John Deere 333E Track Loader Troubleshooting

The John Deere 333E compact track loader is powered by 186.3 cu.in (3.1L) Yanmar 4TNV94CHT vertical inline four-cylinder turbocharged intercooled diesel engine with a rated power of 100 hp (74.6 kW) at 2500 rpm. The John Deere 333E is equipped with a two-speed transmission, hydraulic wet disc brakes, and rubber tracks with steel inserts. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 25 gpm (95 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3450 psi (238 bar). The track loader has a rated operating capacity of 3300 lbs (1498 kg) and tipping load of 9425 lbs (4280 kg). The boom lifting force is 6600 lbs (2995 kg), and bucket breakout force is 13875 lbs (6300 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts up hard or won't start

Air trapped in fuel system - Bleed air.
Fuel filter element is dirty - Change the filter element.
Defective or clogged injection nozzle - Install a new kit of correctly balanced nozzles.
Water or dirt in fuel system - Drain, flush, and service the system.
Incorrect valve clearance - Correct valve clearance needs to be set.
Fuel injection pump failure - Repair or install a new fuel pump.

Engine starts but stops suddenly

Clogged air filter - Replace or clean air filter element.
Fuel filter plugging - Change filter element.
Fuel injection pump is leaking - Repair any leaks.
Clogged or defective injectors - Test and replace fuel injectors if necessary.
Defective fuel injection pump - Rebuild or install a new injection pump.

Engine stalls after running

Engine is not fully warmed up - Normalize the temperature by warming up the engine.
Fuel filter is plugged - Change filter element.
There is air in the fuel system - Bleed the system.
Dirty or damaged injection nozzles - Clean or change injection nozzles.
Improper setting of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust according to specifications.

Engine shuts off while idling

Incorrect low idle setting - Correct the settings.
Defective fuel injection pump - Repair or replace injection pump.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Replace or clean fuel injectors.
Valve clearance is wrong - Have it adjusted.

Engine power loss

Air cleaner is dirty - Service or replace air cleaner.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Incorrect fuel injection pressure - Check the fuel injection pressure and adjust if necessary.
Valve clearance is wrong - Adjust to proper valve clearance.
Low idle speed setting is not correct - Correct low idle adjustment.
Clogged fuel hoses or lines - Service fuel hoses and lines.
Cylinder head gasket defective - Install new cylinder head gasket.
Worn or broken piston rings - Piston rings replacement required.

Engine overheats

Insufficient coolant fluid - Top up coolant fluid and check system for leaks.
Engine oil insufficient - Checking oil level and add if necessary.
Dirty radiator fins or faulty radiator cap - Change cap or clean radiator.
Loose or defective fan belt - Belt replacement is recommended.
Diesel engine is overloaded - Reduce engine load.

Oil pressure is low

Not enough oil in the engine - Add oil as required.
Engine oil filter is plugged - Change or service engine oil filter.
Different type of engine oil - Use proper viscosity oil.
Crankshaft bearing oil clearance is incorrect - Replace bearings.
Oil pump malfunction - Check and replace if necessary.

Engine noise or knocking

Engine oil insufficient - Fill up the oil to required level.
Engine has not warmed up to the recommended temperature - Warm up engine as required.
Fuel injection pump timing is wrong - Check the fuel injection pump timing adjustment.
Incorrectly set low idle speed - Adjustment required.
Fuel injector fault - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Connecting rod is misaligned or defective - Need to align or replace the connecting rod.
Worn or scored pistons - Pistons need to be replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Machine is not moving in one direction or either direction

Hydraulic oil level is low - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.
Blocked or defective track mechanism - Repair or remedy blockage.
Relief valve is stuck - Relief valve need to be replaced or repair.
Hydraulic filter or suction line is plugged - Check, clean, or replace if required.
Defective hand or foot controls - Repair or change.
Drive motor or pump is worn - Change or repair faulty component.

