John Deere 317G Track Loader Troubleshooting

The John Deere 317G compact track loader driveline system components: a 128.1 cu.in (2.1L) Yanmar 4TNV86CHT 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 61 hp (45.6 kW), and single-speed hydro transmission. The hydraulic system has a pump with a rated flow of 17 gpm (63 lpm). The system pressure is 3450 psi (238 bar). The John Deere 317G is equipped with vertical-lift loader boom, wet disc brakes, and 12.6" (320 mm) or 15.8" (400 mm) rubber tracks. The loader has a boom lift force of 5250 lbs (2385 kg) and bucket breakout force of 6000 lbs (2725 kg). The rated operating capacity is 2125 lbs (965 kg), and tipping load is 6070 lbs (2756 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts up hard or won't start

Air trapped in fuel system - Bleed air.
Fuel filter plugged - Clean or change the filter.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged - Change fuel injection nozzles.
Water or dirt in fuel system - Drain, flush, and service the system.
The valve clearance is not adjusted - Check and adjust as required.
Fuel injection pump malfunction - Repair or replace injection pump.

Diesel starts but stalls immediately

Air cleaner is clogged - Install new air cleaner element.
Dirty fuel filter - Replace the filter element.
Fuel injection pump has loose connections - Tighten the connections.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Replace fuel injectors.
Fuel injection pump failure - Rebuild or replace pump.

Engine shuts off suddenly during operation

Engine has not warmed up to recommended temperature - Normalize the temperature by warming up the engine.
Fuel filter element clogging - Clean or change the filter.
There is air in the fuel system - Bleed the system.
Defective or clogged injection nozzle - Change fuel injection nozzles.
Fuel injection pump timing is not adjusted - Adjust fuel injection pump as required.

Engine stops while idling

Incorrect low idle setting - Need to adjust idle speed.
Fuel injection pump malfunctioning - Change pump or rebuild it.
Defective fuel injectors - Replace or clean fuel injectors.
Improper valve clearance - Adjust valve clearance.

Diesel engine loses power

Air filter is clogged - Clean or replace element.
Damaged or dirty injection nozzles - Clean or change injection nozzles.
Fuel injection pressure is wrong - Correct the pressure settings.
Valve clearance is wrong - Check and adjust as required.
Incorrectly set low idle speed - Adjust the low idle speed.
Fuel lines or hoses are dirty - Service fuel hoses and lines.
Blown cylinder head gasket - Replace cylinder head gasket.
Piston rings are defective or leaking - Install new piston rings.

Engine overheated

Insufficient coolant - Add coolant fluid to cooling system and also check it for leaks.
Low engine oil level - Fill up the oil to required level.
Dirty radiator fins or faulty radiator cap - Install new cap or clean radiator.
Excessive wear of the fan belt - The fan belt needs to be replaced.
Engine overload - Reduce engine load.

Oil pressure is low

Oil level is insufficient - Checking oil level and add if necessary.
Oil filter clogging - Clean or change engine oil filter.
Wrong oil viscosity - Fill up with the correct oil viscosity.
Incorrect crankshaft bearing oil clearance - Bearing replacement required.
Defective oil pump - Inspect and change as required.

Engine knocks or noises

Not enough engine oil - Need to add engine oil.
Engine has not warmed up to recommended temperature - Warm up the engine as required.
Incorrect adjustment of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust as recommended.
Improperly adjusted low idle speed - Adjust as required.
Defective fuel injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Misaligned or defective connecting rod - Alignment procedure or replacement is required.
Pistons are broken or worn - Replace the pistons as required.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Machine will not move forward or backward

Low hydraulic fluid level - Check and refill the hydraulic fluid.
Damaged or jammed track mechanism - Repair or fix jamming.
Relief valve worn or defective - Change or repair relief valve.
Suction line or hydraulic filter is plugged - Clean suction line or replace hydraulic filter.
Defective hand or foot controls - Check and repair as required.
Drive motor or pump failure - Replace or repair faulty component.

Machine does not move straight or moves jerky

Undercarriage tracks are jammed or defective - Repair or fix jamming.
Tracks are loose or faulty - Replace tracks or adjust track tension.
Debris, dirt, or foreign objects stuck in undercarriage track frame - Clean track frame, remove debris and foreign objects.

Power is too low

Dirty hydraulic oil filter - Replace or service hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is damaged or open - Change or close relief valve.
Faulty or damaged transmission components - Check and replace defective components.
Defective input drive shaft - Repair or replace drive shaft.
Air in the hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.

Drive system overheating

Low hydraulic oil level - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.
Clogged hydraulic fluid filter - Change or service hydraulic filter.
Relief valver is broken - Repair or install a new relief valve.
Worn hydraulic motor or drive pump - Inspect and change as required.
Hydraulic oil cooler is dirty - Clean the cooling fins.
Drive system overload - Reduce loading.

Excessive noise

Oil viscosity is incorrect - Use oil of correct viscosity.
Air in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is defective - Change or repair faulty component.
Mechanical components of drive system are worn or damaged - Check drive system and change faulty components.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheated

Incorrect hydraulic pressure setting - Adjust pressure correctly.
Main relief valve improper adjustment or failure - Set up or change the relief valve.
Hydraulic oil is dirty - The oil must be changed.
Hydraulic fluid level is low - Add fluid to the hydraulic system.
Defective hydraulic pump - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.

Lift arm fails to drop or lift

Defective lift controls - Change or repair.
Defective hydraulic pump - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Damaged hydraulic control valve - Replace or repair the valve.
Damaged hydraulic cylinder - Replace or repair boom cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid level low - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.

Bucket does not tilt

Bucket controls failure - Repair or replace.
Hydraulic pump failure - Repair or change pump if required.
Damaged hydraulic control valve - Install a new valve or repair it.
Defective bucket cylinder - Repair or install a new cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid level low - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.

Bucket or lift arm runs slowly

Defective hydraulic pump - Check pump capacity and change if necessary.
Hydraulic cylinder leaking - Correct leakage by changing the seals.
Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Hydraulic control valve is not set properly or defective - Repair or set correctly.
Hydraulic system loosing pressure - Adjust pressure correctly.

Bucket or boom jerks when working

Hydraulic system is leaking air - Bleed hydraulic system.
Plugged hydraulic oil filter - Clean or replace the filter.
Hydraulic oil is dirty - Change hydraulic oil.
Cylinder rod or tube is scratched - Replace defective component.

Hydraulic pump is noisy

Hydraulic leakage or low oil level - Remedy hydraulic leakage or refill oil as necessary.
Hydraulic filter clogging - Clean or install new filter.
Suction line is dirty - Clean suction line as required.
Air trapped in hydraulic pump - Bleed air.
Worn pump parts - Rebuild or install new pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery is not charging

Loose or corroded cable connections - Tighten or clean connections.
Faulty battery terminal clamps - Install new terminal clamps.
Battery is defective - Replace the battery.
Defective or loose belt - Belt needs to be adjusted or changed.

Starter turning slow

Low battery capacity - Charge the battery.
Battery drains quickly - Service charging system or install new battery.
Faulty battery terminals or disconnected cables - Check wiring connections and replace or clean terminals.

Starter does not work

Battery is discharged or worn - Change or recharge battery.
Disconnected or improperly connected wiring harness - Inspect battery wiring harness and connect as required.
Low battery voltage - Battery needs to be recharged.
Faulty starter motor - Starter should be changed.