Spring 2016 Update - John Deere 316 Fire and Jimmy's 318

Not the way I wanted to start off my spring mowing season, especially after I just spent nearly a MONTH cleaning up the Onan P218G engine in the 316, giving it a 30-year checkup, and getting it ready to go for the spring. Everything is explained in the video. It made me sick to shoot this video....but at least I was able to borrow a good friend's 318 to use in the meantime. Thanks again Jimmy.

[@BenKempa]

That really sucks. I'm sorry to hear about that tractor. It's a great thing that you got it outside and the 210 didn't catch fire. Some people will just look at it as a lawn mower, but anyone who has put money and time into fixing one of these old tractors up knows they're so much more. It really sucks that you'll have to scrap a bunch of it, but hopefully in the end, you'll get that 318 you've always wanted.

[@MichaelTJD60]

+Ben Kempa Hopefully. I'll see what the insurance company gives me. It was sad to see it go especially since I had spent a lot of time fixing it and the previous owner put a lot of effort into painting it.

[@kirbyammonsjr8491]

Ben Kempa do you have a carb for a 214 John Deere

[@alexsyt462]

It pains me too see a burnt 316 like this, but its a good thing ur ok

[@MichaelTJD60]

Still pains me almost 5 years later that this one burned up. But I've been fortunate enough to have had two more 316's and five 318's since this one burnt, so that definitely helps.

[@alexsyt462]

@@MichaelTJD60 yeah I'm sure, I just got a 316 with a snowblower attachment, deck, and wheel weights with chains for free. And that is one of the last things I want to happen to it.

[@Wannagobackto1980]

NETTY POT my man. Works like a charm. For your sinus's

[@jamesburton1587]

R.I.P 316 :(

[@paulg444]

My first thought was that this is a great time to build your own custom sheet metal hood !!!..

[@MichaelTJD60]

Would certainly be an interesting modification to do.

[@GlynRobinson]

Jimmy's 318 has a nice seat cover, too! ;)

[@mikesecondo2254]

Lesson learned... don't burn your tractor!!! I always hated those 316!!

[@noahlechner1036]

Sorry to see your tractor like that, it looked amazing. I hope you can get it back to its original state of condition.

[@MichaelTJD60]

+Noah Lechner Thanks Noah. Unfortunately there's a good chance I'm going to part it out and replace with a 318. The rest of the machine is in good condition but after using this 318 with power steering and a few other things the 316 didn't have, it would be foolish to step back down from a 318 to a 316 again. I'm almost positive it's getting replaced with a 318.

[@noahlechner1036]

yea i would love to have a 318 but i dont have the room. The nice part about my tractor is it is has H3 hydraulics. good luck with finding a nce 318.

[@MichaelTJD60]

Thanks. I forgot your 316 has H3.

[@davidsmathers5621]

Hi Michael I just watched your video on your 316 with the 16hp Kohler motor just like the one iam looking to buy yours is a 78 wow nice

[@lobsterbox20]

What good luck in a bad situation that you were able to push that tractor out of the garage in time with no injuries, especially since that neutral switch can be tricky to reach. I've never suffered a loss like that, how devastating! I haven't watched the video where you tear into it yet but my fingers are crossed.

[@MichaelTJD60]

Yeah even to this day I'm still really happy it wasn't any worse. But since I have college coming up I think I'm just going to sell this along with another 316 I bought for parts.

[@FarmBoy1208]

Dang man that truthfully sucks. I love my 400, id pain me so bad to see it up in flames. It worries me because it can run quite hot after a long days work. I really hope it all works out for you and you get that machine back it working order!

[@MichaelTJD60]

+FarmBoy 1208 One of the flaws with the old garden tractors. The old horizontal twin engines run very hot. It figures, I spend all that time and money cleaning up the engine to keep it from overheating, and then it goes up in flames lol. Thanks for the comment. I really want to just part it out and replace it with a 318.

[@FarmBoy1208]

Yeah man, stuff happens, gotta move on, my neighbor has a 318, great machines.

[@davidsmathers5621]

Sorry for your loss on your mower

[@Moxie4358]

Time to take it apart put another engine in so it doesn’t happen again, scrape and sand the chard parts repaint, new parts and there you go!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👏😁 and I feel really bad I love John Deere, and it’s sad but don’t be so sad you didn’t lose the whole thing... it looks to be restorable... make a video of you restoring it again please...👍🏻 take care

[@MichaelTJD60]

I've seen machines burnt worse than this get brought back to life and I wish I could have revived this one, but the most practical choice for me at the time was to part it out and scrap what was left. Several of the parts off this machine helped revive another 316 that I bought after this one.

[@greenyellafella3777]

that is sad but glad you and your home came out alright. I remember watching your video of when you brought this girl home. I guess DJ is jdgator to whom I've spoken with on the phone a couple times,and he a great fella,told he has an uncle here in Iowa he can come stay with anytime and 318 guy must be a heck of a guy too,seems it on his videos. well I hope the insurance and all works your way ya probably already have a video on here about I haven't seen yet. oh, I have an '87 318 that will need this and that I'll make you a good deal on a 317 too or an x520. good luck

[@MichaelTJD60]

Thanks, yeah DJ and Jimmy are good friends of mine and I'm glad they have my back. Not sure if you've seen some of my newer videos but I now have a brand new X570 tractor in place of the old 316. Thanks for the offer though, when I start looking for a 300 series again I will let you know.

[@ooferdanoob6013]

Your very lucky that your garage didnt burn and i feel bad for the john deere

[@MichaelTJD60]

Yeah I really am thankful that it wasn't any worse. It's a good thing I went out into the garage before it spread. I really wish I still had that tractor, it was one of the nicest vintage garden tractors I've ever used.

[@paulg444]

How did this happen ? What caused the fire ?.. Ok, I found it, starts @11:20.. Ok, so if I understand it then a fuel line melted and started to pour fuel onto the hot engine manifold. Great information. Many thanks. I think Im going to take a look at my 316 and install an insulated heat proof fuel line and a shut off valve.

[@MichaelTJD60]

After further investigation it turned out to be an electrical fire. The wiring behind the flywheel (from the stator) grounded or shorted out and started the fire and it worked its way up the wiring, to the coil and voltage regulator, and then to the hood...once the hood caught fire then everything underneath it was toast.

[@john6218att]

i have a 420 and like with the rest of my tractors i bought a battery post disconnect and thats the best insurance you can buy. no worries as to it catching fire . I had a ford backhoe catch fire caused by a stuck voltage regulator, luckily I was right there when it happened to unhook the battery.

[@MichaelTJD60]

Good move. I will look into getting battery disconnects in the future.

[@jtbott_12]

That's a real bummer man, I hope you get your own 318 soon. I do apologize for deleting my videos and leaving KZbin. I hope to make videos again.

[@MichaelTJD60]

+J.T. Bott Thanks man, we will get it straightened out. Glad to have you back, I was wondering what happened to ya.

[@jeffgjersvik]

I just had the same fire on my John Deere 318 tractor mowed for about an hour and parked it in the garage and it must’ve burst into flames shortly after that . fire department came and was able to get fire out but we had to leave tractor in garage . Didn’t you ever figure out what caused the fire on your tractor ? My fire damage the same as yours. Thanks

[@MichaelTJD60]

It was an electrical fire that started behind the flywheel and worked its way up to the top of the engine taking all the wiring with it (stator, coil, plug wires), and then catching the firewall foam and the hood on fire. I am guessing there was a chafed or shorted out wire or a bad ground somewhere in the wiring for the stator, and after a day of mowing (and building up heat) it ignited.

[@grantpreston454]

That really sucks thank the lord your house is ok

[@MichaelTJD60]

Yep I'm really glad the fire did not spread.

[@bigjohnrailproductions8370]

I feel sorry for JD316. The 316 will or will not be fix? The detail is gone. Good luck fixing it.

[@MichaelTJD60]

+JOHNRAIL& RACEFAN88 Most likely parting out and buying a 318 to replace it.

[@1teddy1979]

should buy that 318. give a paint job and it will look good

[@MichaelTJD60]

+1teddy1979 In addition to new piston rings and valves and a rebuilt power steering system...then maybe I would consider buying it.

