Caterpillar 248B Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The Cat 248B skid steer loader is powered by 201.2 cubic inches (3.3L) Caterpillar 3044C DIT 4-cycle 4-cylinder direct injection turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 76 hp (57 kW) at 2500 rpm. The Cat 248B is equipped with a single-speed or two-speed transmission, multi disc brakes, 100HS roller chains, and 12x16.5 tires. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 33 gpm (125 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 4060 psi (280 bar). The skid steer loader has a rated operating capacity of 2000 lbs (907 kg) and tipping load of 4188 lbs (1900 kg). The lift height is 122 inches (3100 mm) to hinge pin, and dump height is 94.3 inches (2395 mm).

Engine Troubleshooting

Diesel hard to start or doesn't start

Air in the fuel system - Air bleeding.
Fuel filter element is dirty - Clean or replace the filter.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged or dirty - Test injection nozzles and change if necessary.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
Improper valve clearance - Check and adjust as required.
Damaged fuel injection pump - Rebuild or replace pump.

Diesel starts and stalls immediately

Air cleaner is clogged - Clean or change cleaner.
Fuel filter plugging - Replace filter element.
Poor fuel injection pump tightness - Look for any leaks of fuel pump, tighten it fast.
Fuel injectors are faulty or clogged - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Damaged fuel injection pump - Repair or install new pump.

Engine stops running suddenly

Engine is not fully warmed up - Warm up engine as required.
Fuel filter element is clogged - Clean the filter or install new filter element.
Air trapped in fuel system - Bleed air.
Fuel injection nozzles are dirty or defective - Replace injection nozzles.
Improper fuel injection timing - Adjust as recommended.

Engine shuts off while idling

Incorrect low idle setting - Adjust low idling as recommended.
Fuel injection pump damage - Change pump or rebuild it.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Clean or replace fuel injectors.
The valve clearance is incorrect - Check and adjust.

Diesel engine is losing power

Air filter is plugged - Clean or change filter.
Dirty or faulty injection nozzles - Check injection nozzles and replace if required.
Uneven fuel injection pressure - Correct the pressure settings.
The valve clearance is incorrect - Have it adjusted.
Low idle speed setting is incorrect - Adjustment required.
Dirty fuel lines or hoses - Fuel hoses and lines must be clean.
Worn cylinder head gasket - Cylinder-head gasket replacement required.
Leaking or damaged piston rings - Install new piston rings.

Engine overheats

Insufficient coolant - Add coolant fluid and inspect the cooling system for leaks.
Insufficient engine oil - Need to add engine oil.
Faulty radiator cap or dirty radiator fins - Clean radiator or change cap.
Broken or loose fan belt - If necessary, replace the belt.
Engine overload - Load reducing required.

Insufficient oil pressure

Not enough oil in the engine - Check and refill the oil.
Oil filter element is dirty - Service or change engine oil filter element.
Incorrect engine oil Use proper viscosity oil.
Excessive oil clearance of crankshaft bearing - Bearing needs to be changed.
Oil pump is worn or damaged - Replace as required.

Engine knocking or noise

Engine oil level is insufficient - Fill up the engine oil.
Engine is not preheated - Warm up to required temperature.
Improper fuel injection timing - Set the fuel pump timing correctly.
Incorrect low idle speed adjustment - Adjustment required.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Inspect fuel injectors and change as required.
Misaligned or faulty connecting rod - Align or replace connecting rod.
Pistons are broken or worn - Have pistons replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system won't work in one direction or either direction

Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.
Faulty drive chain - Check drive chain and change faulty components.
Input drive shaft failure - Repair or replace.
Relief valve is defective - Repair or replace relief valve.
Clogged hydraulic filter or suction line - Replace hydraulic filter or clean suction line.
Faulty hand or foot controls - Change or repair.
Defective drive pump or motor - Inspect and change as required.

Low power

Clogged hydraulic oil filter - Change or clean hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is worn or opened - Replace or close relief valve.
Faulty or damaged transmission components - Inspect and change faulty parts.
Defective input drive shaft - Repair or replace faulty drive shaft.
Air in the hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.

Overheated drive system

Low hydraulic oil level - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.
Plugged hydraulic fluid filter - Replace or clean hydraulic filter.
Stuck relief valve - Repair or change.
Defective drive pump or hydraulic motor - Replace or repair faulty component.
Hydraulic oil cooler is dirty - Clean cooling fins as required.
Overloaded drive system - Load should be reduced.

Drive system makes excessive noise

Oil viscosity is incorrect - Drain and refill with proper oil.
There is air in the hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Defective drive pump or hydraulic motor - Inspect and replace as necessary.
Defective or worn mechanical components of drive system - Inspect the components and repair as required.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheating

Hydraulic pressure incorrectly adjusted - Adjust pressure as required.
Main relief valve malfunction or improper adjustment - Set up or change the relief valve.
Hydraulic fluid is dirty - The fluid must be changed.
Lack of hydraulic oil - Fill the hydraulic system with oil.
Hydraulic pump is defective - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.

Lift arm does not lower or raise

Damaged lift controls - Repair or replace.
Hydraulic pump not working - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.
Hydraulic control valve malfunction - Repair or change the valve.
Hydraulic cylinder not working - Install a new boom cylinder or repair it.
Hydraulic fluid level low - Add fluid as required.

Bucket tilt does not work

Faulty bucket tilt controls - Change or repair.
Defective hydraulic pump - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Defective hydraulic control valve - Install a new hydraulic valve or repair it.
Defective bucket cylinder - Repair or replace cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.

Slow bucket or lift arm operation

Hydraulic pump is worn - Check pump flow and install new pump if necessary.
Leaking hydraulic cylinder - Repair leak by replacing the seals.
Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic control valve is defective or set improper - Repair or adjust correctly.
Hydraulic pressure loss - Correct setting is required.

Lift arm or bucket jerks when working

Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.
Dirty hydraulic oil filter element - Clean or replace the filter.
Hydraulic oil is contaminated - The oil must be changed.
Scratched cylinder rod or tube - Change damaged component.

Hydraulic pump is excessively noisy

Hydraulic leakage or low oil level - Repair hydraulic leaks or add oil as required.
Hydraulic filter is clogged - Change or clean oil filter.
Suction line clogging - Suction line must be serviced.
Pump is sucking air - Remove air from hydraulics.
Worn pump components - Change or rebuild pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery cannot be charged

Wiring connections are loose or corroded - Tighten or clean electrical wiring connections.
Battery terminal clamps are defective - Replace terminal clamps.
Worn-out battery - Use a new battery.
Belt is loose or defective - Replace belt or adjust belt tension.

Starter turns slowly

Low battery output - Recharge the battery.
Battery runs out quickly - Service battery or change it.
Bad terminals or disconnected battery cables - Connect wiring properly or install new terminals.

Starter will not work

Battery is low or faulty - Charge or change the battery.
Wiring is incorrectly connected or disconnected - Inspect wiring and connect correctly.
Low battery output voltage - Battery is drained, charge it.
Defective starter motor - Repair or replace starter.