Caterpillar 226D3 Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The Cat 226D3 skid steer loader is powered by 134.1 cu.in (2.2L) Caterpillar C2.2T four-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 65.8 hp (65.8 kW) at 3000 rpm. The Caterpillar 226D3 is equipped with a two-speed hydrostatic transmission, radial-lift loader boom, 80HS continuous roller chains, and 10x16.5 tires. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 18 gpm (69 lpm) or 26 gpm (99 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3335 psi (230 bar). The skid steer loader has a rated operating capacity of 1550 lbs (705 kg) and tipping load of 3100 lbs (1410 kg). The lift height is 111" (2820 mm) to hinge pin, and dump height is 81.7" (2075 mm).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts up hard or won't start

Air in the fuel system - Air bleeding.
Fuel filter element clogging - Change the filter element.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged or dirty - Install a new kit of correctly balanced nozzles.
Water or dirt in fuel system - Drain, flush, and service the system.
Incorrect valve clearance - Check and adjust as required.
Damaged fuel injection pump - Repair or change injection pump.

Engine starts but then stalls

Plugged air cleaner - Clean or change cleaner.
Clogged fuel filter - Clean the filter or install new filter element.
Poor fuel injection pump tightness - Look for any leaks of fuel pump, tighten it fast.
Fuel injectors are faulty or clogged - Clean or replace fuel injectors.
Faulty fuel injection pump - Replace or rebuild injection pump.

Engine stalls during operation

Coolant temperature is low - Normalize the temperature by warming up the engine.
Dirty fuel filter - Service or replace the filter.
There is air in the fuel system - Bleed the system.
Dirty or damaged injection nozzles - Test injection nozzles and change if necessary.
Improper setting of fuel injection pump timing - Set the fuel pump timing correctly.

Engine stalls at idle

Low idle speed set incorrectly - Adjust low idle speed.
Fuel injection pump damage - Rebuild or change fuel pump.
Dirty or defective injectors - Clean fuel injectors or change it.
The valve clearance is not adjusted - Adjust valve clearance.

Engine loses power

Air cleaner is clogged - Clean or replace element.
Faulty or dirty injection nozzles - Clean or change injection nozzles.
Fuel injection pressure is wrong - Adjust to proper pressure.
Improper valve clearance - Check and adjust.
Low idle speed set incorrectly - Correct the settings.
Restricted fuel hoses or lines - Fuel hoses and lines must be clean.
Cylinder head gasket is damaged - Install a new gasket.
Piston rings are broken or leaking - Replace the piston rings as required.

Engine overheating

Not enough coolant - Add coolant fluid and inspect the cooling system for leaks.
Not enough engine oil - Need to add engine oil.
Radiator fins are dirty or radiator cap is defective - Replace cap or clean radiator.
Fan belt is loose or defective - Belt change is required.
Engine is overloaded - Reduce engine load.

Low oil pressure

Oil level is insufficient - Add oil as required.
Dirty oil filter element - Clean or change engine oil filter.
Oil grade or viscosity is wrong - Use proper viscosity oil.
Excessive main bearing oil clearance - Install new bearings.
Oil pump is damaged - Check and replace if necessary.

Engine knocking sound or abnormal noise

Insufficient engine oil - Fill up the engine oil.
Engine is cold - Warm up engine as required.
Fuel injection pump timing is wrong - Adjust according to specifications.
Incorrect low idle speed adjustment - Correct low idle settings.
Fuel injector fault - Replace fuel injectors.
Connecting rod failure or misalignment - Connecting rod needs to be replaced or aligned.
Broken or worn pistons - Install new pistons.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system won't operate in either direction

Insufficient hydraulic oil - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.
Worn drive chain - Check drive chain and change faulty parts.
Damaged input drive shaft - Replace or service the drive shaft.
Worn or damaged relief valve - Rebuild or install a new relief valve.
Plugged hydraulic filter or suction line - Check, clean, or replace if required.
Faulty hand or foot controls - Replace or repair.
Defective drive pump or motor - Inspect and replace as necessary.

Lack of power

Plugged hydraulic oil filter - Check, clean, or change as necessary.
Relief valve is opened or defective - Replace or close relief valve.
Transmission parts are faulty or damaged - Check and replace defective components.
Worn input drive shaft - Repair or replace drive shaft.
There is air in the hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.

Drive system overheating

Low hydraulic oil level - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.
Dirty hydraulic fluid filter - Change hydraulic filter.
Relief valver is broken - Repair or replace.
Defective drive pump or hydraulic motor - Repair or replace faulty component.
Hydraulic oil cooler is dirty - Clean cooling fins as required.
Drive system overload - Load needs to be reduced.

Excessive noise

Oil viscosity is wrong - Use correct oil viscosity.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor malfunction - Repair or change faulty component.
Worn or defective mechanical components of drive system - Inspect drive system and replace faulty components.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheats

Hydraulic pressure is incorrect - Correct setting is required.
Main relief valve is faulty or misadjusted - Adjust or replace the relief valve.
Dirty hydraulic fluid - Change hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic oil level is low - Add oil to the hydraulic system.
Faulty hydraulic oil pump - Install new pump or repair it.

Lift arm fails to drop or lift

Faulty lift controls - Check and repair as required.
Hydraulic pump not working - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Hydraulic control valve failure - Install a new valve or repair it.
Faulty hydraulic cylinder - Change or repair lift cylinder.
Low hydraulic oil level - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.

Bucket won't move

Defective bucket controls - Check and repair as required.
Hydraulic pump malfunction - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Damaged hydraulic control valve - Repair or change the valve.
Defective bucket cylinder - Replace or repair cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.

Boom or bucket runs slowly

Hydraulic pump is faulty - Check pump capacity and change if necessary.
Hydraulic cylinder leaking - Cylinder seals need to be replaced.
Low hydraulic oil level - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.
Hydraulic control valve is unadjusted or worn - Set properly or repair.
Low hydraulic pressure - Set pressure correctly.

Jerky operation of the bucket or boom

Hydraulic system is leaking air - Need to bleed air.
Dirty hydraulic oil filter element - Clean or install new filter.
Contaminated hydraulic oil - Hydraulic oil change required.
Scratched cylinder rod or tube - Replace failed component.

Hydraulic pump makes excessive noise

Hydraulic leaks or low oil level - Top up hydraulic oil or remedy leakage in system.
Hydraulic filter is dirty - Clean or change the filter.
Plugged suction line - Need to service the suction line.
Air enters the pump - Bleed air from hydraulics.
Pump parts are worn out - Install new hydraulic pump or rebuild it.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery cannot be charged

Corroded or loose wire connections - Tighten or service connections.
Electrical terminal connectors are faulty - Terminal connectors should be replaced.
Battery dead cell - Install a new battery.
Belt is defective or loose - Belt needs to be adjusted or changed.

Starter cranks slowly

Low battery capacity - Charge the battery.
Battery is draining quickly - Service battery or change it.
Bad battery terminals or disconnected wiring - Connect wires correctly or change terminals.

Starter is not working

Battery is drained or worn - Recharge or replace battery.
Disconnected or improperly connected wiring harness - Inspect battery wiring harness and connect as required.
Battery capacity is low - Battery is drained, charge it.
Defective starter motor - Repair or replace starter.