Caterpillar 299D3 Track Loader Troubleshooting

The Cat 299D3 compact track loader driveline system components: a 231.9 cu.in (3.8L) Cat C3.8 DIT 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 95 hp (71 kW), and 2-speed hydro transmission. The hydraulic system has a standard pump with a rated flow of 23 gpm (86 lpm). The system pressure is 3335 psi (230 bar). The Caterpillar 299D3 is equipped with vertical-lift boom, axial-piston drive pumps, and 15.7" (400 mm) or 17.7" (450 mm) steel embedded rubber tracks. The loader has a max lift height of 126.3" (3.2 m) to hinge pin and dump height of 94.5" (2.4 m). The rated operating capacity is 3480 lbs (1580 kg), and tipping load is 9940 lbs (4510 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Diesel hard to start or doesn't start

Air in fuel tank - Bleed fuel tank.
Fuel filter element is dirty - Change filter element.
Fuel injection nozzles are dirty or defective - Clean or replace injection nozzles.
Water or dirt in fuel system - Drain, flush, and service the system.
The valve clearance is incorrect - Need to adjust valve clearance.
Faulty fuel injection pump - Replace or repair injection pump.

Diesel starts but then stops

Dirty air filter - Clean or change.
Fuel filter element is clogged - Install new filter element.
Fuel injection pump is leaking - Repair any leaks.
Dirty or defective injectors - Replace fuel injectors.
Fuel injection pump is not operating properly - Change or repair the pump.

Engine shuts off suddenly while running

Coolant temperature is low - Warm up the engine.
Fuel filter is plugged - Change the filter element.
Air in fuel tank - Bleed fuel tank.
Defective or clogged injection nozzle - Check injection nozzles and replace if required.
Fuel injection pump timing is wrong - Adjust fuel injection pump as required.

Engine stalls when idling

Incorrect low idle setting - Normalize low idle speed.
Fuel injection pump failure - Rebuild or install a new injection pump.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Test and replace fuel injectors if necessary.
Valve out of adjustment - Need to adjust valve clearance.

Diesel engine is losing power

Plugged air cleaner - Clean or change.
Dirty or damaged injection nozzles - If necessary, replace with a new nozzle.
Insufficient fuel injection pressure - Correct the pressure settings.
Improper valve clearance - Have it adjusted.
Low idle speed adjustment is incorrect - Correct the settings.
Restricted fuel hoses or lines - Fuel hoses and lines must be clean.
Cylinder head gasket defective - Gasket should be replaced.
Piston rings are worn or damaged - Install new piston rings.

Engine overheated

Insufficient coolant fluid - Fill radiator to proper level and check components for faults.
Engine oil level is insufficient - Checking oil level and add if necessary.
Damaged radiator cap or dirty radiator core - Clean radiator or install new cap.
Fan belt slipping or worn - Belt change is required.
Engine overload - Reduce load on the engine.

Oil pressure too low

Engine oil insufficient - Checking oil level and add if necessary.
Plugged engine oil filter - Replace or clean engine oil filter element.
Incorrect engine oil Use proper viscosity oil.
Crankshaft bearing has incorrect oil clearance - Bearings need to be reinstalled.
Defective oil pump - Remove and inspect oil pump.

Abnormal engine noise or knocking

Engine oil level low - Checking oil level and add if necessary.
Engine has not warmed up to recommended temperature - Warm up engine as required.
Incorrect adjustment of fuel injection pump timing - Set the fuel pump timing correctly.
Improperly adjusted low idle speed - Adjustment required.
Fuel injector fault - Replace fuel injectors.
Misaligned or defective connecting rod - Need to replace or align the connecting rod.
Broken or worn pistons - Have pistons replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Machine is not moving forward or backward

Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.
Undercarriage tracks are defective or jammed - Repair or fix jamming.
Relief valve is defective - Change or repair defective relief valve.
Suction line or hydraulic filter is dirty - Check, clean, or change if necessary.
Faulty hand or foot controls - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Worn drive motor or pump - Repair or change faulty component.

Machine will not move straight or moves jerkily

Undercarriage tracks are defective or jammed - Repair or remedy jamming.
Loose or worn tracks - Replace tracks or adjust track tension.
Foreign objects, debris, or dirt jammed in track frame - Remove debris or foreign objects and clean track frame.

Lack of power

Hydraulic oil filter is dirty - Check, clean, or change as necessary.
Damaged or opened relief valve - Close or replace relief valve.
Faulty or worn transmission components - Inspect and replace defective parts.
Input drive shaft failure - Faulty drive shaft need to be replaced or repair.
Air in the hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.

Drive system overheats

Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.
Plugged hydraulic fluid filter - Change or clean hydraulic filter.
Faulty relief valve - Repair or install a new relief valve.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor is damaged - Repair or change faulty component.
Hydraulic oil cooler is plugged - Clean cooling fins as required.
Transmission overloading - Load needs to be reduced.

Excessive noise

Improper oil viscosity - Use the specified type of oil.
Air in the hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump failure - Inspect and change as required.
Mechanical parts of drive system are worn or damaged - Inspect the parts for worn or defect and repair as needed.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheated

Hydraulic pressure is incorrect - Set pressure correctly.
Main relief valve improper adjustment or failure - Adjust relief valve or change if required.
Dirty hydraulic fluid - The fluid must be changed.
Not enough hydraulic oil in the system - Fill the hydraulic system with oil.
Hydraulic pump is worn - Repair or replace pump if necessary.

Lift arm can't drop or lift

Damaged lift controls - Replace or repair.
Damaged hydraulic oil pump - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.
Hydraulic control valve is defective - Change or repair hydraulic valve.
Hydraulic cylinder not working - Repair or change hydraulic cylinder.
Low hydraulic oil level - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.

Bucket does not tilt

Bucket controls are faulty - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Defective hydraulic pump - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.
Hydraulic control valve malfunction - Install a new valve or repair it.
Hydraulic bucket cylinder not working - Repair or install a new cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid level low - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.

Bucket or lift arm functions slowly

Hydraulic pump is faulty - Check the pump performance and replace it if required.
Leaking hydraulic cylinder - Change cylinder piston seals.
Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Worn or unadjusted hydraulic control valve - Repair or set correctly.
Hydraulic pressure loss - Adjust pressure as required.

Lift arm or bucket is working jerkily

Air in the hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.
Hydraulic oil filter element clogging - Change or clean oil filter.
Contaminated hydraulic oil - Fill up with fresh hydraulic oil.
Cylinder rod or tube is scratched - Replace defective component.

Hydraulic pump makes excessive noise

Not enough oil or hydraulic system leaking - Top up hydraulic oil or remedy leakage in system.
Hydraulic filter clogging - Change or clean oil filter.
Suction line clogging - Clean suction line as required.
Air trapped in hydraulic pump - Need to bleed air.
Damaged pump components - Rebuild or install new pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery is not charging

Electrical wire connections are corroded or loose - Service or tighten cable connections.
Electrical terminal connectors are faulty - Replace terminal connectors.
Battery is worn - Battery change required.
Belt is defective or loose - Belt needs to be adjusted or replaced.

Starter cranks slow

Low battery output voltage - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Battery won’t hold charge - Service or replace the battery.
Battery terminals are corroded or wires are disconnected - Connect wiring correctly or install new terminals.

Starter is not cranking

Battery is discharged or defective - Battery needs to be recharged or replaced.
Battery wires are disconnected or incorrectly connected - Check wires and connect correctly.
Battery power is low - Battery is drained, charge it.
Damaged starter motor - Starter should be changed.