Identifying A John Deere PowerTech Engine

This Tech Tip is designed to help equipment owners distinguish the new PowerTech series of John Deere diesel engines from the earlier Series 300 engines. Engines such as the John Deere 4039, 4045, etc. This is important because the new John Deere PowerTech engines share the same model designations as the older John Deere Series 300 but have very different internal parts. In other words, a John Deere Model 4045 for example could be either a Series 300 or a PowerTech engine. Same model. Totally different engine.

How to tell them apart

Valve Cover Sticker

One way to tell a John Deere PowerTech diesel from an earlier series is to look on the valve cover for a sticker saying “PowerTech.” The problem is that the sticker is probably long gone.

Model Number Differences

There is a model number stamped below the serial number on the John Deere engine serial number plate. If the model number ends with “150”, “151”, “180”, “220”, “250”, “275”, or higher it is a PowerTech engine.

Fuel Lift Pump Location

The fuel lift pump on the PowerTech engine is located toward the rear of the engine. The fuel lift pump on the Series 300 is located toward the front of the engine. Again, there are problems with this. Many people can’t correctly identify the front of the engine especially if it happens to be in a loader or a roller where the “front of the engine” faces the rear of the equipment. The “front of the engine” will ALWAYS be the fan end regardless of which way it faces in the equipment its mounted in.

Figure 1: PowerTech Fuel Pump Location

Figure 2: Series 300 Fuel Pump Location

Valve Cover Bolts

Finally, and probably the easiest way to tell a John Deere PowerTech from the earlier Series 300……Just look at the valve cover. If the bolt holes run around the perimeter it is a John Deere diesel, Series 300. If they run down the middle, it is a John Deere PowerTech.

Figure 3: PowerTech Valve Cover

Figure 4: 300 Series Valve Cover

Whether you find yourself with a John Deere PowerTech engine or the earlier John Deere Series 300 engine, Construction Parts HQ has all the parts you need to repair or rebuild it. Construction Parts HQ ships from multiple warehouses across the US making it a convenient choice no matter where you may me located. If repairing or rebuilding is not in your wheelhouse, then our parent company S.A. Dygert’s should be your first choice in service. S.A. Dygert’s repair techs each have over 25 years experience in engine repair and rebuilding.