Caterpillar 236B Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The Cat 236B skid steer loader driveline system components: a 201.2 cu.in (3.3L) Caterpillar 3044C DIT four-cylinder direct injection turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 70 hp (52 kW), and 1-speed or 2-speed transmission. The hydraulic system has a pump with a rated capacity of 21.9 gal/min (83 l/min). The system pressure is 3335 psi (230 bar). The Cat 236B is equipped with wet multi disc brakes, 100HS roller chains, and 12x16.5 tires. The skid steer loader has a maximum lift height of 122" (3100 mm) to hinge pin and dump height of 94.3" (2395 mm). The rated operating capacity is 1750 lbs (793 kg), and tipping load is 4012 lbs (1820 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts up hard or doesn't start

Air in the fuel lines - Bleed the fuel lines.
Fuel filter element clogging - Filter maintenance required.
Dirty or faulty injection nozzles - Service or change injection nozzles.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
The valve clearance is incorrect - Adjust valve clearance.
Faulty fuel injection pump - Repair or install new pump.

Engine stalls after starting

Dirty air filter - Service or replace the air filter.
Fuel filter element is clogged - Clean or replace the filter.
Fuel injection pump has loose connections - Tighten the connections.
Fuel injectors are faulty or clogged - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Fuel injection pump damage - Rebuild or change fuel pump.

Engine stops running suddenly

Engine is not preheated - Warm up the engine.
Fuel filter is plugged - Clean or replace the filter.
Air in fuel tank - Bleed fuel tank.
Fuel injection nozzles are faulty or clogged - Check injection nozzles and replace if required.
Timing of fuel injection pump is incorrect - Set up as recommended.

Engine stops while idling

Incorrect low idle speed adjustment - Correct low idle settings.
Fuel injection pump is broken - Rebuild or install a new injection pump.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Clean or replace fuel injectors.
The valve clearance is incorrect - Adjust valve clearance.

Engine power is insufficient

Air cleaner is dirty - Clean or replace element.
Dirty or faulty injection nozzles - Replace injection nozzles.
Incorrect fuel injection pressure - Adjust to correct pressure.
Valve clearance is wrong - Check and adjust.
Low idle speed setting is not correct - Adjust as required.
Dirty fuel lines or hoses - Fuel lines and hoses need to be cleaned.
Cylinder head gasket is damaged - Replace cylinder head gasket.
Worn or damaged piston rings - Change piston rings.

Engine overheats

Low coolant level - Add coolant and check the components of cooling system.
Lack of engine oil - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Damaged radiator cap or dirty radiator core - Install new cap or clean radiator.
Fan belt is loose or defective - Fan belt must be replaced.
Engine overloaded - Load reducing required.

Insufficient oil pressure

Oil level is insufficient - Need to add oil.
Oil filter clogging - Service or replace engine oil filter.
Incorrect engine oil Fill up with the correct oil viscosity.
Crankshaft bearing oil clearance is incorrect - Bearings need to be reinstalled.
Oil pump malfunction - Replace as required.

Engine noises or knocks

Engine oil level low - Check oil level and add oil as required.
Engine is not warmed up to the required temperature - Warm up the engine.
Improper fuel injection timing - Adjust fuel injection pump as required.
Wrong adjustment of low idle speed - Adjust the low idle speed.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Clean fuel injectors or change it.
Connecting rod is misaligned or defective - Need to change or align the connecting rod.
Worn or scored pistons - Replace the pistons.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system сan't work in either direction

Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Add fluid as required.
Damaged drive chain - Inspect drive chain and replace defective parts.
Damaged input drive shaft - Rebuild or change.
Worn or damaged relief valve - Repair or change.
Suction line or hydraulic filter is clogged - Service suction line or change hydraulic filter.
Foot or hand controls are defective - Change or repair.
Drive pump or motor malfunction - Repair or replace faulty component.

Low power

Plugged hydraulic oil filter - Replace or clean hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is open or defective - Close or replace relief valve.
Transmission components are damaged or faulty - Check and change defective components.
Defective input drive shaft - Replace drive shaft.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.

Drive system keeps overheating

Hydraulic fluid level low - Checking hydraulic fluid level and add if necessary.
Clogged hydraulic fluid filter - Check, clean, or replace as required.
Faulty relief valve - Change or repair defective relief valve.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor is damaged - Repair or replace faulty component.
Clogged hydraulic oil cooler - Clean the cooling fins.
Transmission overloading - Load should be reduced.

Drive system is excessively noisy

Oil viscosity is too heavy - Use proper oil viscosity.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is worn - Repair or replace faulty component.
Worn or damaged mechanical components of drive system - Check drive system and change faulty components.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system is overheated

Hydraulic pressure incorrectly adjusted - Correct setting is required.
Unadjusted or defective main relief valve - Adjust the valve or replace if necessary.
Hydraulic oil contamination - The oil must be changed.
Not enough hydraulic fluid in the system - Need to add fluid.
Hydraulic pump is faulty - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.

Boom does not raise or lower

Lift controls are faulty - Replace or repair.
Hydraulic pump failure - Install new pump or repair it.
Hydraulic control valve failure - Replace or repair the valve.
Damaged hydraulic cylinder - Install a new boom cylinder or repair it.
Low hydraulic oil level - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.

Bucket tilt does not work

Bucket controls failure - Repair or change.
Hydraulic pump malfunction - Repair or change pump if required.
Hydraulic control valve malfunction - Repair or change hydraulic valve.
Hydraulic bucket cylinder is defective - Repair or replace cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.

Slow bucket or lift arm action

Hydraulic pump is faulty - Test pump flow rate and replace pump if required.
Leaking hydraulic cylinder - Install new cylinder seals.
Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.
Hydraulic control valve is defective or set improper - Repair or adjust correctly.
Hydraulic pressure has dropped - Hydraulic pressure must be set correctly.

Lift arm or bucket is moving jerkily

Air in hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.
Hydraulic oil filter is clogged - Clean or install new filter.
Dirty hydraulic fluid - The fluid must be changed.
Cylinder rod or tube is scratched - Change worn component.

Hydraulic pump is noisy

Lack of oil or hydraulic leakage - Repair hydraulic leaks or add oil as required.
Clogged hydraulic filter - Clean or install new filter.
Dirty suction line - Service the suction line.
Air enters the pump - Need to bleed air.
Pump components are faulty - Rebuild or install new pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery cannot be charged

Loose or corroded electrical wiring connections - Clean or tighten wiring connections.
Battery terminal connectors are faulty - Change terminal connectors.
Battery is worn - Change the battery.
Belt is loose or defective - Adjust belt tension or change the belt.

Starter motor turns slow

Low battery voltage - Recharge the battery.
Battery drains quickly - Service battery or change it.
Disconnected battery cables or bad terminals - Check battery wires and service or replace terminals.

Starter is not working

Battery is discharged or worn - Recharge or change battery.
Battery wires are disconnected or incorrectly connected - Check wires and connect correctly.
Low battery capacity - Battery needs to be recharged.
Damaged starter motor - Starter should be changed.