John Deere 323E Track Loader Troubleshooting

The John Deere 323E compact track loader is powered by 202.5 cu.in (3.3L) Yanmar 4TNV98CT 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine with a rated power of 70 hp (52.5 kW). The John Deere 323E is equipped with a single-speed or two-speed transmission, vertical-lift loader boom, wet-disc brakes, and 12.6" (320 mm) or 15.8" (400 mm) rubber tracks with steel inserts. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 18 gpm (68 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3250 psi (224 bar). The track loader has a rated operating capacity of 2590 lbs (1176 kg) and tipping load of 7200 lbs (3268 kg). The boom lifting force is 4300 lbs (1952 kg), and bucket breakout force is 7000 lbs (3178 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine hard to start or doesn't start

There is air in the fuel system - Bleed the system.
Fuel filter element clogging - Clean the filter element.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged or dirty - Change fuel injection nozzles.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
Improper valve clearance - Correct valve clearance needs to be set.
Fuel injection pump is faulty - Change or repair the pump.

Engine starts but stops suddenly

Air cleaner is clogged - Clean or replace air cleaner element.
Dirty fuel filter - Clean or replace the filter.
Fuel injection pump has loose connections - Tighten the connections.
Fuel injectors are faulty or clogged - Clean fuel injectors or change it.
Fuel injection pump is damaged - Repair or install new pump.

Engine stalls while running

Engine is not fully warmed up - Warm up to required temperature.
Fuel filter plugging - Clean or change the filter.
Air trapped in fuel system - Bleed air.
Fuel injection nozzles are clogged or faulty - Service or change injection nozzles.
Incorrect adjustment of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust fuel injection pump as required.

Engine stalls at idle

Low idle speed setting is not correct - Adjust the low idle speed.
Fuel injection pump damage - Repair or replace injection pump.
Dirty or defective injectors - Test and replace fuel injectors if necessary.
Improper valve clearance - Adjust valve clearance according to specifications.

Loss of engine power

Air filter is plugged - Clean or replace element.
Fuel injection nozzles are dirty or defective - Clean or replace injection nozzles.
Incorrect fuel injection pressure - Check the fuel injection pressure and adjust if necessary.
Valve out of adjustment - Adjust valve clearance.
Incorrectly set low idle speed - Test and adjust.
Clogged fuel hoses or lines - Clean fuel lines and hoses.
Cylinder head gasket is blown - Cylinder-head gasket replacement required.
Piston rings are worn or damaged - Piston rings need to be replaced.

Engine overheated

Lack of coolant in cooling system - Fill radiator to proper level and check components for faults.
Engine oil level is insufficient - Add oil to the engine crankcase.
Clogged radiator core or leaking radiator cap - Install new cap or clean radiator.
Broken or loose fan belt - If necessary, replace the belt.
Engine is overloaded - Reduce load on the engine.

Low oil pressure

Low crankcase oil level - Need to add oil.
Plugged engine oil filter - Replace or service engine oil filter.
Incorrect engine oil Fill up with the correct oil viscosity.
Crankshaft bearing has incorrect oil clearance - Install new bearings.
Oil pump is defective - Remove and inspect oil pump.

Abnormal engine knocking or noise

Lack of engine oil - Check oil level and add oil as required.
Coolant temperature is low - Warm up to required temperature.
Improper fuel injection timing - Set it up as required.
Incorrect low idle speed adjustment - Normalize low idle speed.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Connecting rod failure or misalignment - Need to replace or align the connecting rod.
Pistons are scored or worn - Replace the pistons as required.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system won't operate in either direction

Hydraulic fluid level low - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Defective or blocked undercarriage tracks - Repair or correct blockage.
Defective relief valve - Repair or replace.
Dirty suction line or hydraulic filter - Check, clean, or replace if required.
Hand or foot controls malfunction - Replace or repair.
Drive motor or pump is defective - Check and repair if required.

Machine is not moving straight or moving is jerky

Damaged or jammed track mechanism - Repair or remedy jamming.
Faulty or loose tracks - Adjust track tension or repair tracks.
Track frame is clogged with debris, dirt, or foreign objects - Clean undercarriage track frame, remove foreign objects and debris.

Lack of power

Plugged hydraulic oil filter - Check, clean, or replace as required.
Relief valve is open or worn - Replace or close relief valve.
Transmission parts are defective or worn - Check and change faulty components.
Worn input drive shaft - Repair or install a new drive shaft.
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.

Drive system keeps overheating

Low hydraulic oil level - Need to add oil.
Dirty hydraulic fluid filter - Check, clean, or replace as required.
Defective or worn relief valve - Repair or replace.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is defective - Change or repair faulty component.
Plugged hydraulic oil cooler - Cooling fins should be cleaned.
Drive system overloaded continuously - Reduce the load.

Drive system is excessively noisy

Incorrect oil viscosity - Use correct oil viscosity.
There is air in the hydraulic system - Need to bleed air.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor is damaged - Change or repair faulty component.
Worn or damaged mechanical parts of drive system - Check drive system and change faulty parts.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheated

Incorrect hydraulic pressure setting - Hydraulic pressure must be set correctly.
Unadjusted or defective main relief valve - Replace or set up the relief valve.
Hydraulic fluid is contaminated - Change hydraulic fluid.
Not enough hydraulic oil in the system - Add oil to the hydraulic system.
Hydraulic pump is worn - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.

Lift arm won't raise or lower

Lift controls are damaged - Repair or replace.
Hydraulic pump failure - Repair or change pump if required.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty - Install a new hydraulic valve or repair it.
Hydraulic cylinder is faulty - Change or repair lift cylinder.
Insufficient hydraulic oil - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.

Bucket fails to tilt

Bucket controls failure - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Hydraulic pump is broken - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.
Hydraulic control valve malfunction - Repair or change the valve.
Damaged bucket cylinder - Repair or replace cylinder.
Insufficient hydraulic oil - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.

Bucket or lift arm runs slowly

Worn hydraulic oil pump - Check hydraulic pump flow and replace pump if necessary.
Hydraulic cylinder leaking - Cylinder seals need to be replaced.
Low hydraulic fluid level - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Hydraulic control valve is not set properly or defective - Repair or set properly.
Hydraulic pressure has dropped - Correct adjustment is required.

Bucket or boom movements are jerky

Air in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Clogged hydraulic oil filter element - Clean or change the filter.
Hydraulic oil is contaminated - Change hydraulic oil.
Cylinder tube or rod scoring - Change worn component.

Hydraulic pump makes excessive noise

Hydraulic system leaking or not enough oil - Remedy hydraulic leakage or refill oil as necessary.
Hydraulic filter is dirty - Clean or change the filter.
Suction line is clogged - Need to clean the suction line.
Pump sucks air - Need to bleed air.
Worn pump parts - Replace or rebuild the pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery does not charge

Loose or corroded wire connections - Clean or tighten connections.
Battery terminal clamps are defective - Change terminal clamps.
Battery dead cell - Change the battery.
Belt is loose or defective - Adjust belt tension or change the belt.

Starter turns slowly

Battery capacity is low - Low battery charging, charge as required.
Battery is not holding charge - Service charging system or replace battery.
Battery terminals are corroded or wires are disconnected - Connect wires correctly or change terminals.

Starter is not cranking

Battery is discharged or defective - Change or recharge battery.
Wiring is incorrectly connected or disconnected - Inspect wiring and connect correctly.
Battery power is low - Low battery charging, charge as required.
Defective starter motor - Replace or repair starter.