New Holland L185 Skid Steer Troubleshooting

The New Holland L185 skid steer loader is powered by 195 cu.in (3.2L) FPT F5C E5454 four-cycle four-cylinder turbocharged liquid-cooled diesel engine with a rated power of 77 hp (57 kW) at 2500 rpm. The New Holland L185 is equipped with a single-speed or two-speed transmission, 100 HD roller chains, and 12x16.5 standard tires. The hydraulic system has a pump with fluid flow rate of 21 gpm (79.6 lpm). The hydraulic pressure is 3050 psi (210 bar). The skid steer loader has a rated operating capacity of 2500 lbs (1135 kg) and tipping load of 5000 lbs (2268 kg). The lift height is 126.8 inches (3220 mm) to hinge pin, and dump height is 101.2 inches (2570 mm).

Engine Troubleshooting

Engine starts hard or won't start

Air in the fuel lines - Bleed the fuel lines.
Fuel filter element clogging - Clean or replace the filter.
Burnt or defective injection nozzle - Change fuel injection nozzles.
Dirt or water in fuel system - Drain water or flush dirt from the system.
Valve out of adjustment - Check and adjust as required.
Fuel injection pump malfunction - Repair or install new pump.

Diesel starts but immediately shuts off

Plugged air cleaner - Clean or change cleaner.
Fuel filter plugged - Clean or replace the filter.
Fuel injection pump is leaking - Repair any leaks.
Dirty or defective injectors - Clean or replace fuel injectors.
Fuel injection pump is faulty - Rebuild or install a new injection pump.

Engine stops running suddenly

Engine is not fully warmed up - Warm up engine as required.
Fuel filter is plugged - Change filter element.
Air in fuel tank - Bleed fuel tank.
Clogged or burnt injection nozzle - Change fuel injection nozzles.
Improper fuel injection timing - Set it up as required.

Engine stalls when idling

Low idle speed adjustment is incorrect - Need to adjust idle speed.
Fuel injection pump damage - Repair or install new pump.
Fuel injector fault - Replace fuel injectors.
The valve clearance is incorrect - Adjustment procedure required.

Low engine power

Clogged air filter - Clean or replace element.
Dirty or damaged injection nozzles - If necessary, replace with a new nozzle.
Improper fuel injection pressure - Correct the pressure settings.
The valve clearance is not adjusted - Adjust valve clearance.
Incorrect low idle setting - Need to adjust idle speed.
Dirt in the fuel lines or hoses - Clean fuel system hoses and lines.
Cylinder head gasket is damaged - Replace the gasket as required.
Piston rings are damaged or leaking - Piston rings replacement required.

Engine overheating

Lack of engine coolant - Top up coolant fluid and check system for leaks.
Not enough engine oil - Need to add engine oil.
Faulty radiator cap or dirty radiator fins - Clean radiator or install new cap.
Fan belt is loose or defective - Change the fan belt.
Engine is under excessive load - Reduce engine load.

Oil pressure is low

Oil level is low - Fill crankcase to proper oil level.
Oil filter is dirty - Change or clean engine oil filter element.
Wrong oil viscosity - Use proper viscosity oil.
Incorrect oil clearance in main bearing - Change bearings.
Worn oil pump - Replace as required.

Engine noise or knocking

Lack of engine oil - Checking oil level and add if necessary.
Engine is not preheated - Warm up engine as required.
Fuel injection pump timing is wrong - Adjust according to specifications.
Improperly adjusted low idle speed - Correct the settings.
Fuel injectors are faulty or clogged - Clean or replace fuel injectors.
Connecting rod is misaligned or worn - Replace or align connecting rod.
Pistons are scored or worn - Have pistons replaced.

Drive System Troubleshooting

Machine is not moving in one direction or either direction

Low hydraulic fluid level - Check and refill the hydraulic fluid.
Drive chain fault - Inspect drive chain and replace defective components.
Input drive shaft is worn - Replace or service the drive shaft.
Stuck relief valve - Repair or replace relief valve.
Hydraulic filter or suction line is dirty - Service suction line or replace hydraulic filter.
Damaged or worn hand or foot controls - Repair or change.
Worn drive motor or pump - Replace or repair faulty component.

