John Deere 318D Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The John Deere 318D skid steer loader is powered by 149.1 cu.in (2.4L) JD PowerTech E 4024HT 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 58 hp (43.3 kW). The John Deere 318D is equipped with 1-speed hydrostatic transmission, vertical-lift loader boom, 80 HD drive chains, automatic wet disc brake, and 10x16.5 tires. The hydraulic system has a standard pump with fluid flow rate of 18 gpm (68 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3100 psi (214 bar). The skid steer has a rated operating capacity of 1800 lbs (817 kg) and tipping load of 3600 lbs (1634 kg). The boom lifting force is 3500 lbs (1590 kg), and bucket breakout force is 5125 lbs (2327 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine hard to start or won't start

Air in the fuel pipes - Bleed the fuel pipes.
Dirty fuel filter - Install new filter element.
Burnt or defective injection nozzle - Clean or replace injection nozzles.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
Incorrect valve clearance - Need to adjust valve clearance.
Fuel injection pump is broken - Repair or change injection pump.

Diesel starts but immediately stops

Air filter is dirty - Replace or clean air filter element.
Fuel filter element is clogged - Service or replace the filter.
Fuel injection pump is leaking - Repair any leaks.
Dirty or defective injectors - Inspect fuel injectors and change as required.
Faulty fuel injection pump - Repair or install new pump.

Engine stalls after running

Coolant temperature is low - Normalize the temperature by warming up the engine.
Fuel filter plugging - Clean or change the filter.
Air in the fuel pipes - Bleed the fuel pipes.
Clogged or burnt injection nozzle - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Wrong setting of fuel injection pump timing - Set it up as required.

Engine shuts off while idling

Low idle speed setting is incorrect - Adjust as required.
Fuel injection pump failure - Replace or rebuild injection pump.
Defective fuel injectors - Test and replace fuel injectors if necessary.
Incorrect valve clearance - Correct valve clearance needs to be set.

Lack of engine power

Air filter is clogged - Replace or clean air filter element.
Defective injection nozzle - Clean or replace injection nozzles.
Fuel injection pressure is wrong - Check the fuel injection pressure and adjust if necessary.
Valve out of adjustment - Adjust valve clearance according to specifications.
Improperly adjusted low idle speed - Adjust the low idle speed.
Clogged fuel lines or hoses - Clean fuel hoses and lines.
Blown cylinder head gasket - Change cylinder head gasket.
Piston rings are broken or leaking - Piston rings replacement required.

Engine overheated

Engine coolant is insufficient - Top up coolant fluid and check system for leaks.
Engine oil level low - Fill up the engine oil.
Dirty radiator core or defective radiator cap - Clean radiator or replace cap.
Loose or damaged fan belt - Change the fan belt.
Engine is under excessive load - Reduce engine load.

Oil pressure is insufficient

Lack of oil - Fill crankcase to proper oil level.
Clogged oil filter element - Service or replace engine oil filter.
Wrong oil viscosity - Drain and refill with oil of correct grade and viscosity.
Crankshaft bearing has incorrect oil clearance - Bearing replacement required.
Oil pump failure - Install a new pump.

Engine knocking sound or abnormal noise

Low engine oil level - Check oil level and add oil as required.
Low coolant temperature - Warm up the engine.
Improper fuel injection timing - Check the fuel injection pump timing adjustment.
Improperly adjusted low idle speed - Correct the settings.
Dirty or defective injectors - Test and replace fuel injectors if necessary.
Misaligned or defective connecting rod - Need to align or replace the connecting rod.
Pistons are scored or worn - Have pistons replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Machine will not move forward or backward

Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Add fluid as required.
Drive chain fault - Check drive chain and change faulty components.
Damaged input drive shaft - Repair or replace.
Relief valve worn or defective - Relief valve need to be replaced or repair.
Clogged hydraulic filter or suction line - Service suction line or replace hydraulic filter.
Foot or hand controls are damaged - Replace or repair.
Drive pump or motor is damaged - Inspect and change as required.

Loss of power

Dirty hydraulic oil filter - Replace hydraulic filter.
Damaged or opened relief valve - Close or change relief valve.
Transmission parts are damaged or faulty - Check and change faulty components.
Input drive shaft malfunction - Repair or replace faulty drive shaft.
Air in hydraulic system - Need to bleed air.

Drive system is overheated

Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Checking hydraulic fluid level and add if necessary.
Hydraulic fluid filter is plugged - Check, clean, or replace as required.
Faulty relief valve - Change or repair relief valve.
Defective drive pump or hydraulic motor - Replace or repair faulty component.
Plugged hydraulic oil cooler - Clean cooling fins as required.
Drive system is overloaded - Reduce the load.

Drive system is noisy

Oil viscosity is too heavy - Use oil of correct viscosity.
There is air in the hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.
Defective drive pump or hydraulic motor - Repair or replace faulty component.
Mechanical parts of drive system are damaged or worn - Inspect drive system and replace faulty parts.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheated

Hydraulic pressure is not correct - Correct setting is required.
Defective or misadjusted main relief valve - Adjust or change relief valve.
Contaminated hydraulic fluid - The fluid must be changed.
Lack of hydraulic oil - Fill the hydraulic system with oil.
Hydraulic pump is faulty - Install new pump or repair it.

Boom cannot be lowered or raised

Lift controls are defective - Repair or replace.
Defective hydraulic pump - Install new pump or repair it.
Hydraulic control valve malfunction - Repair or change hydraulic valve.
Hydraulic cylinder failure - Repair or replace hydraulic cylinder.
Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.

Bucket won't move

Damaged bucket controls - Replace or repair.
Hydraulic pump not working - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Faulty hydraulic control valve - Repair or change the valve.
Faulty hydraulic bucket cylinder - Repair or replace cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Add fluid as required.

Slow boom or bucket action

Worn hydraulic oil pump - Check the pump performance and replace it if required.
Oil leaks from hydraulic cylinder - Install new cylinder seals.
Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Hydraulic control valve is defective or set improper - Set properly or repair.
Hydraulic system loosing pressure - Hydraulic pressure must be set correctly.

Bucket or boom is working jerkily

Air in the hydraulic system - Need to bleed air.
Dirty hydraulic oil filter element - Clean or install new filter.
Dirty hydraulic oil - Hydraulic oil change required.
Cylinder rod or tube is scratched - Replace failed component.

Hydraulic pump is excessively noisy

Not enough oil or hydraulic system leaking - Remedy hydraulic leakage or refill oil as necessary.
Hydraulic filter is clogged - Change or clean oil filter.
Plugged suction line - Need to service the suction line.
Air in hydraulic pump - Bleed air from hydraulics.
Pump parts are damaged - Replace or rebuild the pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery cannot be charged

Loose or corroded cable connections - Tighten or clean connections.
Battery terminal connectors are defective - Replace terminal connectors.
Defective battery - Change the battery.
Defective or loose belt - Adjust belt tension or change the belt.

Starter turns slow

Battery power is low - Charge the battery.
Battery runs out quickly - Service battery or replace it.
Disconnected wires or corroded battery terminals - Check wire connections and change or service terminals.

Starter doesn't crank

Battery is drained or defective - Replace or charge as required.
Disconnected or improperly connected wiring harness - Inspect battery wiring harness and connect as required.
Battery capacity is low - Low battery charging, charge as required.
Starter motor is defective - Repair or install a new starter.