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John Deere 345 Troubleshooting
The
John Deere 345 garden tractor was manufactured between 1995 and 2001. The John
Deere 345 driveline includes a 35.7 cubic inches Kawasaki FD590V 2-cylinder
vertical shaft OHV liquid cooled gasoline engine with a max power of 18 hp (13.4
kW) or Kawasaki FD611V 2-cylinder vertical shaft OHV liquid cooled gasoline
engine with a max power of 20 hp (14.9 kW), and Tuff Torq K70 belt-driven
hydrostatic transmission or Tuff Torq K71 hydrostatic transmission.
The engines have a float type carburetor with fixed main jet, diaphragm
type mechanical pump, and full pressure lubrication system.
Max. forward speed - 7 mph (11.3 kph), maximum reverse speed - 6 mph
(11.3 kph). The John Deere 345 tractor is fitted with 16x6.50-8 front
tires and 23x10.50-12 rear tires. The wheelbase is 47.9 in (1215 mm).
The tractor can be equipped with the following attachments: 38", 44",
48", and 54" mid-mount mower decks with a hydraulic lift system, 42"
single-stage front-mount snow blower, and 48" front blade with a manual
lifting.
| Engine Troubleshooting |
| Engine will not start or difficult to start |
| Empty gas tank - Add fuel |
| Wrong grade of gasoline - Use correct fuel grade |
| Fuel system clogged - Repair or replace |
| Spark plug wiring connection is defective - Check the spark plug wire connection, repair or replace |
| Damaged spark plug - Change spark plug |
| Plugged fuel filter - Fuel filter needs to be replaced |
| Faulty safety switch - Change damaged switch |
| Problems with carburetor adjustment - Adjust as required |
| Engine has low compression - Check cylinder block and replace defective parts |
| Unadjusted or worn throttle cable - Adjust properly or replace the cable |
| Cooling fins are clogged - Need to wash or clean |
| Ignition system failure - Inspect ignition system and change failed components |
| Stuck or defective throttle cable - Service or change the cable |
| Air filter element is plugged - Clean or replace air filter |
| Fuel pump is defective or dirty - Clean or change fuel pump |
| Engine starts and stops suddenly |
| Damaged spark plug - Change spark plug as required |
| Carburetor is faulty or dirty - Service or replace carburetor |
| Faulty ignition coil - Install a new ignition coil |
| Loose or broken valve springs - Change valve springs |
| Stuck valves - Valves need to be cleaned |
| Engine oil level low - Check oil level and add oil as required |
| Engine overload - Reduce load |
| Clogged cooling fins - Wash or clean as required |
| Carburetor fuel mixture is too lean - Set the carburetor correctly |
| Incorrect ignition timing - Adjust ignition timing as required |
| Wrong valve setting - Set the valves properly |
| Stale fuel - Change gasoline |
| Excessive engine load - Reduce load |
| Lack of engine oil - Check and refill engine oil |
| Wrong adjustment of low idle speed - Adjust the low idle speed |
| Fuel pump is clogged or faulty - Service or change fuel pump |
| Worn main bearings or crankshaft - Replace crankshaft or bearings |
| Excessive valve clearance - Need to adjust valve clearance |
| Piston rings or cylinder bore are worn - Change defective parts |
| Carburetor is dirty or improperly adjusted - Service or properly adjust carburetor |
| Dirty air filter element - Replace or clean air filter |
| Fuel pump is damaged or dirty - Clean or change fuel pump |
| Ignition system malfunction - Inspect ignition system and change failed components |
| Defective cylinder head gasket - Replace cylinder head gasket |
| Stuck or burned valves - Service or replace valves |
| Damaged or worn push rod - Push rod needs to be changed |
| Cylinder block parts are faulty - Change defective parts |
| Engine uses too much fuel |
| Choke is not fully open - Check choke cable and adjust it |
| Improper carburetor main jet adjustment - Adjust the carburetor main jet correctly |
| Spark plug is loose or faulty - Change or re-tighten spark plug |
| Stuck, worn, or burned valves - Service or replace valves |
| Rings, sleeve, or piston are damaged - Replace defective components as required |
| Valve clearance is incorrect - Adjustment procedure required |
