Gehl RT165 Track Loader Troubleshooting

The Gehl RT165 compact track loader is powered by 202.5 cu.in (3.3L) Yanmar 4TNV98C 4-cylinder liquid-cooled diesel engine with a rated power of 69.3 hp (51.7 kW) at 2500 rpm. The Gehl RT165 is equipped with a 2-speed hydrostatic transmission, radial-lift loader boom, 17-tooth drive sprockets, and undercarriage with 12.6" (320 mm) rubber tracks. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 18.7 gpm (71 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3000 psi (207 bar). The track loader has a rated operating capacity of 1650 lbs (748 kg) and tipping load of 4714 lbs (2138 kg). The lift height is 119.6" (3040 mm) to hinge pin, and dump height is 91.7" (2330 mm).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts hard or will not start

Air in fuel system - Bleed fuel system.
Fuel filter plugged - Replace filter element.
Dirty or damaged injection nozzles - Service or change injection nozzles.
Water or dirt in fuel system - Drain, flush, and service the system.
Improper valve clearance - Correct valve clearance needs to be set.
Fuel injection pump is defective - Replace or rebuild injection pump.

Engine starts and stops suddenly

Air filter is clogged - Service or replace the air filter.
Dirty fuel filter - Replace filter element.
Fuel injection pump is leaking - Repair any leaks.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Replace fuel injectors.
Defective fuel injection pump - Install a new pump or rebuild.

Engine stalls after running

Low coolant temperature - Normalize the temperature by warming up the engine.
Dirty fuel filter - Clean the filter or install new filter element.
Air trapped in fuel system - Bleed air.
Faulty or dirty injection nozzles - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Fuel injection pump timing is not adjusted - Use the correct fuel injection pump timing adjustment.

Engine stalls at low idle speed

Improperly adjusted low idle speed - Adjust low idle speed.
Fuel injection pump is broken - Install a new pump or rebuild.
Fuel injectors are faulty or clogged - Replace or clean fuel injectors.
The valve clearance is incorrect - Adjust valve clearance.

Diesel power loss

Air filter is plugged - Change or service air filter element.
Faulty fuel injection nozzles - Test injection nozzles and change if necessary.
Incorrect fuel injection pressure - Test fuel injection pressure and adjust it correctly.
Valve clearance is wrong - Have it adjusted.
Incorrect low idle speed adjustment - Correct low idle adjustment.
Fuel hoses or lines are clogged - Service fuel lines and hoses.
Cylinder-head gasket is broken - Install a new gasket.
Piston rings are worn or damaged - Install new piston rings.

Engine overheated

Engine coolant is insufficient - Refill to the correct level and inspect system for leaks.
Insufficient engine oil - Need to add engine oil.
Dirty radiator fins or faulty radiator cap - Clean radiator or change cap.
Loose or defective fan belt - Change the fan belt.
Engine overloaded - Load reducing is recommended.

Oil pressure is insufficient

Oil level is low - Fill crankcase to proper oil level.
Clogged oil filter - Clean or replace engine oil filter element.
Oil grade or viscosity is wrong - Use oil of correct viscosity.
Incorrect crankshaft bearing oil clearance - Install new bearings.
Oil pump failure - Install a new pump.

Engine knocking or noise

Not enough engine oil - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Low coolant temperature - Warm up the engine.
Wrong setting of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust the pump as required.
Low idle speed setting is incorrect - Adjustment required.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Connecting rod is defective or not aligned - Need to change or align the connecting rod.
Pistons are worn or broken - Have pistons replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

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

Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Check and refill the hydraulic fluid.
Damaged or jammed undercarriage tracks - Repair or remedy jamming.
Relief valve is damaged - Repair or replace.
Hydraulic filter or suction line is clogged - Clean suction line or replace hydraulic filter.
Defective hand or foot controls - Repair or replace.
Damaged drive pump or motor - Check and repair if required.

Machine is not driving straight or driving is jerky

Damaged or jammed track mechanism - Repair or remove jamming.
Tracks are faulty or loose - Adjust track tension as required or replace tracks.
Track frame is clogged with debris, dirt, or foreign objects - Clean track frame, remove debris and foreign objects.

Reduced power

Plugged hydraulic oil filter - Check, clean, or replace as required.
Defective or open relief valve - Close or replace relief valve.
Faulty or damaged transmission components - Check and replace defective components.
Input drive shaft is defective - Repair or replace drive shaft.
Air in hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.

Drive system overheats

Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Check and refill the hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic fluid filter is plugged - Check, clean, or replace as required.
Relief valve is worn or damaged - Change or repair relief valve.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump failure - Repair or replace faulty component.
Oil cooler is clogged - Clean cooling fins as required.
Drive system overloaded continuously - Reduce drive system load.

Drive system is noisy

Improper oil viscosity - Use oil of correct viscosity.
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.
Damaged drive pump or hydraulic motor - Check and repair if required.
Mechanical parts of drive system are worn or damaged - Inspect drive system and replace faulty components.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheats

Hydraulic pressure incorrectly adjusted - Correct adjustment is required.
Main relief valve failure or improper setting - Replace or set up the relief valve.
Hydraulic fluid is contaminated - Fill up with fresh hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic oil level is low - Fill up the hydraulic oil.
Faulty hydraulic oil pump - Repair or replace pump if necessary.

Boom won't lower or raise

Lift controls are faulty - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Hydraulic pump is broken - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Hydraulic control valve malfunction - Install a new hydraulic valve or repair it.
Hydraulic cylinder failure - Install a new boom cylinder or repair it.
Low hydraulic oil level - Need to add oil.

Bucket does not tilt

Defective bucket controls - Repair or change.
Hydraulic pump not working - Repair or change pump if required.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty - Install a new hydraulic valve or repair it.
Faulty hydraulic bucket cylinder - Repair or change cylinder.
Insufficient hydraulic oil - Need to add oil.

Boom or bucket is moving slowly

Hydraulic pump is defective - Flow-rate hydraulic pump and replace pump if necessary.
Leaking hydraulic cylinder - Replace cylinder piston seals.
Insufficient hydraulic oil - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.
Defective or not adjusted hydraulic control valve - Repair or adjust properly.
Hydraulic system loosing pressure - Adjust pressure as required.

Bucket or boom jerks when working

Air leaks in hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.
Hydraulic oil filter element clogging - Service or replace the hydraulic filter.
Contaminated hydraulic fluid - The fluid must be changed.
Scored cylinder tube or rod - Change worn component.

Hydraulic pump is excessively noisy

Hydraulic leaks or lack of oil - Refill hydraulic oil or repair leaks in system.
Plugged hydraulic filter - Clean or install new filter.
Dirty suction line - Clean suction line as required.
Pump sucks air - Need to bleed air.
Pump components are faulty - Replace or rebuild the pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery will not charge

Corroded or loose cable connections - Service or tighten cable connections.
Faulty battery terminal clamps - Replace terminal clamps.
Battery is worn - Battery change required.
Loose or worn belt - Belt needs to be adjusted or replaced.

Starter cranks slow

Battery capacity is low - Charge the battery.
Battery will not hold charge - Service or replace the battery.
Battery terminals are corroded or wires are disconnected - Connect wires properly or change terminals.

Starter does not work

Battery is drained or worn - Recharge or change battery.
Wiring is improperly connected or disconnected - Check wiring and connect properly.
Battery voltage is low - Battery needs to be recharged.
Faulty starter motor - Starter needs to be changed.