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Komatsu PC 210 LC-6 Problems with Power Loss

grubber

Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
16
Location
Virginia
Hello to all!

I noticed a problem about a week ago that is getting worse over time. After the machine warms up for about 3 to 5 minutes everything sounds normal. When you first start to move forward or backwards the machine sounds and moves great for about 4 to 5 feet then slows down to about half its normal speed and creeps along, it sounds like the pump is struggling to move the machine at all. If I then stop moving ,the pump seems to catch up and everything sounds normal again. The machine doesn't react well when multitasking, ie boom up and stick out or swing and boom up or anything. It give the same noise and sometimes will almost come to a complete stop. Traveling up hills produces the same effect, it will move, but very very slow.

I want to say it could be the hydraulic oil and filter needs to be replaced or the screen in the bottom of the hydraulic tank could be clogged. I don't know if it could be the fuel filters. I hope its not the pump going bad, I thought the pump either works or it doesn't work, no in between.

Looks like I'm going to have to spend some money to troubleshoot the problem. Thanks in advance for any advice. :pointhead
 

Wulf

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2006
Messages
584
Location
Canada
grubber... