425 Quit in 7 Degree Weather

keerym · Dec 22, 2008

How old is your 425? 425s and 445s older than about 1999 are prone to plastic timing gear failures. When they fail, the go suddenly and without warning causeing the engine to stop. You won't notice any symptoms like normal fuel or spark issues.

Before you spend any more time, I strongly suggest you take one of the valve covers off to see if the valves are moving. I suspect this is your problem, and the only way to tell is to take a cover off and look to see if the valves are moving or not.

If this is your problem, major surgury is required. If your technically savy, there are instructions on other websites of how to repair the problem. It will require a new metal timing gear from your Deere dealer. If your not mechanically inclined, you better have the dealer take over.

KennyV · Dec 22, 2008

You can isolate it to fuel problem by giving it another source of fuel. Spray a lot of WD40 into the carb. A engine will start and run on WD40, and it is not as harsh or as dry as ether.
You do not state where you are located but in most areas ethanol is added to gasoline. Use that in the winter and you will raise the vapor point of your fuel and keep water from freezing in the filter or tank. KennyV.

lyle425 · Dec 22, 2008

Thanks to all who have contributed. This is my first use of this forum and I'm really impressed with the knowledge and experience one finds here. Those of you who were thinking about that vulnerable plastic cam shaft gear in the JD 425 series got it right. There's no compression on one side of the engine and the valves aren't moving. No doubt most any of the contributors, if standing here listening to the engine crank might have said early on - "it's not a gas/carb problem, it's a combustion problem."

In any case, I, fortunately, have a friend here in the Grand Rapids, MI area who knows these tractors inside and out and will do the work for me. No surprise he left a voice message on my phone at 6:15PM last night and told me to check for compression/valve movement (I didn't get the message until this afternoon.).

Thanks again.

Gittyup · Dec 22, 2008

I own one of these. I'd be surprised if it's gas related, unless you did get a bad batch of fuel. I would be suspicious of the ignition control module. Mine behaved that way when it got hot. Similar kinds of things can happen to electronics when cold. This is the black module on left side of the tractor that feeds the spark ignition coil things. Easy, 5 minute change out.