JD 318 idler pulley interference clutch issue?

[Yorick]

Hey, I'm having a weird problem with my JD 318. The clutch pedal goes all the way down, but the tractor just dies when I let it up. It looks like the idler pulley is bumping into the pan. I tried messing with the spring, but that didn't do anything. Any ideas?

 

[NatNat003]

You said something about messing with the spring. If it's too weak or stretched out, the clutch might not release all the way. This can make the belt stick or the pulley go off track. Maybe swap out the spring. Also, take a look at the idler arm pivot. See if it's rusty or worn out, which could be keeping it from moving like it should.

 

[Tractorb055]

Hey, I'm having a weird problem with my JD 318. The clutch pedal goes all the way down, but the tractor just dies when I let it up. It looks like the idler pulley is bumping into the pan. I tried messing with the spring, but that didn't do anything. Any ideas?

bro, this sounds like bad engine mounts problem. On the old 318s, the rubber mounts get worn out over time, and the whole engine sags down a little.
That little bit of sag is all it takes to make the idler pulley misalign and hit the oil pan when you release the clutch. The fix is to replace the engine mounts. They're not too expensive and will solve the problem if that's what's going on

 

[DirtDozer]

Hey, I'm having a weird problem with my JD 318. The clutch pedal goes all the way down, but the tractor just dies when I let it up. It looks like the idler pulley is bumping into the pan. I tried messing with the spring, but that didn't do anything. Any ideas?

By how you describe the stalling, I'd suspect it's either a binding idler pulley or a bad belt. That clutch pedal is really a brake that disengages the hydrostatic drive by pulling the idler pulley. If the pulley is hitting the pan, it's not pulling the belt enough. So first, check the belt for wear and make sure it's the correct belt for a 318. If the belt is fine, the issue is likely the idler pulley itself. The bushing in the idler pulley arm wears out over time, causing it to sag and hit the pan. The only real fix is to replace the idler arm and the pulley.