New Holland L160 Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The New Holland L160 skid steer loader driveline system components: a 121.7 cubic inches (2L) Shibaura N844 four-cylinder indirect injection naturally aspirated diesel engine with a rated power of 46 hp (34 kW), and one-speed hydrostatic transmission. The hydraulic system has a pump with a rated capacity of 15.1 gal/min (57.2 l/min). The system relief pressure is 2500 psi (172 bar). The New Holland L160 is equipped with 80 HD roller chains and 10x16.5 tires. The skid steer loader has a lift height of 118" (2995 mm) to hinge pin and dump height of 93.3" (2370 mm). The rated operating capacity is 1600 lbs (726 kg), and tipping load is 3200 lbs (1450 kg).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine difficult to start or will not start

There is air in the fuel system - Bleed the system.
Fuel filter plugging - Install new filter element.
Fuel injection nozzles are damaged or dirty - Check and replace nozzles if required.
Water or dirt in fuel system - Drain, flush, and service the system.
Valve clearance is wrong - Correct valve clearance.
Defective fuel injection pump - Repair or install new pump.

Engine starts but stalls suddenly

Dirty air cleaner - Clean or change.
Dirty fuel filter - Clean or change the filter.
Problems with fuel injection pump tightness - Inspect fuel injection pump for leaks.
Damaged or clogged injectors - Clean fuel injectors or change it.
Fuel injection pump failure - Repair or change injection pump.

Engine stops unexpectedly during operation

Coolant temperature is low - Normalize the temperature by warming up the engine.
Fuel filter element clogging - Change the filter element.
Air in the fuel lines - Bleed the fuel lines.
Fuel injection nozzles are clogged or faulty - Change fuel injection nozzles.
Incorrect adjustment of fuel injection pump timing - Adjust the pump as required.

Engine stops when idle

Wrong adjustment of low idle speed - Test and adjust.
Fuel injection pump malfunctioning - Change or repair the pump.
Dirty or defective injectors - Clean fuel injectors or change it.
Valve clearance is wrong - Correct valve clearance needs to be set.

Engine power loss

Plugged air cleaner - Clean or change.
Fuel injection nozzles are faulty or clogged - Replace injection nozzles.
Incorrect fuel injection pressure - Adjust to proper pressure.
Valve clearance is not correct - Correct valve clearance.
Incorrect low idle setting - Correct the settings.
Fuel hoses or lines are dirty - Clean fuel system lines and hoses.
Defective cylinder head gasket - Replace cylinder head gasket.
Leaking or defective piston rings - Change piston rings.

Engine overheated

Low coolant level - Add coolant fluid to cooling system and also check it for leaks.
Engine oil insufficient - Fill the crankcase with engine oil.
Clogged radiator fins or damaged radiator cap - Clean radiator or replace cap.
Fan belt is broken or worn - Replace as required.
Engine is under excessive load - Reduce load on the engine.

Low oil pressure

Oil level is low - Need to add oil.
Clogged oil filter - Service or replace engine oil filter.
Wrong oil viscosity - Fill up with the correct oil viscosity.
Incorrect oil clearance in main bearing - Replace bearings.
Worn oil pump - Inspect and change as required.

Engine noise or knocking

Engine oil insufficient - Fill up the engine oil.
Engine is not warmed up to the required temperature - Normalize the engine temperature.
Timing of fuel injection pump is incorrect - Check the fuel injection pump timing adjustment.
Low idle speed set incorrectly - Adjust as required.
Defective fuel injectors - Change or clean fuel injectors.
Connecting rod is worn or not aligned - Alignment procedure or replacement is required.
Scored or worn pistons - Pistons need to be replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Machine does not move forward or backward

Hydraulic fluid level low - Checking hydraulic fluid level and add if necessary.
Drive chain is damaged - Inspect drive chain and replace faulty parts.
Input drive shaft failure - Repair or replace drive shaft.
Defective or worn relief valve - Repair or change.
Dirty hydraulic filter or suction line - Change hydraulic filter or service suction line.
Defective or worn foot or hand controls - Check and repair as required.
Damaged drive pump or motor - Change or repair faulty component.