Loss of power

Hydraulic oil filter is clogged - Change hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is opened or defective - Replace or close relief valve.
Transmission parts are faulty or damaged - Check and replace faulty components.
Input drive shaft is worn - Repair or install a new drive shaft.
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed air from system.

Drive system overheating

Hydraulic fluid level low - Check and refill the hydraulic fluid.
Dirty hydraulic fluid filter - Replace hydraulic filter.
Relief valve is damaged or worn - Repair or change.
Damaged drive pump or hydraulic motor - Inspect and replace as necessary.
Plugged hydraulic oil cooler - Cooling fins need to be cleaned.
Overloaded drive system - Load needs to be reduced.

Drive system is excessively noisy

Oil viscosity is too heavy - Use oil of proper viscosity.
Air trapped in hydraulic system - Bleed hydraulic system.
Hydraulic motor or drive pump is defective - Replace or repair faulty component.
Mechanical components of drive system are worn - Inspect the components and repair as needed.

Hydraulics Troubleshooting

Hydraulic system has overheating

Incorrect hydraulic pressure setting - Set pressure correctly.
Main relief valve malfunction or improper adjustment - Adjust the valve or replace if necessary.
Hydraulic fluid contamination - Fill up with fresh hydraulic fluid.
Hydraulic fluid level is insufficient - Fill the hydraulic system with oil.
Hydraulic pump is defective - Change or repair hydraulic pump if required.

Boom can't lift or drop

Lift controls failure - Check and repair as required.
Damaged hydraulic oil pump - Install new pump or repair it.
Defective hydraulic control valve - Install a new valve or repair it.
Hydraulic cylinder is defective - Install a new boom cylinder or repair it.
Low hydraulic fluid level - Add fluid as required.

Bucket is not working

Bucket tilt controls are defective - Repair or change.
Defective hydraulic pump - Replace or repair pump if necessary.
Damaged hydraulic control valve - Replace or repair the valve.
Damaged bucket cylinder - Repair or replace cylinder.
Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Fill the system to proper hydraulic fluid level.

Slow bucket or lift arm operation

Hydraulic pump is defective - Test pump performance and replace pump if necessary.
Hydraulic cylinder leaking - Repair leak by replacing the seals.
Hydraulic fluid is insufficient - Add fluid as required.
Damaged or incorrect adjusted hydraulic control valve - Repair or set properly.
Hydraulic pressure loss - Adjust pressure correctly.

Lift arm or bucket is jerky

Hydraulic system is leaking air - Need to bleed air.
Hydraulic oil filter element is clogged - Clean or change the filter.
Hydraulic oil contamination - Fill up with fresh hydraulic oil.
Cylinder rod or tube is scuffed - Change worn component.

Hydraulic pump makes excessive noise

Lack of oil or hydraulic leakage - Top up hydraulic oil or remedy leakage in system.
Clogged hydraulic filter - Clean or replace the filter.
Plugged suction line - Need to clean the suction line.
Air enters the pump - Remove air from hydraulics.
Worn pump parts - Replace or rebuild the pump.

Electrical Troubleshooting

Battery won’t charge

Electrical cable connections are loose or corroded - Tighten or clean electrical wiring connections.
Faulty battery terminal connectors - Terminal connectors should be replaced.
Battery faulty cell - Use a new battery.
Loose or worn belt - Belt needs to be adjusted or changed.

Starter turning slow

Low battery power - Recharge the battery.
Battery won’t hold charge - Service charging system or install new battery.
Disconnected wires or corroded battery terminals - Check wiring connections and replace or clean terminals.

Starter motor is not working

Battery is low or faulty - Change or recharge battery.
Wire harness is disconnected or incorrectly connected - Check wire harness and connect as required.
Battery capacity is low - Charge the battery.
Starter motor is defective - Starter needs to be replaced.