Long suffering John Deere 318 owner

jvan20p · Jul 26, 2012

Hello,

I found this forum while looking for tips on how to update/upgrade/repair my 1987 vintage John Deere. It is by far the most maintenance-needy and maintenance-difficult piece of equipment I have ever owned (and I've owned several Saabs, so I know whereof I speak). Today I'm replacing all the lines for the fuel system - and to replace the one that brings vacuum to the fuel pump requires removing the engine from the chassis to get the shroud off to be able reach the connection. John Deere didn't know what 'usability' and 'maintainability' meant back then... perhaps in the intervening time the company has learned a little bit of the staggering amount of stuff they didn't know.

kensnelling · Jul 29, 2012

Welcome from Oklahoma. Don't kid yourself, JD knows what they are doing when they build their stuff. Even the push mowers are a PITA to work on.

Ken

DutchHenryBrown · Jul 29, 2012

WELCOME and sounds as if your in for a fun ride......

mguitas · Jul 29, 2012

:welcome:

ducks13 · Jul 29, 2012

Welcome. You don't have to pull the engine to get to the fuel pump vacuum line, I'll try to post instructions later. You have to expect that 25 year old fuel lines need to be replaced.

Briana03 · Aug 1, 2012

Welcome to TBN

I moved your thread to the John Deere Lawn & Garden Forum.

glc24 · Aug 1, 2012

You don't have to pull the engine to get to the fuel pump vacuum line, I'll try to post instructions later.

I'd like to know how you do that too. Sure would save alot of work. You are talking about this one,correct?

Greg

ducks13 · Aug 2, 2012

Yes, I believe that is the one although it doesn't quite look like I recall. You just have to take off the right side cooling shroud, the one piece of sheet metal you that you still have attached there on the right side. The shroud on the back of the engine can stay in place. You will need some needle nose pliers to get a hold on the vacuum line that drive the pump. I believe mine just slid off, I didn't have to get the hose clamp off, the fitting is smooth.