Case 85XT Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The Case 85XT skid steer loader is powered by 239 cu.in (3.9L) Case 4-390 4-stroke 4-cylinder direct injection naturally aspirated diesel engine with a rated power of 80 hp (59.7 kW) at 2200 rpm. The Case 85XT is equipped with a hydrostatic transmission, 100HS continuous roller chains, vertical-lift boom, and 12x16.5 standard tires. The open center hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 20.3 gpm (77 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3000 psi (207 bar). The skid steer loader has a rated operating capacity of 2400 lbs (1090 kg) and tipping load of 4800 lbs (2180 kg). The boom lifting force is 4935 lbs (2245 kg), and bucket breakout force is 6175 lbs (2805 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts hard or doesn't start

There is air in the fuel system - Bleed the system.
Fuel filter element clogging - Filter maintenance required.
Fuel injection nozzles are faulty or clogged - Clean or replace injection nozzles.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
Excessive valve clearance - Adjustment procedure required.
Fuel injection pump is damaged - Repair or install a new fuel pump.

Engine starts but then stalls

Plugged air filter - Replace or clean air filter element.
Fuel filter plugged - Clean or replace the filter.
Fuel injection pump leakage - Check the fuel injection pump for leaks and fix it.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Defective fuel injection pump - Install a new fuel pump or repair.

Engine stalls during operation

Engine is not fully warmed up - Normalize the temperature by warming up the engine.
Fuel filter plugging - Replace filter element.
Air trapped in fuel system - Bleed air.
Fuel injection nozzles are dirty or defective - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Improper setting of fuel injection pump timing - Use the correct fuel injection pump timing adjustment.

Engine shuts off while idling

Incorrect low idle speed adjustment - Correct low idle adjustment.
Defective fuel injection pump - Rebuild or change fuel pump.
Dirty or defective injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
The valve clearance is not adjusted - Adjust valve clearance.

Engine loses power

Dirty air filter - Replace or clean air filter element.
Fuel injection nozzles are faulty or clogged - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Fuel injection pressure is incorrect - Check the fuel injection pressure and adjust if necessary.
Valve clearance is out of adjustment - Correct valve clearance.
Incorrect low idle speed adjustment - Correct the settings.
Clogged fuel lines or hoses - Service fuel hoses and lines.
Blown cylinder head gasket - Install new cylinder head gasket.
Leaking or defective piston rings - Change piston rings.

Engine overheating

Not enough coolant - Top up coolant fluid and check system for leaks.
Engine oil insufficient - Fill the crankcase with engine oil.
Dirty radiator fins or defective radiator cap - Clean radiator or change cap.
Damaged or worn fan belt - Install new fan belt.
Engine is under excessive load - Reduce load on the engine.

Oil pressure is insufficient

Oil level is low - Check and refill the oil.
Clogged oil filter element - Replace or clean engine oil filter element.
Wrong oil viscosity - Drain and refill with oil of correct grade and viscosity.
Main bearing oil clearance is excessive - Replace bearings.
Oil pump failure - Inspect and change as required.

Abnormal engine noise or knocking

Insufficient engine oil - Fill up the engine oil.
Engine is not warmed up to required temperature - Warm up engine as required.
Improper setting of fuel injection pump timing - Set the fuel pump timing correctly.
Low idle speed setting is incorrect - Normalize low idle speed.
Dirty or defective injectors - Replace or clean fuel injectors.
Connecting rod is misaligned or worn - Need to change or align the connecting rod.
Pistons are worn or scored - Have pistons replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system will not operate in either direction

Hydraulic fluid level low - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Drive chain is damaged - Check drive chain and change defective parts.
Damaged input drive shaft - Repair or replace drive shaft.
Defective relief valve - Repair or replace relief valve.
Dirty hydraulic filter or suction line - Replace hydraulic filter or clean suction line.
Damaged or worn hand or foot controls - Repair or replace.
Damaged drive pump or motor - Repair or change faulty component.

Power is too low

Dirty hydraulic oil filter - Change hydraulic filter.
Open or faulty relief valve - Close or replace relief valve.
Defective or worn transmission parts - Inspect and replace defective parts.
Input drive shaft failure - Repair or replace drive shaft.
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.

Drive system keeps overheating

Low hydraulic fluid level - Add fluid as required.
Hydraulic fluid filter is dirty - Change hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is stuck - Change or repair relief valve.
Worn hydraulic motor or drive pump - Check and repair if required.
Hydraulic oil cooler is dirty - Cooling fins should be cleaned.
Drive system is overloaded - Load should be reduced.

Drive system is noisy

Incorrect oil viscosity - Use the specified type of oil.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor malfunction - Change or repair faulty component.
Worn or damaged mechanical components of drive system - Check drive system and change faulty components.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheats

Hydraulic pressure is not adjusted correctly - Adjust it correctly.
Faulty or improperly adjusted main relief valve - Replace or set up the relief valve.
Contaminated hydraulic fluid - Hydraulic fluid change required.
Hydraulic oil level is insufficient - Check oil level and add hydraulic oil as required.
Worn hydraulic oil pump - Replace or repair pump if necessary.

Lift arm won't raise or lower

Lift controls failure - Replace or repair.
Hydraulic pump not working - Install new pump or repair it.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty - Repair or replace hydraulic valve.
Broken hydraulic cylinder - Repair or change hydraulic cylinder.
Low hydraulic fluid level - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.

Bucket does not tilt

Faulty bucket tilt controls - Replace or repair.
Hydraulic pump failure - Repair or change pump if required.
Faulty hydraulic control valve - Repair or replace the valve.
Defective bucket cylinder - Repair or install a new cylinder.
Low hydraulic oil level - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.

Boom or bucket is moving slowly

Hydraulic pump is defective - Check pump performance and change it if necessary.
Hydraulic cylinder oil leakage - Repair leak by replacing the seals.
Hydraulic oil level low - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.
Worn or unadjusted hydraulic control valve - Repair or set correctly.
Hydraulic pressure is low - Correct setting is required.

Jerky operation of the bucket or boom

Air leaks in hydraulic system - Need to bleed air.
Hydraulic oil filter element is clogged - Service or replace the hydraulic filter.
Contaminated hydraulic fluid - The fluid must be changed.
Cylinder tube or rod is scored - Change worn component.

Hydraulic pump is noisy

Hydraulic leaks or low oil level - Refill hydraulic oil or repair leaks in system.
Clogged hydraulic filter - Change or clean oil filter.
Suction line is clogged - Need to clean the suction line.
Air enters the pump - Air bleeding is required.
Worn pump components - Rebuild or install new pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery will not charge

Corroded or loose wire connections - Clean or tighten wiring connections.
Faulty battery terminal clamps - Install new terminal clamps.
Battery dead cell - Battery replacement required.
Defective or loose belt - Change belt or adjust belt tension.

Starter turns slowly

Battery power is low - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Battery will not hold charge - Service battery or replace it.
Bad battery terminals or disconnected wiring - Connect cables correctly or replace terminals.

Starter doesn't crank

Battery is drained or defective - Recharge or replace battery.
Wiring is incorrectly connected or disconnected - Inspect wiring and connect correctly.
Low battery output - Low battery charging, charge as required.
Starter motor is defective - Starter should be changed.