John Deere 318G Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The John Deere 318G skid steer 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 1-speed or 2-speed hydrostatic transmission. The hydraulic system has a pump with a rated capacity of 17 gal/min (64 l/min). The system relief pressure is 3450 psi (238 bar). The John Deere 318G is equipped with vertical-lift loader boom, 80 HD drive chains, and 10x16.5 tires. The skid steer has a maximum lift height of 120" (3050 mm) to hinge pin and dump height of 94.4" (2400 mm). The rated operating capacity is 1945 lbs (883 kg), and tipping load is 3890 lbs (1766 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts hard or doesn't start

Air in the fuel pipes - Bleed the fuel pipes.
Clogged fuel filter - Replace the filter element.
Faulty or dirty injection nozzles - Clean or replace injection nozzles.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
Valve clearance is out of adjustment - Adjust valve clearance.
Faulty fuel injection pump - Install a new fuel pump or repair.

Diesel starts but stalls immediately

Dirty air cleaner - Service or replace air cleaner.
Fuel filter plugged - Replace the filter element.
Fuel injection pump leakage - Check the fuel injection pump for leaks and fix it.
Clogged or defective injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Faulty fuel injection pump - Repair or install a new fuel pump.

Engine stops unexpectedly during operation

Engine is not warmed up to required temperature - Warm up the engine as required.
Dirty fuel filter - Replace the filter element.
Air in the fuel lines - Bleed the fuel lines.
Defective injection nozzle - Service or change injection nozzles.
Improper fuel injection timing - Adjust fuel injection pump as required.

Engine shuts off while idling

Too low idle RPM - Correct low idle adjustment.
Fuel injection pump is broken - Rebuild or replace pump.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Replace or clean fuel injectors.
Valve clearance is wrong - Correct valve clearance needs to be set.

Low engine power

Air filter is clogged - Install new air filter element.
Fuel injection nozzles are dirty or defective - Inspect nozzles and replace if necessary.
Insufficient fuel injection pressure - Adjust to correct pressure.
The valve clearance is not adjusted - Correct valve clearance.
Incorrect low idle setting - Adjust low idling as recommended.
Restricted fuel lines or hoses - Service fuel lines and hoses.
Cylinder-head gasket is broken - Cylinder-head gasket replacement required.
Piston rings are damaged or leaking - Change piston rings.

Engine is overheated

Engine coolant is insufficient - Fill radiator to proper level and check components for faults.
Engine oil level is insufficient - Fill up the engine oil.
Dirty radiator core or defective radiator cap - Change cap or clean radiator.
Excessive wear of the fan belt - The fan belt needs to be replaced.
Engine overloaded - Load reducing is recommended.

Oil pressure too low

Lack of oil - Need to add oil.
Oil filter element clogged - Clean or change engine oil filter.
Incorrect engine oil Use oil of correct viscosity.
Excessive crankshaft bearing oil clearance - Bearing replacement required.
Oil pump failure - Remove and inspect oil pump.

Engine knocks or noises

Lack of engine oil - Checking oil level and add if necessary.
Engine not warmed up - Normalize the temperature by warming up the engine.
Wrong setting of fuel injection pump timing - Set up as recommended.
Low idle speed set incorrectly - Test and adjust.
Fuel injector fault - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Misaligned or defective connecting rod - Connecting rod needs to be replaced or aligned.
Pistons are scored or worn - Pistons replacement required.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system doesn't work in either direction

Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.
Drive chain fault - Check drive chain and change defective components.
Input drive shaft is defective - Rebuild or change.
Relief valve worn or defective - Change or repair relief valve.
Clogged hydraulic filter or suction line - Clean suction line or change hydraulic filter.
Hand or foot controls malfunction - Replace or repair.
Drive motor or pump is worn - Inspect and change as required.

Reduced power

Hydraulic oil filter is dirty - Check, clean, or change as necessary.
Open or damaged relief valve - Close or change relief valve.
Faulty or worn transmission components - Inspect and change faulty parts.
Defective input drive shaft - Repair or install a new drive shaft.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.

Drive system is overheated

Low hydraulic oil level - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.
Plugged hydraulic fluid filter - Check, clean, or change as necessary.
Relief valver is broken - Change or repair relief valve.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump failure - Repair or change faulty component.
Dirty oil cooler - Cooling fins need to be cleaned.
Transmission overloading - Reduce the load.

Drive system is excessively noisy

Oil viscosity is wrong - Drain and refill with correct oil.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Need to bleed air.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is defective - Inspect and change as required.
Worn or defective mechanical parts of drive system - Check the components for defect or damage and change if necessary.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheats

Hydraulic pressure is not adjusted correctly - Adjust pressure correctly.
Main relief valve is defective or unadjusted - Adjust or replace the relief valve.
Dirty hydraulic fluid - Hydraulic fluid change required.
Hydraulic fluid level is insufficient - Fill the hydraulic system with oil.
Hydraulic pump is worn - Install new pump or repair it.

Lift arm cannot be raised or lowered

Damaged lift controls - Repair or replace.
Damaged hydraulic oil pump - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.
Defective hydraulic control valve - Install a new hydraulic valve or repair it.
Faulty hydraulic cylinder - Replace or repair boom cylinder.
Insufficient hydraulic oil - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.

Bucket fails to tilt

Bucket tilt controls malfunction - Replace or repair.
Defective hydraulic pump - Install new pump or repair it.
Damaged hydraulic control valve - Repair or change hydraulic valve.
Bucket cylinder is faulty - Change or repair cylinder.
Insufficient hydraulic oil - Need to add oil.

Slow boom or bucket action

Hydraulic pump is faulty - Test the pump flow rate and install new pump if required.
Hydraulic cylinder leaking - Cylinder seals need to be replaced.
Hydraulic fluid level low - Checking hydraulic fluid level and add if necessary.
Faulty or incorrect setting hydraulic control valve - Set properly or repair.
Hydraulic pressure is low - Adjust pressure correctly.

Jerky operation of the bucket or boom

Air in the hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.
Plugged hydraulic oil filter - Change or clean oil filter.
Contaminated hydraulic oil - Fill up with fresh hydraulic oil.
Cylinder tube or rod scoring - Change worn component.

Excessive hydraulic pump noise

Low oil level or hydraulic leaks - Repair hydraulic leaks or add oil as required.
Hydraulic filter is clogged - Service or change hydraulic filter.
Plugged suction line - Need to clean the suction line.
Air in hydraulic pump - Remove air from hydraulics.
Pump parts are faulty - Install new hydraulic pump or rebuild it.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery is not charging

Loose or corroded wire connections - Clean or tighten wiring connections.
Faulty battery terminal connectors - Install new terminal connectors.
Battery is defective - Battery replacement required.
Belt is defective or loose - Replace belt or adjust belt tension.

Starter turns slow

Battery capacity is low - Battery needs to be recharged.
Battery is draining quickly - Battery needs to be serviced or replaced.
Wires are disconnected or battery terminals are corroded - Check cable connections and replace or service terminals.

Starter will not work

Battery is low or faulty - Change or recharge battery.
Disconnected or incorrectly connected wires - Inspect battery wires and connect correctly.
Battery capacity is low - Recharge the battery.
Defective starter motor - Change or repair starter.