Beware John Deere 4*20 series owners--antifreeze leak

[D4120]

When the service tech called me with a quote, I asked him how or why this would happen. Just trying to pick his brain, he mentioned that it could be a number of things and that JD has a specified torque pattern for the timing cover and the oil pan. My thinking was that if I spend my time to do it, and it still leaks, I'm gonna be p i s s e d off twice. Somethings are worth the money......

 

[Cidertom]

What is a DTAC?

Dealer Technical Assistance Center.

 

[yod67]

I had my head gasket replaced on my 4200. It ran around $2300. I don't remember what it had for hours at the time of repairs. It was hard to take but had to have it done.

 

[Agent Blue]

I had my head gasket replaced on my 4200. It ran around $2300. I don't remember what it had for hours at the time of repairs. It was hard to take but had to have it done.

That sounds like a pile of money for the task provided. I think I would have wrenched that one myself. The computers these days practically take you by the hand and explain what to do next. How did we ever live without them ?

 

[Karl2]

I clock about 600 hours a year on my '05 4720 and never had a coolant leak. That and fuel are about the only fluids that never leaked though, oil is another matter...

 

[International man]

I have a 2007 4320 that had to have the engine replaced at 500 hrs now the new engine is leaking antifreeze. Only 1000 hrs on the whole tractor

 

[sunnyside360]

I have a 2007 4320 that had to have the engine replaced at 500 hrs now the new engine is leaking antifreeze. Only 1000 hrs on the whole tractor

Where is it leaking? Are you sure the hose clamp(s) doesn't need tightening.

 

[JD 4520]

I have a 2007 4320 that had to have the engine replaced at 500 hrs now the new engine is leaking antifreeze. Only 1000 hrs on the whole tractor

What happened that caused the engine replacement?

 

[sunnyside360]

Where is it leaking? Are you sure the hose clamp(s) doesn't need tightening.

Additional Info: Both of my 2007 and 2010 4320 open station tractors leaked anti freeze at the hose connections. Both were easily fixed with tightening the clamps. Sometimes it is difficult to actually trace the leak but it's really easy to just tighten all hose clamps and at least eliminate that as source of leak, or fix the problem. I'd do that first if you haven't already done it. I also had a leak at front of the 2007 4320 (different time) near head gasket but don't remember details and that was covered under warranty. May be similar to yours.

 

[RedHawkRidge]

Tractors aren't the only equipmet with this problem. I had a Chevy S-10 p/u. Was a 1980's something. Engine failed. Diagnosis was the antifreeze was 3 yrs old, had acidified, and ate thru a gasket. The engine design had only a gasket separating coolant channels from oil channels, as I recall. The a/f leaked into the oil, and eventually ate the bearings. When they dropped the oil pan, the bottom was filled with glitter -- metal particles that had been chewed up by the a/f. Chev said sorry, out of warranty. Repair shop said they had fixed couple dozen with the same problem. Always charming to find these things out after it happens to you. Today's internet helps, but no always.