[@redneckbryon]

That definitely truly sucks but like you said your lucky you didn't lose your entire house. Your lucky the flames didn't get to the gas tank and your battery didn't fully explode, I'm actually surprised the firefighters didn't take the battery to have it disposed of correctly. From the video your rear fenders look salvageable and the side hood panels with some straightening and clearly new paint, maybe ok. To be honest I don't know to like or dislike this video, considering the circumstances and the situation, so I did neither. Really, the concept of liking and disliking can sometimes be difficult, I know haters like disliking videos to be jerks, but if it's sad content it's more appropriate to dislike. Weren't you having truck problems a few months back what happened with that??

[@MichaelTJD60]

+ARednecksLife Thanks for the view and comment, I am real thankful that nothing worse happened to me or my house or the tractor. But I most likely am going to part it out. Not sure what truck problems you are referring to. I had it out for 3 weeks to get a rusty door panel replaced but other than that I haven't had trouble. You might be thinking of someone else.

[@robertduncan2742]

Add a fan if your running with the sides on. The crap that gathers us amazing that why one needs to setup a cleaning schedule.

[@MichaelTJD60]

I cleaned out the cooling fins and screens once a month when I was using that tractor commercially. It's one of the most important steps you can take to extend the life of the Onan engine. In this case, the fire wasn't due to overheating from blocked airflow...I had just had the engine out to get freshened up and I cleaned it very thoroughly...only had 7 hours on it when it went up in flames...it ran like a new engine up until that point.

[@GlynRobinson]

thanks for the JD garden tractor page. i just joined. maybe they'll approve me. haha

[@MichaelTJD60]

+Glyn Robinson Welcome to the group lol.

[@GlynRobinson]

haha thanks

[@patrickflohe7427]

I’m so sorry bout your awesome tractor. Do you still have the remains of this tractor? My 316 needs a new hydraulic pump.

[@MichaelTJD60]

Unfortunately I parted it out and scrapped the rest of it 5 years ago. Wish I had the time to rebuild and restore this one but it just wasn't practical for me at the time.

[@Goatguy2021]

Where would you recommend getting brakes for my John Deere 112L

[@MichaelTJD60]

www.greenpartstore.com/John-Deere-Brake-Pad-Kit--MIA10323_p_2912.html

[@PhatboyHD88]

Man buddy I know this is a old video but still ,, man that sucks buddy... I hope the insurance company gave you enough to get another one .. or was the x570 replace that ? Hey on another note , I also have a mint condition 317 with the series 2 engine remote oil filter etc.. my tractor seems to be missing the cooling tin that raps around the bottom then the front of the cylinders on the right side of you are facing the pto ... the engine was installed by John Deere after the original series 1 Koehler died.. so I'm not sure why it isn't on there ... but I used a laser temp gun to see if it made a difference.. and the left side with the shield was 170 degrees and the right without the shield was 214 degrees... so I am looking for that one piece of cylinder shield if you know where I can get one I'd be real great full... thanks in advance buddy

[@MichaelTJD60]

The X570 replaced it. I'll look around and see if anyone I know is parting a 317.

[@vickymorris8518]

So sorry that happend man :(

[@MichaelTJD60]

Thanks. It was unfortunate, but I'll find another one someday.

[@johndeerfan5599]

Yeagh. My John deer 318 was reving up to high when I was mowing with it yesterday. What might be the problem for that? Because I don't want it to happen with my restored 318

[@MichaelTJD60]

Plastic flyball spacer is slipping on the cam gear and needs to be replaced. You'll have to pull the engine out. I have to do that repair on my current 318.

[@johndeerfan5599]

@@MichaelTJD60 thanks I'll check that out

[@johndeerfan5599]

@@MichaelTJD60 I'm sorry about the 316. That was a beautiful tractor.

[@MichaelTJD60]

@@johndeerfan5599 Thank you, it really was a sharp tractor and I miss it.

[@MichaelTJD60]

@@HartingFarms Boomer's Onan Parts sells OEM ones, and now there's a guy selling aftermarket ones on eBay.

