John Deere 316GR Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The John Deere 316GR skid steer loader is powered by 128.1 cu.in (2.1L) Yanmar 4TNV86CHT 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 61 hp (45.6 kW) at 2600 rpm. The John Deere 316GR is equipped with one-speed or two-speed transmission, vertical-lift loader boom, 80 HD drive chains, automatic wet disc brakes, and 10x16.5 tires. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 17 gpm (64 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3450 psi (238 bar). The skid steer has a rated operating capacity of 1750 lbs (795 kg) and tipping load of 3500 lbs (1590 kg). The lift height is 115" (2920 mm) to hinge pin, and dump height is 88.5" (2250 mm).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine hard to start or won't start

There is air in the fuel system - Bleed the system.
Clogged fuel filter - Change filter element.
Fuel injection nozzles are dirty or defective - Clean or change injection nozzles.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
Valve out of adjustment - Check and adjust.
Damaged fuel injection pump - Install a new pump or rebuild.

Diesel starts and suddenly stops

Dirty air cleaner - Clean or replace air cleaner element.
Fuel filter plugging - Replace filter element.
Fuel injection pump has loose connections - Tighten the connections.
Fuel injectors are faulty or clogged - Inspect fuel injectors and change as required.
Fuel injection pump malfunction - Repair or replace injection pump.

Engine stops unexpectedly during operation

Coolant temperature is low - Warm up the engine.
Fuel filter is plugged - Clean or change the filter.
Air in the fuel pipes - Bleed the fuel pipes.
Fuel injection nozzles are dirty or defective - Clean or replace injection nozzles.
Fuel injection pump timing is not adjusted - Check the fuel injection pump timing adjustment.

Engine stops while idle

Incorrect low idle setting - Correct the settings.
Fuel injection pump malfunctioning - Change or repair the pump.
Fuel injectors are faulty or clogged - Clean or replace fuel injectors.
Excessive valve clearance - Adjust to proper valve clearance.

Low engine power

Plugged air cleaner - Clean or change.
Fuel injection nozzles are dirty or defective - Service or change injection nozzles.
Incorrect fuel injection pressure - Adjust pressure to proper level.
Excessive valve clearance - Check and adjust.
Low idle speed setting is incorrect - Adjustment required.
Fuel lines or hoses are dirty - Clean fuel hoses and lines.
Cylinder head gasket is blown - Replace the gasket as required.
Piston rings are leaking or defective - Change piston rings.

Engine is overheated

Engine coolant is insufficient - 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 - Clean radiator or change cap.
Fan belt is broken or worn - The fan belt needs to be replaced.
Engine overloaded - Load reducing is recommended.

Insufficient oil pressure

Oil level is low - Checking oil level and add if necessary.
Oil filter clogged - Service or change engine oil filter element.
Incorrect engine oil Fill up with the proper oil viscosity.
Crankshaft bearing oil clearance is incorrect - Bearings need to be reinstalled.
Defective oil pump - Install a new pump.

Abnormal engine noise or knocking

Not enough engine oil - Need to add engine oil.
Engine not warmed up - Warm up the engine.
Fuel injection pump timing is not adjusted - Set it up as required.
Low idle speed setting is incorrect - Correct the settings.
Dirty or defective injectors - Inspect fuel injectors and change as required.
Faulty or misaligned connecting rod - Alignment procedure or replacement is required.
Worn or broken pistons - Install new pistons.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Machine is not moving in one direction or either direction

Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Checking hydraulic fluid level and add if necessary.
Drive chain is worn - Check drive chain and change defective parts.
Input drive shaft failure - Drive shaft need to be replaced or repair.
Relief valver is broken - Change or repair relief valve.
Clogged suction line or hydraulic filter - Service suction line or change hydraulic filter.
Defective or worn foot or hand controls - Check and repair as required.
Drive motor or pump is defective - Repair or change faulty component.

Reduced power

Hydraulic oil filter is clogged - Replace or clean hydraulic filter.
Opened or worn relief valve - Change or close relief valve.
Transmission parts are defective or worn - Inspect and replace defective parts.
Input drive shaft is stuck - Repair or install a new drive shaft.
Air in hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.

Drive system overheating

Low hydraulic fluid level - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic fluid filter is dirty - Change or clean hydraulic filter.
Relief valve defective or worn - Service or change relief valve.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor malfunction - Inspect and change as required.
Dirty oil cooler - Clean the cooling fins.
Overloaded drive system - Reduce drive system load.

Drive system makes excessive noise

Incorrect oil viscosity - Drain and refill with correct oil.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor malfunction - Check and repair if required.
Defective or worn mechanical parts of drive system - Check the parts for defect or damage and change if required.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheating

Incorrect hydraulic pressure setting - Correct adjustment is required.
Main relief valve is damaged or adjusted improperly - Adjust or change relief valve.
Hydraulic fluid is contaminated - Fill up with fresh hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic fluid level is low - Need to add fluid.
Defective hydraulic pump - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.

Lift arm cannot be raised or lowered

Faulty lift controls - Replace or repair.
Hydraulic pump not working - Repair or change pump if required.
Damaged hydraulic control valve - Replace or repair the valve.
Hydraulic cylinder failure - Change or repair lift cylinder.
Insufficient hydraulic oil - Need to add oil.

Bucket can't tilt

Defective bucket controls - Replace or repair.
Hydraulic pump failure - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty - Repair or change hydraulic valve.
Broken bucket cylinder - Replace or repair cylinder.
Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.

Slow boom or bucket action

Defective hydraulic pump - Check pump flow and install new pump if necessary.
Leaking hydraulic cylinder - Replace cylinder piston seals.
Low hydraulic oil level - Need to add oil.
Damaged or incorrect adjusted hydraulic control valve - Repair or adjust properly.
Hydraulic pressure has dropped - Adjust it correctly.

Bucket or boom movements are jerky

Air in the hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.
Dirty hydraulic oil filter element - Service or replace the hydraulic filter.
Hydraulic oil contamination - The oil must be changed.
Scratched cylinder rod or tube - Replace damaged component.

Hydraulic pump is noisy

Hydraulic leaks or low oil level - Repair hydraulic leaks or add oil as required.
Plugged hydraulic filter - Clean or install new filter.
Suction line is dirty - Clean suction line as required.
Pump sucks air - Air bleeding is required.
Pump parts are damaged - Rebuild or install new pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery does not charge

Corroded or loose wire connections - Tighten or clean connections.
Defective battery terminal clamps - Terminal clamps should be changed.
Battery is defective - Replace the battery.
Belt is loose or defective - Belt needs to be adjusted or changed.

Starter cranks slowly

Low battery voltage - Recharge the battery.
Battery is draining quickly - Service battery or change it.
Disconnected cables or faulty battery terminals - Connect cables properly or replace terminals.

Starter is not cranking

Battery is discharged or defective - Change or recharge battery.
Wiring harness is disconnected or improperly connected - Check wiring harness and connect as required.
Low battery power - Battery is drained, recharge it.
Starter motor is damaged - Starter should be changed.