John Deere 2140 Blowing White Smoke

FlAr2010 · Dec 12, 2010

Let me just start this post by saying that I am as far from a mechanic as you can get. Also...I am new to this site so if this is the wrong place to post repair type questions let me know and I can move it to the correct place. With that being said...I have a John Deere 2140 that is blowing white smoke from the exhaust and I have no idea where to start to find the problem. I started the tractor this morning to move a bale of hay and the smoke was there. I have not ever noticed the smoke before. I have read that a tractor can smoke on a cold cold morning but the smoking did not cease after the tractor warmed up. It only seemed to get worse. While moving the hay...the tractor seemed to sputter and miss when I increased the throttle. Any responses would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

boomer1025 · Dec 12, 2010

Sounds like you have a cylinder thats running cold, possible injector/fuel nozzle causing the problem or a blown head gasket. Check the oil for signs of coolant, gray foam on the dipstick or on the oil fill cap. Check the coolant level an see if is low. Becareful if you try this, you should have 2 people, if you can get at the exhaust manifold, have someone start the tractor when it's cold, then feel the exhaust manifold at each cylinder and see if one is running colder then the rest. The cold cylinder would be where I'd start at.

Willl · Dec 12, 2010

Did happen to catch a whiff of it and can describe the smell ?

kjung17 · Dec 12, 2010

I'd start simple. Fuel filter? Jelled fuel? Moisture?

DANOCHEESE · Dec 12, 2010

Gelled fuel. Don;t know where you are at. Change filters and treat your fuel. You may have to throw some red power service at it.

FlAr2010 · Dec 12, 2010

Thanks everyone for the replies. I am in central Arkansas. It has been cold lately...right at freezing...maybe a little lower. I don't know how cold it has to be in order for fuel to gel??? I did check the oil today...no gray foam on the dipstick (however the oil was very black and in need of change) but I did not check the oil cap...will do that tomorrow. However the coolant level was low...added half a gallon. The smoke had a stalt burn smell to it...not sure how to describe it other than that. Will do the cold cylinder test tomorrow.

Assuming this is a cylinder or head gasket problem...and my mechanic expertise being minimal...is this a problem I could work myself through using a repair manual. And approx how much am i going to be out on this deal...doing it myself or taking it to a john deere dealer?

Thanks for all your help.

Willl · Dec 12, 2010

stalt ?, did you mean salt ?

White smoke means one of two things, coolant or fuel.

Coolant would have a slightly sweet smell, fuel would smell like fuel, heavy oil.