JD 345, FD611V, engine rattle

[powrguy]

First, a little background:

I bought it new, 1998, 54" deck, powerflow bagger, and has the FD611V, liquid cooled, so it does NOT have the plastic cam gear.

I have maintained it regularly, and had a water pump replaced BY THE DEALER, about 2 months ago. It has been running fine, but in the past couple of weeks, there started to be some intermittent noise up front, that sounded like a rattle. I thought the PTO clutch mount bolts might have come lose, but there was no play in the bearings and the mounting bolts were fine. Also, the noise occurs with and without the PTO engaged.

I am afraid it may be coming from the engine, but don't know where/how to start looking for the problem.

Any tips or experience with this would be appreciated.


thanks

 

[Kish318420]

Check engine mounting bolts, hood mountings, side panel(s) mountings, air box/cleaner, etc

 

[beenthere]

Does noise/rattle change pitch when rpm's are changed?

 

[Zebrafive]

I would remove both the mower deck drive belt, then the transaxle drive belt (one at a time) and see if the noise goes away. I had an idler pulley for the transaxle drive belt fail, but it took out the belt, no noise. It seized, but I could see one getting loose and making noise.

Next check exhaust shields, for breaks/missing/loose bolts. That might be rattling.

 

[powrguy]

I brought it into the garage this morning, and was determined to find where it was coming from. I removed the deck, and crawled underneath to check what I could find. I took Zebra5 suggestion, thinkign it may have been the main drive belt idler pulley, and what I found was the front idler pulley was fine. I looked further and found the second pulleytowards the rear, and it was totally wasted, and the bolt was in there, but the center of the pulley was gone. I don't know how it stayed in place. I have to order the parts, or might just go to the dealer and get them. What a relief that it's not that Kawasaki 20HP engine.

 

[beenthere]

Good pics..

Looks to be pulley p/n AM37249.

I like the looks of the mower jack/lift.

Will you work on that pulley from underneath? or remove the fender deck and footrest then work from above?

 

[powrguy]

Good pics..

Looks to be pulley p/n AM37249.

I like the looks of the mower jack/lift.

Will you work on that pulley from underneath? or remove the fender deck and footrest then work from above?

The part number I have is AM 118447. The Mower Jack is a 750# capacity Fischer, and it's at only about 1/2 the height it can lift. I finally bought the mower lift for working on my lawn tractors, and my new zero turn.....especially nice for the deck removals, AND, blade changes/sharpenings.

 

[beenthere]

powrguy

Ok, looked and there are two "sheaves" p/n AM118447 key # 17, and and idler p/n AM37249 key # 11.. I had the wrong one for you. (see I cropped out the number 11 on the schematic, but it is just under the "10" )

Going to look into that mower jack, as it looks handy compared to what I use now. tks

 

[Zebrafive]

I have the same Fisher lift. Other than taking a lot of space when not used, I love it.

I would replace ALL the idlers while I am doing the job, plus a new belt.