John Deere 325 Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The John Deere 325 skid steer loader driveline system components: a 186 cu.in (3L) JD PowerTech 5030T five-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine with a rated power of 70 hp (51.9 kW), and 1-speed or 2-speed transmission. The hydraulic system has a pump with a rated capacity of 22 gal/min (84 l/min). The system pressure is 3100 psi (214 bar). The John Deere 325 is equipped with vertical-lift loader boom, 100 HD drive chains, hydraulic wet disc brakes, and 12x16.5 tires. The skid steer has a max lift height of 125.2" (3180 mm) to hinge pin and dump height of 100" (2540 mm). The rated operating capacity is 2500 lbs (1135 kg), and tipping load is 5000 lbs (2270 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts up hard or won't start

Air in the fuel system - Air bleeding.
Fuel filter plugged - Clean the filter or install new filter element.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Water in the fuel system - Change fuel and repair fuel system.
The valve clearance is incorrect - Check and adjust as required.
Damaged fuel injection pump - Replace or repair injection pump.

Engine starts and then shuts off

Clogged air filter - Replace or clean air filter element.
Fuel filter plugged - Clean or change the filter.
Fuel injection pump leakage - Check the fuel injection pump for leaks and fix it.
Fuel injectors are dirty or defective - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Fuel injection pump is broken - Repair or change injection pump.

Engine stalls while running

Engine not warmed up - Warm up the engine.
Clogged fuel filter - Service or replace the filter.
Air in the fuel lines - Bleed the fuel lines.
Dirty or damaged injection nozzles - Change fuel injection nozzles.
Fuel injection pump timing is wrong - Adjust the pump as required.

Engine stalls at low idle speed

Low idle speed set incorrectly - Correct low idle adjustment.
Fuel injection pump failure - Change or repair the pump.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Inspect fuel injectors and change as required.
Valve clearance is not correct - Adjustment procedure required.

Engine power is insufficient

Air filter is clogged - Change or service air filter element.
Dirty or damaged injection nozzles - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Improper fuel injection pressure - Correct the pressure settings.
Valve clearance is wrong - Need to adjust valve clearance.
Improperly adjusted low idle speed - Normalize low idle speed.
Fuel lines or hoses are clogged - Clean fuel system hoses and lines.
Defective cylinder head gasket - Install a new gasket.
Damaged or leaking piston rings - Replace the piston rings as required.

Engine overheated

Lack of engine coolant - Refill to the correct level and inspect system for leaks.
Engine oil insufficient - Check oil level and add oil as required.
Faulty radiator cap or dirty radiator fins - Clean radiator or replace cap.
Loose or damaged fan belt - Replace as required.
Engine is overloaded - Reduce load on the engine.

Oil pressure is low

Engine oil insufficient - Need to add oil.
Dirty oil filter - Replace or clean engine oil filter element.
Oil grade or viscosity is incorrect - Use oil of proper viscosity.
Crankshaft bearing has incorrect oil clearance - Replace bearings.
Oil pump malfunction - Replace as required.

Engine knocking or noise

Engine oil level is low - Fill up the engine oil.
Engine is not warmed up to required temperature - Warm up the engine as required.
Improper setting of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust the pump as required.
Too low idle RPM - Normalize low idle speed.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Replace fuel injectors.
Connecting rod failure or misalignment - Alignment procedure or replacement is required.
Piston wear or scoring - Replace the pistons.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Drive system won't work in one direction or either direction

Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Add fluid as required.
Drive chain is damaged - Inspect drive chain and replace faulty parts.
Faulty input drive shaft - Repair or install a new drive shaft.
Stuck relief valve - Repair or replace relief valve.
Suction line or hydraulic filter is clogged - Check, clean, or replace if required.
Worn or damaged foot or hand controls - Replace or repair.
Drive pump or motor malfunction - Repair or change faulty component.

Reduced power

Clogged hydraulic oil filter - Change or service hydraulic filter.
Worn or open relief valve - Replace or close relief valve.
Transmission parts are damaged or faulty - Check and replace faulty components.
Input drive shaft is worn - Rebuild or change the shaft.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.

Drive system overheats

Low hydraulic oil level - Need to add oil.
Hydraulic fluid filter is dirty - Change hydraulic filter.
Defective relief valve - Repair or replace.
Worn hydraulic motor or drive pump - Replace or repair faulty component.
Clogged hydraulic oil cooler - Clean the cooling fins.
Drive system is overloaded - Reduce the load.

Excessive noise

Improper oil viscosity - Drain and refill with proper oil.
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is worn - Repair or replace faulty component.
Worn or damaged mechanical parts of drive system - Inspect drive system and replace faulty components.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system is overheated

Hydraulic pressure incorrectly adjusted - Correct adjustment is required.
Misadjusted or defective main relief valve - Adjust or replace the relief valve.
Hydraulic fluid is dirty - The fluid must be changed.
Hydraulic fluid level is insufficient - Check and refill the hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic pump is faulty - Install new pump or repair it.

Boom can't lift or drop

Lift controls are defective - Check and repair as required.
Defective hydraulic pump - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Hydraulic control valve is defective - Replace or repair the valve.
Hydraulic cylinder is faulty - Change or repair lift cylinder.
Hydraulic oil level low - Need to add oil.

Bucket fails to tilt

Bucket tilt controls are defective - Check and repair as required.
Hydraulic pump failure - Repair or install new hydraulic pump.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty - Repair or replace the valve.
Hydraulic bucket cylinder is broken - Repair or install a new cylinder.
Low hydraulic fluid level - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.

Boom or bucket functions slowly

Defective hydraulic pump - Check pump flow and change pump if necessary.
Hydraulic cylinder leaking - Cylinder seals need to be replaced.
Hydraulic fluid level low - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.
Hydraulic control valve is unadjusted or worn - Adjust properly or repair.
Hydraulic pressure is low - Adjust pressure correctly.

Bucket or boom is working jerkily

Hydraulic system is leaking air - Bleed hydraulic system.
Dirty hydraulic oil filter - Service or replace the hydraulic filter.
Dirty hydraulic oil - Change hydraulic oil.
Cylinder rod or tube is scuffed - Change defective component.

Hydraulic pump is excessively noisy

Lack of oil or hydraulic leakage - Add hydraulic oil or correct system leaks.
Hydraulic filter is clogged - Service or replace hydraulic filter.
Dirty suction line - Service the suction line.
Pump is sucking air - Bleed air.
Faulty pump components - Rebuild or replace hydraulic pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery will not charge

Electrical cable connections are loose or corroded - Service or tighten cable connections.
Battery terminal connectors are defective - Install new terminal connectors.
Battery failing - Replace the battery.
Belt is defective or loose - Replace belt or adjust belt tension.

Starter cranks slowly

Battery power is low - Battery is drained, charge it.
Battery does not hold charge - Service or change the battery.
Bad terminals or disconnected battery cables - Connect cables correctly or replace terminals.

Starter is not working

Battery is low or faulty - Replace or charge as required.
Wiring is improperly connected or disconnected - Check wiring and connect properly.
Low battery output voltage - Low battery charging, charge as required.
Starter motor failing - Repair or change starter.