JD 318 rebuild engine?

[Sissybitus]

I have a 1987 John Deer Mower 318. It uses a lot of oil, and smokes. Has gotten worse this past season. I have been told that it cannot be repaired, cannot put in new rings, because the Onan motor at 1400 hours just stops working; and I might as well junk it; that it is all one sealed unit. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

 

[pmsmechanic]

Onan was sold to Lanimar which went out of business. Parts were very expensive. ie pistons were $600 each. I had a John Deere 400 in which the motor threw a rod. It was a Kohler engine not an Onan but I went and swapped in a V-2 water cooled Kawasaki. The same engine John Deere uses in some of their newer models. It was a lot of work but I sure had a nice tractor when I was done.

 

[Diamondpilot]

I have a 1987 John Deer Mower 318. It uses a lot of oil, and smokes. Has gotten worse this past season. I have been told that it cannot be repaired, cannot put in new rings, because the Onan motor at 1400 hours just stops working; and I might as well junk it; that it is all one sealed unit. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

Go to Small Engine Wharehouse .Com.

They are located in my town and have 1000's of retrofit kits for odd ball setups. IE, replace it with a Kawasaki or Briggs motor.

Chris

 

[wasillashack]

Try OnanParts.com

 

[oldnslo]

Onan has some problems with the cam bearings spining on these models. When the cam bearings spin it requires a new short block which is extremely expensive.

I agree a repower is probably your best option on this model.

 

[pmsmechanic]

I was on Home - Small Engine Warehouse this morning. I'm impressed. Their prices include an engine and are very reasonable.

 

[wasillashack]

I have a 1987 John Deer Mower 318. It uses a lot of oil, and smokes. Has gotten worse this past season. I have been told that it cannot be repaired, cannot put in new rings, because the Onan mots on eBay alsotor at 1400 hours just stops working; and I might as well junk it; that it is all one sealed unit. Any thoughts on this? Thanks.

Many parts on eBay also.

 

[Sissybitus]

Onan was sold to Lanimar which went out of business. Parts were very expensive. ie pistons were $600 each. I had a John Deere 400 in which the motor threw a rod. It was a Kohler engine not an Onan but I went and swapped in a V-2 water cooled Kawasaki. The same engine John Deere uses in some of their newer models. It was a lot of work but I sure had a nice tractor when I was done.

Since I am definitely not a mechanic, I would have to pay someone to rebuild. Although I would really prefer doing that, I think I will just go to the John Deere place here in Crossville TN and trade it in on a used mower. I realize it will not have the hydrostatic features I have now, and it will probably be plastic. Sad. Thanks for all the posts.

 

[pmsmechanic]

For what you are going to get at a dealer for your tractor I would keep it. The money isn't going to be any different as they will most likely give you next to nothing for the 318 in trade. they might not even want it in trade.

Before you make any hard and fast decisions look have a look at Home - Small Engine Warehouse. I was impressed with the kits I saw there and they have two different engines for the 318. Prices are very reasonable for what you are getting.

Right now your tractor is worth nothing to the average joe or a dealer for that matter. For approx $1500 and a bit of labour that you could easily do you can have a tractor that will last you for a long time and be worth a lot more than what you put into it.

 

[buickanddeere]

Far better off with a re-power of the 318 even if you pay a dealer to do the work. lawn tractors such as the 100 series and the base 300 series use the lightweight K46 Tuff Torq. The higher end 300 series with power lift and power steering use a medium duty K58 Tuff Torq. The 500 series use the K66 Tuff Torque which is good. Still not the HD tractor the 318 is with rear pto and cat 0 three point hitch.

John Deere 318 Category

John Deere 318

1983 - 1992 300 Series
Garden tractor
Previous model: John Deere 317
Series back: John Deere 316

Production:
Manufacturer: John Deere
Factory: Horicon, Wisconsin, USA

Variants:
318: air-cooled gas
322: liquid-cooled gas
332: diesel

John Deere 318 Engines:
18HP Onan 709cc 2-cyl gasoline
18HP Onan 781cc 2-cyl gasoline
full engine details ...

Capacity:
Fuel: 4.5 gal [17.0 L]
Hydraulic system: 1.2 gal [4.5 L]

3-Point Hitch:
Rear Type: 0*
Control: non-position control
Rear lift (at 24"/610mm): 640 lbs [290 kg]

Power Take-off (PTO):
Rear PTO: independent*
Clutch: electric
Rear RPM: 2000
Front PTO: independent
Clutch: electric
Front RPM: 3600

Dimensions & Tires:
Wheelbase: 46 inches [116 cm]
Weight: 836 lbs [379 kg]
Front tire: 16x6.50-8
Rear tire: 23x10.50-12
full dimensions and tires ...

John Deere 318 attachments:
38" mid-mount mower deck
46" mid-mount mower deck
50" mid-mount mower deck
snowblower
blade
front-end loader
all 318 attachments ...

318 Serial Numbers:
Location: Plate below steering column
photo of 318 serial number

1983: M00318X222001
1984: M00318X285001
1985: M00318X315001
1986: M00318X360001
1987: M00318X420001
1988: M00318X475001
1989: M00318X595001
1990: M00318X010001
1991: M00318X100001
1992: M00318X110001
Final: M00318X120000

Links:
WeekendFreedomMachines.com: information, photos, allied equipment data, and an active John Deere lawn tractor forum

Mechanical:
Transmission: hydrostatic
Chassis: 4x2 2WD
Steering: hydrostatic power
Brakes: differential mechanical drum
Cab: Open operator station.

Hydraulics:
Capacity: 1.2 gal [4.5 L]
Valves: 2

Electrical:
Ground: negative
Charging system: alternator
Charging amps: 20

Battery:
Number: 1
Cold-cranking amps: 255
Volts: 12

Page information:
Last update: January 3, 2015
Copyright: Copyright 2015 TractorData LLC

Engine Detail:
The Onan B43G was used from 1983 to 1987, tractor serial number M00318X420000.
Onan B43G
gasoline
2-cylinder 4-valve
air-cooled horizontal-shaft opposed twin
709 cc [43.3ci ]

Bore/Stroke: 3.25x2.62 inches [83 x 67 mm]
Power (gross): 18 hp [13.4 kW]
Air cleaner: foam and paper
Compression: 6.5:1
Rated RPM: 3500
Starter volts: 12
Oil capacity: 1.75 qts [1.7 L]
Sparkplug: JD AM38622
NGK BPR5EFS
Motorcraft AGRF32
Sparkplug gap: 0.025 inches [0.635 mm]

Engine Detail:
The Onan P218 was used in the John Deere 318 from 1987, serial number M00318X420001, through the end of production.
Onan P218
gasoline
2-cylinder
air-cooled horizontal-shaft opposed twin
781 cc [47.7ci ]
Bore/Stroke: 3.25x2.88 inches [83 x 73 mm]
Power (gross): 18 hp [13.4 kW]
Rated RPM: 3600
Starter volts: 12
Sparkplug: NGK BPR5EFS
Champion RS14YC