Caterpillar 246B Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The Cat 246B skid steer loader driveline system components: a 201.2 cu.in (3.3L) Caterpillar 3044C DIT 4-cylinder turbocharged water-cooled diesel engine with a rated power of 78 hp (58 kW), and one-speed or two-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 246B is equipped with wet multi disc brakes, 100HS roller chains, and 12x16.5 tires. The skid steer loader has a boom lifting force of 4655 lbs (2112 kg) and bucket breakout force of 5485 lbs (2487 kg). The rated operating capacity is 2000 lbs (907 kg), and tipping load is 4188 lbs (1900 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine hard to start or will not start

Air in fuel system - Bleed fuel system.
Fuel filter element is dirty - Service the filter.
Defective or clogged injection nozzle - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Water or dirt in fuel system - Drain, flush, and service the system.
Valve clearance is wrong - Correct valve clearance.
Fuel injection pump damage - Replace or rebuild injection pump.

Engine starts and immediately shuts off

Air filter is dirty - Clean or change filter.
Dirty fuel filter - Replace the filter element.
Fuel injection pump is leaking - Repair any leaks.
Defective or clogged fuel injectors - Replace fuel injectors.
Fuel injection pump is faulty - Rebuild or replace pump.

Engine stalls during operation

Engine is not fully warmed up - Normalize the temperature by warming up the engine.
Fuel filter element is dirty - Install new filter element.
Air in the fuel pipes - Bleed the fuel pipes.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged - Clean or replace injection nozzles.
Fuel injection pump timing is wrong - Adjust fuel injection pump as required.

Engine shuts off while idling

Low idle speed adjustment is incorrect - Need to adjust idle speed.
Fuel injection pump malfunction - Replace or rebuild injection pump.
Dirty or defective injectors - Test and replace fuel injectors if necessary.
Valve clearance is out of adjustment - Correct valve clearance needs to be set.

Loss of engine power

Plugged air cleaner - Clean or change.
Clogged or burnt injection nozzle - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Uneven fuel injection pressure - Adjust to proper pressure.
Valve out of adjustment - Need to adjust valve clearance.
Low idle speed setting is not correct - Correct low idle settings.
Fuel hoses or lines are dirty - Service fuel hoses and lines.
Cylinder head gasket is blown - Replace the gasket as required.
Leaking or defective piston rings - Install new piston rings.

Engine overheats

Coolant level is low - The cooling system needs to be refilled and checked for faults.
Low engine oil level - Fill the crankcase with engine oil.
Radiator core is clogged or radiator cap is leaking - Clean radiator or replace cap.
Loose or damaged fan belt - Belt change is required.
Engine is overloaded - Reduce engine load.

Oil pressure is insufficient

Oil level is low - Checking oil level and add if necessary.
Dirty oil filter - Service or change engine oil filter element.
Incorrect engine oil Use the specified type of engine oil.
Main bearing oil clearance is excessive - Bearing needs to be changed.
Oil pump malfunction - Inspect and change as required.

Abnormal engine knocking or noise

Engine oil insufficient - Checking oil level and add if necessary.
Engine not warmed up - Normalize the temperature by warming up the engine.
Wrong setting of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust as recommended.
Low idle speed set incorrectly - Correct the settings.
Clogged or defective injectors - Replace or clean fuel injectors.
Connecting rod failure or misalignment - Connecting rod needs to be aligned or changed.
Pistons are worn or broken - Install new pistons.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system doesn't function in one direction or either direction

Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.
Damaged drive chain - Inspect drive chain and replace faulty components.
Damaged input drive shaft - Drive shaft need to be replaced or repair.
Relief valve malfunction - Change or repair relief valve.
Hydraulic filter or suction line is plugged - Clean suction line or replace hydraulic filter.
Damaged or worn hand or foot controls - Change or repair.
Damaged drive pump or motor - Inspect and replace as necessary.

Power is too low

Dirty hydraulic oil filter - Change hydraulic filter.
Open or damaged relief valve - Close or change relief valve.
Worn or defective transmission parts - Check and change faulty components.
Stuck input drive shaft - Replace or service the drive shaft.
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.

Drive system is overheated

Hydraulic oil level is low - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.
Hydraulic fluid filter is clogged - Change or service hydraulic filter.
Relief valve defective or worn - Repair or replace.
Defective drive pump or hydraulic motor - Repair or replace faulty component.
Clogged hydraulic oil cooler - Clean the cooling fins.
Drive system is overloaded - Reduce drive system load.

Excessive noise

Improper oil viscosity - Use oil of correct viscosity.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor is damaged - Repair or replace faulty component.
Mechanical parts of drive system are defective or worn - Check the parts and change if required.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system has overheating

Hydraulic pressure is incorrect - Adjust pressure as required.
Misadjusted or defective main relief valve - Replace or set up the relief valve.
Contaminated hydraulic oil - Change hydraulic oil.
Hydraulic fluid level is insufficient - Add fluid to the hydraulic system.
Defective hydraulic pump - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.

Lift arm can't drop or lift

Defective lift controls - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Hydraulic pump failure - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Faulty hydraulic control valve - Replace or repair the valve.
Hydraulic cylinder malfunction - Change or repair lift cylinder.
Low hydraulic fluid level - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.

Bucket is not working

Bucket tilt controls malfunction - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Hydraulic pump is broken - Repair or change pump if required.
Defective hydraulic control valve - Repair or replace the valve.
Hydraulic bucket cylinder not working - Repair or replace cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid level low - Add fluid as required.

Slow boom or bucket action

Faulty hydraulic oil pump - Test the pump flow rate and change pump if required.
Hydraulic cylinder leaking - Change cylinder piston seals.
Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Hydraulic control valve is not set properly or defective - Adjust correctly or repair.
Hydraulic pressure has dropped - Adjust pressure correctly.

Lift arm or bucket is moving jerkily

Air in hydraulic system - Need to bleed air.
Hydraulic oil filter is clogged - Service or replace the hydraulic filter.
Hydraulic oil is dirty - Hydraulic oil change required.
Cylinder tube or rod is scored - Change worn component.

Hydraulic pump makes excessive noise

Insufficient oil level or leaking hydraulic system - Repair hydraulic leaks or add oil as required.
Plugged hydraulic filter - Replace or clean the filter.
Plugged suction line - Service the suction line.
Air enters the pump - Air bleeding is required.
Faulty pump parts - Install new hydraulic pump or rebuild it.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery is not charging

Electrical wire connections are corroded or loose - Tighten or clean connections.
Electrical terminal connectors are faulty - Terminal connectors should be replaced.
Faulty cell in battery - Install a new battery.
Loose or damaged belt - Adjust belt tension or replace belt.

Starter turns slow

Low battery power - Battery is drained, charge it.
Battery will not hold charge - Battery needs service or replacement.
Disconnected cables or faulty battery terminals - Connect wiring properly or install new terminals.

Starter motor won't turn

Battery is low or faulty - Recharge or change battery.
Battery cables are disconnected or improperly connected - Inspect cables and connect properly.
Low battery capacity - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Defective starter motor - Repair or replace starter.