| Engine oil consumption is too high |
| Gaskets or seals can be faulty - Worn parts need to be replaced |
| Damaged valve stems or valve guides - Valves must be replaced |
| Piston rings are stuck or worn - Install new piston rings |
| Cylinder liner or piston is scuffed - Check liner and piston, change as required |
| Clogged breather hose or pipe - Service or replace |
| Hydrostatic Transmission Troubleshooting |
| HST transmission noise |
| Worn or out of adjustment speed control linkage - Repair or adjust linkage |
| Transmission is under excessive load - Reduce transmission load |
| Transmission oil is contaminated or oil level is insufficient - Fill to required level or change the transmission oil |
| Transmission parts are worm or defective - Change or repair defective parts |
| Shift linkage is corroded or worn - Lubricate or replace linkage |
| Faulty or blocked hydrostatic pump - Replace or repair pump |
| Transmission shift control parts are damaged or misadjusted - Replace or adjust as required |
| Insufficient transmission oil - Add oil to the transmission housing |
| Drive sheave is worn or faulty - Replace sheave |
| Shifter linkage is not adjusted or faulty - Adjust properly or change linkage |
| Speed control pedal linkage is damaged or out of adjustment - Adjust or change linkage |
| Broken transmission gaskets or seals - Change gaskets or seals |
| Final drive shaft leaks - Shaft seals need to be changed |
| Cracked transmission case - Change broken case |
| Mower Deck Troubleshooting |
| Mower vibrates excessively |
| Drive pulley of mower deck is damaged or dirty - Clean or change pulley |
| Loose or defective drive belt - Install a new belt or adjust belt tension |
| Not balanced or bent mower blades - Balance or change as needed |
| Loose blade bolts tightening - Tighten it fast |
| Constant clogging of discharge chute |
| Fast mowing speed - Select a lower speed |
| Grass is too high - Use a lower cutting height |
| Low engine speeds - Adjust throttle to full opening |
| Cutting level is too low - Use correct cutting height |
| Improper drive belt installation - Check drive belt for correct installation |
| Grass patches are not cut |
| Cutting deck clogging - Clean mower deck as required |
| Blades are not sharp - Need a blade sharpening |
| Worn or defective blades - Blades need to be replaced |
| High mowing speed - Select a lower speed |
| Cutting level is too low - Change cutting height adjustment |
| Filled grass bag - Remove grass from bag |
| Bumpy or not smooth lawn - Lawn needs to be leveled |
| Cutting level is too low - Need to set high cutting height |
| High mowing speed - Select a lower speed |
| Improper mower deck level - Deck should be adjusted correctly |
| Blades are worn or bent - Blades need to be replaced |
| Tires are not correctly inflated - Check and inflate the tires |
| Tires are not correctly inflated - Check and inflate the tires |
| Improper mower deck level - Level the deck correctly |
| Blades are excessively dull - Sharpen the blades |
| Blades are worn or damaged - Install new blades |
| Mower deck is clogged - Clean out the mower deck |
| Deck housing is broken - Replace or repair the deck |
| Mower spindle is faulty or loose - Replace or repair the spindle |
| Electrical Troubleshooting |
| Battery cannot be charged |
| Electrical cable connections are loose or corroded - Tighten or clean connections |
| Faulty electrical terminal connectors - Install new terminal connectors |
| Faulty cell in battery - Use a new battery |
| Battery capacity is low - Recharge the battery |
| Battery is not holding charge - Service or replace the battery |
| Battery cables are disconnected or terminals are faulty - Connect wiring properly or install new terminals |
| Battery is drained or defective - Replace or charge as required |
| Battery cables are disconnected or improperly connected - Inspect cables and connect properly |
| Low battery output - Recharge the battery |
| Incorrectly gapped or worn spark plug - Clean, gap or change spark plug |
| Solenoid or starter motor failure - Repair starter or install a new solenoid |
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| Lawn and Garden Tractors Technical Specs |
