JD Gator 6x4 water pump replacement

tstex · Oct 18, 2011

Gentlemen,

Last time to the well on this one...wanted to know if anyone has pulled the engine on a 1997/98 JD 6x4 gator and what type of work/parts are involved? I heard you need a complete gasket set and will then have to replace all the fluids [oil/filter and antifreeze/water]. I have water in my crankcase and the good news it looks like it is not either the block or crackedhead...

I appreciate any of your help and advice, you guys have been great.

Thank you,
tstex

John730D · Oct 18, 2011

I'm not familiar with those engines, but how does a bad waterpump put water in the oil?

Bob · Oct 18, 2011

Probably like my son's Kawasaki... gear driven with NO weep hole, so there's no EXTERNAL leakage or means to know the seal has failed. DUMB idea!

Buckeye · Oct 18, 2011

There are 2 - 3 different gaskets/seals pancaked under the water pump. When I took the bolts out on mine to replace the water pump, the gaskets below were disturbed enough to cause, in my case, an external water/anti-freeze leak. You have to take the front main bearing cover off and start from there and replace the gaskets. The bolts that hold the water pump on hold everything together on the front of the engine.

tstex · Oct 18, 2011

Buckeye,

Thank you for your explanation...did you have to pull or move the engine to do so? JD is quoting 8-9 hrs for this type job. I know there is a lot of work to get to the water pump, but ws trying to ascertain the exact time?

My problem was the radiator kept getting low on antifreeze and the engine heat-light would come on, thus the fan would not kick-in...all this time I thought it could be a radiator sensor issue, but when I kept having to replace radiator fluid AND when I checked the oil the oil line was 2-3 times higher than it should be, plus the milky gray color, I knew I had a leak from the cooling system to the crankcase...this explains everything now.

I was just trying to get a handle on the parts: water pump, multiple gasket sets, oil/oil filter and anti-freeze, plus the labor Also, when pulling the engine, I guess you have to set the main belt and anything else tension related that when you pull/loosen the engine, you have to re-tighten again.

And yes, this is a Kawasaki engine...and that is how water gets into the engine.

Thank you,
Tstex

JoeM(GA) · Oct 18, 2011

shoot me your email address I have a PDF file of the service manual you are welcome to

[email protected]

Buckeye · Oct 19, 2011

I pulled the whole engine. It's not that hard to do and a whole lot easier to work on. I had to rebuild the transmission once and pulled it to work on it too. All I had to do to it was replace a gear because it would not stay in gear. I traded the gas model off on a diesel which I still have and it has over 6000 hours on it. I bought an 820 diesel gator two years ago and have over 1000 hours on it already.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 21, 2011

Changing the water pump is an easy job on the 6x4 gas Gator. I have done a couple with the engine in the machine - pull the exhaust and you have access.

The reason for your temp light coming on, but no fan - There are two temp sensors on these - one on the engine that controls the light on the dash, and one on the radiator that controls the fan. No water hot water pumping to the radiator, no fan!

Be sure to change the thermostat at the same time.

JD Gator 6x4 water pump replacement

tstex

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John730D

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Bob

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Buckeye

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tstex

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JoeM(GA)

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Buckeye

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Anonymous-0

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