[@1teddy1979]

Oh man I just watched a bit further 300 hrs! last year maybe it is time to upgrade to a subcompact 2210, 2305, 1026

[@MichaelTJD60]

+1teddy1979 I would like one in the future for sure but I don't have the room for one lol. Too big for some of these lawns.

[@1teddy1979]

+MichaelTJD60 actually I bet if you had it you would find it quite maneuverable not much bigger footprint then a 300 series

[@MichaelTJD60]

True. I just don't have the tools or skill to work on a diesel engine. Someday I will but not right now. I do want to get a JD or Ford compact someday.

[@1teddy1979]

+MichaelTJD60 ya I see your point

[@carlalangley4668]

Ok just making sure

[@dannyallen5107]

Any luck with insurance? If not what are your plans for a replacement.

[@MichaelTJD60]

+Daniel Allen I got $3500 for it, but after compromising with my dad, he's going to spend some of it on a zero turn mower for him to use while I'm away at college, and I had a couple people offer me free parts to rebuild the 316. At this point I have to tear into it and that will determine whether I do rebuild it, or just part it out.

[@kirbyammonsjr8491]

I have a 214 does this tractor have the same issue, I need a carburetor for mine it was back firing real back caught fire found ou thg after fire was put out bowl on carburetor was leaking carburetor was cracked from heat that's why I need a carb can it be out of thy timing. Please help if uh ou can.

[@MichaelTJD60]

Check the points gap and make sure the condenser is good. I doubt it's a carb problem, most likely ignition.

[@66Oliver]

Mike, how did you manage to get rid of the rest of the parted machine? My 420 parts aren’t sellin.

[@MichaelTJD60]

Sold a couple parts individually like the grill, taillights, and driveshaft. Swapped the mower deck and trans over to my '84 316, and sold the engine, wheels, and fenders to a collector in northern NJ for way too cheap. Then scrapped the frame (with the hydraulics, steering, and front axle still in it, like an idiot). If I had more time I would have parted it out completely.

[@66Oliver]

MichaelTJD60 How long did that take?

[@MichaelTJD60]

@@66Oliver About 3 months.

[@blaisegroff5110]

why that sucks I'm 14 & just restored my first tractor a 111 I would be devastated if that happened to me

[@MichaelTJD60]

+Blaise Groff Yeah it would be a shame. I'm happy my 210 didn't go up in flames. I restored that one but the 316 was restored by the previous owner (and he did a much better job than me).

[@kalebnorris9684]

Did they give you any money for it

[@dannythedeerenut3897]

whatd your parents say Mike? i just noticed you said you were home alone at the time

[@MichaelTJD60]

They were just happy I saved the house. My dad just wanted me to find a new machine to replace this one.

[@04tacomaguy1]

sad about the 316 fire.. ive had my john deere for over 12 years and run a lawn service business with it and never let them idle especially after being hot. except to warm it up.. the idle could have over heated it..

[@MichaelTJD60]

I'm picky when it comes to idling these air cooled engines. Every engine is different but I usually rev the engine up to wide open again for a few seconds before idling it back down. Heat didn't cause this fire though. It was an electrical short.

[@04tacomaguy1]

good luck with the business man i also cut for myself with my own business wouldn't trade it for the world. best feeling being self employed and getting to drive a deere everyday, shout out from Virginia

[@MichaelTJD60]

Thanks man. Right now the lawn care business seems to be working out better than college.

[@04tacomaguy1]

i can relate man back in 2014 i quit college to landscape full time and haven't regretted it at all

[@drewhunt2622]

do you know if you will keep the 316 or will you use it as a parts tractor?

[@MichaelTJD60]

+Drew Hunt Part it out and replace it with a 318 is what I will most likely be doing.

[@benschlechter]

+MichaelTJD60 Sorry to hear about the 316. Did it end up in the junkyard?

[@MichaelTJD60]

Not yet. I'm slowly taking it apart. Sheet metal is going to be scrapped aside from the fenders. I'm going to sell the frame, trans, and wheels all together and try to sell the engine separate.

