (bush hogging about 20 acres of hay fields). The K-seal continues to hold. In fact, my coolant temperature has been running as cool as I’ve ever noticed it during that job.

It will be interesting to see how long this repair lasts (it said that it’s permanent on the bottle). I’ll continue to change the coolant every 10 years or so and see how I make out.

I finished up the 3rd field yesterday after work, and there’s (3) more to go. I’d like to get back on it today but it’s raining pretty hard. I wouldn’t mind cutting in a light rain because my canopy would keep my dry and that would keep the dust down.
View attachment 877728
View attachment 877729

I also hauled up and processed a small dead ash tree, that had fallen onto one of the fields. My old Ford 8n is broken down so the John Deere 4120 is needing to do most of the work around here now.

My favorite part about owning a Ford and a Farmall tractor is the appreciation they give me for mostly running John Deere tractors.

I just came in to find your posts.

I was fiddling with the starter on my 4320 and I can't figure out how to get at the second bolt. Looks like a job for JD unless some has done this before. Anway, while I was out there in the shop, I noticed some coolant on the floor under the tractor. Mine is a 2008 with just over 300hrs on her. I checked the reservoir, and it was down a bit. I only really use it for snow removal and lifting heavy things in and out of the truck.

I sure don't want to have JD fix it because I just can't afford it. Then I thought of your post and came in to see what that stuff was that you used.

Dave

 

[wolc123]

I just came in to find your posts.

I was fiddling with the starter on my 4320 and I can't figure out how to get at the second bolt. Looks like a job for JD unless some has done this before. Anway, while I was out there in the shop, I noticed some coolant on the floor under the tractor. Mine is a 2008 with just over 300hrs on her. I checked the reservoir, and it was down a bit. I only really use it for snow removal and lifting heavy things in and out of the truck.

I sure don't want to have JD fix it because I just can't afford it. Then I thought of your post and came in to see what that stuff was that you used.

Dave

I’ve changed starters twice on my 4120 and I don’t remember having too much trouble getting at the second bolt. Seemed like it worked with standard wrenches and sockets. May have needed the right length extension on a ratchet though.

As far as the coolant leaked, a regular standard bottle of K-seal, applied per the directions on the bottle, worked good for me.

 

[dj1701]

There is a wiring harness that is blocking it, and it does not want to move.

Dave

 

[dj1701]

Well, the K-Seal did not work and here is why. It was not the gasket it was the pump itself. still missing two pieces.

 

[beenthere]

Glad you found the problem.

 

[wolc123]

Well, the K-Seal did not work and here is why. It was not the gasket it was the pump itself. still missing two pieces.

View attachment 879280

That looks like a busted up impeller on the water pump. I think the op mentioned a water pump issue on his, in addition to the timing cover sealant joint leak. How much for a new water pump ? Was it tough to get off ? Was it overheating, loosing coolant or both ? Maybe the K-seal did fix your timing cover sealant leak, if you had that going in too, like the op did.

 

[dj1701]

It appears I had no timing cover leak.

All the coolant was from the water pump which the bearing and seal gave out.

It was a pain in the butt. Had to cut the bottom bolts off the radiator to get it out. Then remove the shroud, fan and pully.

JD soaked me $317.00 for a new pump and I had to buy a gasket as well. Like I would buy either without the other.

The radiator is still serviceable. The studs are still there that will fit into the rubber grommets. It doesn't need those bolts on the bottom. New tractors don't have them.

 

[Rob REECE]

So I have a 2009 4320 with the same coolant leak. Does the John Deere tech manual adequately cover the procedure to disassemble the tractor to fix the leak.

Do you have the gasket kit part number.

 

[gbw]

The kit number is in given the early posts i believe.

In the end i had a local shop, not Deere, do this work. I finally decided, and still believe, it was beyond my experience and equipment capacities. Ended up costing about $700 iirc, and worth it. Repair has held up well over the years. IMO Deere should have forseen this problem and installed the gasket doring production. But I still love the tractor.

 

[Rob REECE]

I'm in the process of doing this repair. I have the gasket kit from deere but had a couple of questions is there any way to leave the ac compressor and lines hook up? It looks like there might be enough room for the cover to come off. Also with the deere kit it looks like there's 2 oil pan gaskets any idea where the other gaskets goes?

So I have the same leak. And I am considering doing the work myself. What instructions did you use for the job. I see there is a tech manual for the tractor and it is expensive.