Low power

Hydraulic oil filter is dirty - Check, clean, or replace as required.
Relief valve is damaged or open - Change or close relief valve.
Transmission components are defective or worn - Inspect and change defective parts.
Input drive shaft is defective - Faulty drive shaft need to be replaced or repair.
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Need to bleed air.

Drive system keeps overheating

Hydraulic oil level is low - Need to add oil.
Clogged hydraulic fluid filter - Change or service hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is stuck - Repair or replace relief valve.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is worn - Inspect and replace as necessary.
Hydraulic oil cooler is plugged - Clean cooling fins as required.
Drive system overload - Reduce loading.

Drive system is excessively noisy

Incorrect oil viscosity - Use the specified type of oil.
Air leaks in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Drive pump or hydraulic motor malfunction - Change or repair faulty component.
Mechanical components of drive system are defective or worn - Check the parts and change if required.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system overheating

Hydraulic pressure incorrectly adjusted - Hydraulic pressure must be set correctly.
Main relief valve is faulty or misadjusted - Adjust relief valve or change if required.
Hydraulic fluid is contaminated - Hydraulic fluid change required.
Not enough hydraulic fluid in the system - Check and refill the hydraulic fluid.
Worn hydraulic oil pump - Repair or change pump if required.

Lift arm won't raise or lower

Lift controls are damaged - Inspect and repair if necessary.
Hydraulic pump is broken - Install new pump or repair it.
Faulty hydraulic control valve - Repair or change hydraulic valve.
Broken hydraulic cylinder - Repair or replace hydraulic cylinder.
Insufficient hydraulic fluid - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.

Bucket does not function

Bucket tilt controls malfunction - Check and repair as required.
Damaged hydraulic oil pump - Repair or change pump if required.
Hydraulic control valve is defective - Repair or change the valve.
Broken bucket cylinder - Repair or change cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid level low - Fill up the hydraulic fluid.

Bucket or lift arm runs slowly

Hydraulic pump is worn - Test the pump flow rate and change pump if required.
Leaking hydraulic cylinder - Change cylinder piston seals.
Hydraulic oil level low - Checking hydraulic oil level and add if necessary.
Hydraulic control valve is faulty or out of adjustment - Repair or adjust properly.
Hydraulic system loosing pressure - Adjust pressure as required.

Lift arm or bucket movements are jerky

Hydraulic system is leaking air - Bleed air from hydraulic system.
Dirty hydraulic oil filter element - Clean or change the filter.
Dirty hydraulic oil - Hydraulic oil change required.
Cylinder rod or tube is scuffed - Replace defective component.

Hydraulic pump makes excessive noise

Hydraulic leaks or lack of oil - Remedy hydraulic leakage or refill oil as necessary.
Dirty hydraulic filter - Replace or clean the filter.
Plugged suction line - Service the suction line.
Pump sucks air - Remove air from hydraulics.
Pump components are faulty - Install new hydraulic pump or rebuild it.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery cannot be charged

Electrical wire connections are loose or corroded - Tighten or clean connections.
Battery terminal clamps are faulty - Replace terminal clamps.
Dead cell in battery - Battery change required.
Belt is damaged or loose - Adjust belt tension or replace belt.

Starter turns slow

Low battery voltage - Low battery charging, charge as required.
Battery runs out quickly - Service or replace the battery.
Wires are disconnected or battery terminals are corroded - Connect wiring properly or install new terminals.

Starter does not work

Battery is discharged or worn - Battery needs to be recharged or replaced.
Wiring is incorrectly connected or disconnected - Inspect wiring and connect correctly.
Low battery output - Recharge the battery.
Starter motor is damaged - Replace or repair starter.