I/P lens fogging on 4210

   / I/P lens fogging on 4210 #1  

JohnMC

Member
Joined
Apr 25, 2004
Messages
28
Location
MI
Tractor
JD 4210
From reading some past posts I see many others have had foggin complaints on the i/p lens. I took mine to the dealer last week and they installed the latest anti-fog lens. Now it is much worse then my original lens was. The dealer says there are no other fixes and he would call John Deere and make a case and see what their suggestions are for the next step. I know Deere will probably not do anything but I am totally frustrated now that the lens is worse. Anyone have any ideas other then taking it apart and trying Rain-X or some other product on it? I expect a $17,000 tractor not to have a foggy lens being only 6 months old.........
 
   / I/P lens fogging on 4210 #2  
I feel your pain.. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif..

My dealer was great he done everything I asked to try to resolve the issue. replaced glass with antifog kit - still fogging; replaced the whole instrument cluster/glass - still fogging; waited six months and asked to have the whole instrument cluster and glass replaced again hoping for a updated part - still fogging. Dealer said it was a known problem and if replacing the glass did not fix it then there was nothing more he could do. He said he would relay my concerns to Deere.
I think it is caused by the engine blowing hot air on th back of the instrument cluster and heating the air in between the glass and console. Cool outside and hot inside causes fog.... I have thought about ahearing some type of a thermal barrier on the back of the instrument console to see if this would help. I know they make insulating heat tape or shields for the auto world.
To read other responses you can search this forum for my posts and see where I posted the same question as you a while back.
I did finally get my owner satisfaction survey in the mail from Deere. I gave them the worst rating on this fogging issue and explained my concern about spending 18,000 dollars on a tractor that had a fogging dash that could not be fixed. I know some people reading this think we are making a mountain out of a mole hill, but if you are like me when I spend a LOT of money on something, like a tractor, I expect everything to work correctly when I get home with it. Most people wouldn't dream of spending this kind of money for a tractor - most wouldn't spend this much on a car.
This is a known problem so they should just fix it - end of story. If they have to redesign a new instrument cluster then so be it. We should not have to pay for or live with a poor design. Sorry to ramble on but this subject get me going. Please let me know (post here so everyone will know) if you get your issue resolved.
 
   / I/P lens fogging on 4210 #3  
I bought (actually traded for) my 4200 when it had a whopping 80-90 hours on it and it was current year (2000 machine at the very end of 2000). I read on here of the fogging problem and, sure enough, on certain warm days mine fogs up. It's not so severe that I can't see through it to get gauge readings though it takes a moment longer to focus, maybe. Given the problems members here have reported with the 'fix,' I just decided to live with mine.

Don't get me wrong. If Deere comes out with a true fix that works, I'll sure look into it then. For now, though, I just decided to live with it. I figure I've burnt the loader bucket, scraped up the backhoe with chain marks from using it as a boom/hoist, broken my grille, broken one engine cowel and broken both warning lights not to mention rubbed and chipped her more places than I can count so I can live with an imperfect instrument panel. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
   / I/P lens fogging on 4210 #4  
My 4 year old 4400 has this problem but its not to bad, so I live with it. As mentioned, this is a very old long standing problem and you think JD would have fixed it by now, at least on newer models. I have always thought that the solution to this is to put breathing holes in the back of the panel so that air can easily move in and out of the IP. My theory is that if the air inside and outside are at the same temperature and humidity, you won't get fogging.
Any thoughts on this?
 
   / I/P lens fogging on 4210 #5  
I almost posted that mine never exhibited this broblem, but heavy mowing ona ~100 degree day did it. It wasn't too bad, but differing humidity conditions could make a big differance I agree that some kind of insulation, or air breathers (but you don't want to gather dust in there...) would seem to fix it.

But the problem is merely an annoyance, and why so many are letting a little thing cloud their view of such an amazing machine, I don;t get.

I am not making this up, but I was told that my deere really was no better than a Jinma because its dash fogged. I LIKE a dash that fogs once in a while..!
 
   / I/P lens fogging on 4210
  • Thread Starter
#6  
With the original lens I didn't have major fogging like I do with the replacement lens.The origianal fogged up about 3" in diameter over the hour meter and to the right. The new lens almost covers the entire lens and it is so bad it looks like the lens is filled with cigarette smoke and very cloudy. I can't accept the severe haze. If I knew this would happen I would have left the original in there. If Deere doesn't come thru then i'll probably pull the lens myself and try Rain-X anti-fog solution and see what happens.
 
   / I/P lens fogging on 4210 #7  
My 4310 had a fogging problem. I put in the replacement kit myself. So far so good. Keep in mind that fog is caused by moisture and dust particles. I picked a very dry calm day to replace mine and cleaned the instrument face with an alcohol dampened rag to get it really clean before installing the new kit. I'm not sure if this made a difference but it made sense to me.
 

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