Bobcat S205 Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The Bobcat S205 skid steer loader is powered by Kubota V2403 diesel engine with a rated power of 61 hp (45.5 kW) or Kubota V2607 diesel engine with a rated power of 66 hp (49.2 kW). The Bobcat S205 is equipped with a single-speed or two-speed hydrostatic transmission, vertical-lift loader boom, 80 HSOC roller chains, and 10x16.5 tires. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 16.3 gpm (62 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3350 psi (231 bar). The skid steer loader has a rated operating capacity of 2050 lbs (930 kg) and tipping load of 4100 lbs (1865 kg). The lift height is 118.2 inches (3000 mm) to hinge pin, and dump height is 91 inches (2310 mm).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts up hard or will not start

Air trapped in fuel system - Bleed air.
Clogged fuel filter - Replace filter element.
Burnt or defective injection nozzle - Install a new kit of correctly balanced nozzles.
Water or dirt in fuel system - Drain, flush, and service the system.
Valve clearance is wrong - Check and adjust.
Fuel injection pump is defective - Change pump or rebuild it.

Diesel starts and stops

Air filter is clogged - Install new air filter element.
Fuel filter element clogging - Service or replace the filter.
Fuel injection pump is leaking - Repair any leaks.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Clean fuel injectors or change it.
Fuel injection pump malfunctioning - Install a new fuel pump or repair.

Engine shuts off suddenly during operation

Low coolant temperature - Warm up the engine.
Fuel filter element is dirty - Install new filter element.
Air trapped in fuel system - Bleed air.
Defective or clogged injection nozzle - If necessary, replace with a new nozzle.
Improper fuel injection timing - Check the fuel injection pump timing adjustment.

Engine shuts off while idling

Incorrectly set low idle speed - Correct low idle settings.
Fuel injection pump damage - Rebuild or change fuel pump.
Dirty or defective injectors - Clean fuel injectors or change it.
Improper valve clearance - Adjust valve clearance.

Diesel power loss

Plugged air cleaner - Clean or replace air cleaner element.
Fuel injection nozzles are dirty or defective - Clean or change injection nozzles.
Improper fuel injection pressure - Test fuel injection pressure and adjust it correctly.
Valve out of adjustment - Need to adjust valve clearance.
Low idle speed set incorrectly - Test and adjust.
Restricted fuel lines or hoses - Fuel hoses and lines must be clean.
Cylinder head gasket defective - Install new cylinder head gasket.
Piston rings are worn or defective - Change piston rings.

Engine is overheated

Engine has a lack of coolant - Fill radiator to proper level and check components for faults.
Insufficient engine oil - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Clogged radiator fins or leaking radiator cap - Clean radiator or install new cap.
Damaged or worn fan belt - Replace the fan belt.
Diesel engine overloaded - Load reducing required.

Insufficient oil pressure

Engine oil insufficient - Check and refill the oil.
Oil filter is clogged - Clean or replace engine oil filter element.
Incorrect engine oil Use oil of proper viscosity.
Crankshaft bearing has excessive oil clearance - Bearing needs to be changed.
Worn oil pump - Install a new pump.

Engine knocks or noises

Engine oil insufficient - Fill up the engine oil.
Low coolant temperature - Normalize the temperature by warming up the engine.
Timing of fuel injection pump is incorrect - Adjust the pump as required.
Incorrect low idle setting - Adjust as required.
Fuel injector fault - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Connecting rod is defective or misaligned - Connecting rod needs to be aligned or changed.
Pistons are scored or worn - Pistons need to be replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system does not work in either direction

Insufficient hydraulic oil - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.
Drive chain malfunction - Check drive chain and change defective components.
Input drive shaft is not working properly - Drive shaft need to be replaced or repair.
Worn or damaged relief valve - Service or change relief valve.
Hydraulic filter or suction line is clogged - Clean suction line or replace hydraulic filter.
Foot or hand controls are defective - Change or repair.
Drive pump or motor malfunction - Change or repair faulty component.

Reduced power

Clogged hydraulic oil filter - Replace or service hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is damaged or open - Close or replace relief valve.
Transmission parts are worn or defective - Inspect and replace faulty parts.
Defective input drive shaft - Replace or service the drive shaft.
Air in the hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.

Drive system overheating

Low hydraulic fluid level - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Hydraulic fluid filter is dirty - Check, clean, or change as necessary.
Relief valve defective or worn - Relief valve need to be replaced or repair.
Worn hydraulic motor or drive pump - Repair or change faulty component.
Dirty oil cooler - Cooling fins need to be cleaned.
Transmission overloading - Reduce the load.

Drive system is noisy

Wrong oil viscosity - Use oil of correct viscosity.
Air in hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.
Worn hydraulic motor or drive pump - Change or repair faulty component.
Mechanical parts of drive system are damaged or worn - Check the components for worn or defect and replace if necessary.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheating

Hydraulic pressure is incorrect - Adjust pressure as required.
Misadjusted or defective main relief valve - Adjust or replace the relief valve.
Dirty hydraulic fluid - Hydraulic fluid change required.
Lack of hydraulic fluid - Need to add fluid.
Worn hydraulic oil pump - Repair or change pump if required.

Lift arm fails to drop or lift

Lift controls are defective - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Defective hydraulic pump - Install new pump or repair it.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty - Repair or replace the valve.
Broken hydraulic cylinder - Repair or replace hydraulic cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.

Bucket tilt does not work

Bucket controls are faulty - Repair or replace.
Damaged hydraulic oil pump - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty - Install a new hydraulic valve or repair it.
Broken bucket cylinder - Change or repair cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.

Slow bucket or lift arm action

Defective hydraulic pump - Check pump flow and change pump if necessary.
Leaking hydraulic cylinder - Correct leakage by changing the seals.
Low hydraulic fluid level - Add fluid as required.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty or out of adjustment - Repair or set correctly.
Hydraulic system loosing pressure - Adjust pressure as required.

Bucket or boom movements are jerky

Air in the hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.
Dirty hydraulic oil filter - Service or change the hydraulic filter.
Contaminated hydraulic fluid - The fluid must be changed.
Cylinder rod or tube is scratched - Replace failed component.

Hydraulic pump makes excessive noise

Low oil level or hydraulic leaks - Correct hydraulic leaks or top up oil as needed.
Clogged hydraulic filter - Service or replace hydraulic filter.
Suction line is clogged - Need to service the suction line.
Air enters the pump - Remove air from hydraulics.
Worn pump components - Rebuild or change hydraulic pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery will not charge

Wiring connections are loose or corroded - Service or tighten cable connections.
Faulty battery terminal connectors - Replace terminal connectors.
Bad cell in battery - Battery change required.
Loose or defective belt - Adjust belt tension or change the belt.

Starter turning slow

Low battery voltage - Battery needs to be recharged.
Battery discharges quickly - Service or change the battery.
Corroded battery terminals or disconnected wires - Check cables and service or change terminals.

Starter will not work

Battery is drained or worn - Replace or charge as required.
Battery wires are disconnected or incorrectly connected - Check wires and connect correctly.
Low battery voltage - Battery needs to be recharged.
Faulty starter motor - Change or repair starter.