[@davidsmathers5621]

If I had anything I would give to you but sorry I don't the is my first used tractor in a few years

[@codyammon3432]

hey man let me know i can get hood and side panels and thought you were in pa

[@MichaelTJD60]

+cody ammon Thanks Cody I have to see what my deal is with this machine once I tear it apart. I'm in southern NJ.

[@luciendube4393]

I doubt it will start. If you have to buy a new tractor will you part this out?

[@JDGator]

Shut up that was an amazing tractor. Unless you've seen it in person you don't know how much time and money he put into it.

[@luciendube4393]

+JD Gator but the electric melted.

[@JDGator]

+Lucien Dube you need to stop spamming this comments.

[@luciendube4393]

+JD Gator I'm not and you don't have to be so rude about it.

[@MichaelTJD60]

+Lucien Dube You kinda are...not trying to be rude. But back to your original question yes the 316 will be parted out.

[@Powerstroke97F350]

that's sucks to see a good tractor go up like that. what's your mytractorforum name? im on there as well.

[@MichaelTJD60]

+Ford lawn mowers Same as my KZbin username - MichaelTJD60. What's yours?

[@Powerstroke97F350]

Here's mine www.mytractorforum.com/members/154425-ford-lawnmower-fan.html Also what year is your 210?

[@MichaelTJD60]

I just read your signature, holy crap you have a lot of Fords lol. The 210 is a 1983 model.

[@Powerstroke97F350]

I bought some for parts but got them running instead lol. We have a 87 212 with a bagger, snowblower, snow plow and a thatcher, 2nd owners of it.

[@MichaelTJD60]

Nice, sounds like a good worker tractor.

[@robertsonnenstuhl2506]

im a little late but that sucks at least it wasnt the 210

[@MichaelTJD60]

At this point I'd rather it have been the 210.

[@carlalangley4668]

Dooes a 210 have an oil filter

[@MichaelTJD60]

No. The K series Kohler singles never had oil filters.

[@luciendube4393]

I hate to say it but it doesn't look like the insurance company will tell you to rebuild.

[@BenKempa]

Why are you so negative?

[@luciendube4393]

+MichaelTJD60 holy crap you could buy like 4 318's with that kind of money!

[@MichaelTJD60]

+Lucien Dube I only need one though...the rest of the money would go toward a trailer and parts for my truck.

[@luciendube4393]

+MichaelTJD60 or a new truck or an x700 Series.

[@luciendube4393]

+Ben Kempa I'm just being honest... I have never seen any piece of equipment that has had had fire like that start up in that kind of shape. And the electric is melted so it won't start anyway.

[@calebbisson4577]

man that sucks. should fix it though!

[@MichaelTJD60]

+Caleb Bisson I'd like to but looking ahead into the future I think a 318 or larger would make an even more suitable tractor for me. After using this 318 it would be foolish to step back down to the 316 again, unless I kept it as a backup.

[@calebbisson4577]

+MichaelTJD60 true or just retire it to plowing

[@MichaelTJD60]

+Caleb Bisson That would be the 318's job. Dual hydraulics and power steering really make a difference when it comes to plowing snow especially.

[@calebbisson4577]

MichaelTJD60 true. If you drive all the way up to Northern vermont, for 3200$ you can get a restored 318 with a brand new 18hp Honda!

[@MichaelTJD60]

That's a little far lol.

[@jeremylee99100]

we put 800 hours on our bad boys in a year

[@MichaelTJD60]

That's a lot of mowing. If this mess hadn't happened I probably could get about 500 hours on the 316 this season.

[@weekendriders2962]

we are putting 200hr a month on my lx188 and 332

[@kevinroberts8021]

gas got on something hot and started a fire

[@MichaelTJD60]

+Kevin Roberts No, either the voltage regulator or time delay module shorted out and caused an electrical fire.

[@dannyallen5107]

I'm concerned about my 317 bursting into flames.

[@MichaelTJD60]

+Daniel Allen What makes you say that?

[@dannyallen5107]

The PTO clutch will smoke from friction without it engaged. I just got the thing last fall, it sat for over 3 years. Got it for 350 and threw some cash in it. It runs and functions good though.

[@MichaelTJD60]

Might just need a simple air gap adjustment on the PTO. They can be a little tricky.

[@silassiebers4642]

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