Machine won't move straight or moves jerky

Jammed or damaged undercarriage tracks - Remove jamming or repair tracks.
Tracks are faulty or sagging - Repair tracks or correct track sag with tension.
Debris, dirt, or foreign objects stuck in track frame - Clean track frame, remove debris and foreign objects.

Reduced power

Plugged hydraulic oil filter - Replace or service hydraulic filter.
Defective or open relief valve - Replace or close relief valve.
Faulty or damaged transmission components - Check and change defective components.
Input drive shaft failure - Rebuild or change the shaft.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Need to bleed air.

Overheated drive system

Insufficient hydraulic oil - Check and refill the hydraulic oil.
Hydraulic fluid filter is dirty - Change or clean hydraulic filter.
Worn or defective relief valve - Service or change relief valve.
Damaged drive pump or hydraulic motor - Repair or change faulty component.
Clogged hydraulic oil cooler - Clean the cooling fins.
Transmission overloading - Reduce the load.

Drive system is noisy

Oil viscosity is wrong - Use oil of correct viscosity.
Air in hydraulic system - Bleed air from hydraulic system.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump failure - Inspect and change as required.
Worn or defective mechanical components of drive system - Inspect drive system and replace faulty parts.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system is overheated

Hydraulic pressure is incorrect - Hydraulic pressure must be set correctly.
Main relief valve is faulty or misadjusted - Replace or set up the relief valve.
Hydraulic oil is contaminated - Fill up with fresh hydraulic oil.
Lack of hydraulic oil - Fill up the hydraulic oil.
Worn hydraulic oil pump - Install new pump or repair it.

Lift arm won't raise or lower

Faulty lift controls - Check and repair as required.
Hydraulic pump failure - Install new pump or repair it.
Damaged hydraulic control valve - Repair or change the valve.
Broken hydraulic cylinder - Change or repair lift cylinder.
Low hydraulic oil level - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.

Bucket can't tilt

Damaged bucket controls - Repair or replace.
Hydraulic pump malfunction - Install new pump or repair it.
Defective hydraulic control valve - Repair or replace hydraulic valve.
Bucket cylinder is faulty - Repair or install a new cylinder.
Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Fill the system to proper hydraulic oil level.

Bucket or lift arm runs slowly

Worn hydraulic oil pump - Check hydraulic pump flow and replace pump if necessary.
Hydraulic cylinder leaking - Repair leak by replacing the seals.
Hydraulic oil is insufficient - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.
Faulty or incorrect setting hydraulic control valve - Set properly or repair.
Hydraulic pressure loss - Correct adjustment is required.

Bucket or boom is moving jerkily

Air in the hydraulic system - Air bleeding is required.
Hydraulic oil filter is dirty - Change or clean oil filter.
Contaminated hydraulic fluid - Fill up with fresh hydraulic fluid.
Cylinder rod or tube is scuffed - Replace damaged component.

Hydraulic pump is excessively noisy

Hydraulic leakage or lack of oil - Add hydraulic oil or correct system leaks.
Dirty hydraulic filter - Service or replace hydraulic filter.
Suction line clogging - Suction line must be serviced.
Air enters the pump - Remove air from hydraulics.
Worn pump components - Rebuild or install new pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery won’t charge

Loose or corroded cable connections - Tighten or service cable connections.
Faulty battery terminal clamps - Terminal clamps should be changed.
Worn-out battery - Battery replacement required.
Damaged or loose belt - Adjust belt tension or change the belt.

Starter cranks slow

Battery voltage is low - Battery needs to be recharged.
Battery is not holding charge - Service or change the battery.
Terminals are faulty or battery cables are disconnected - Check cables and clean or change terminals.

Starter will not work

Battery is low or faulty - Need to charge or replace the battery.
Battery cables are disconnected or incorrectly connected - Check cables and connect as needed.
Low battery output - Low battery charging, charge as required.
Faulty starter motor - Starter needs to be changed.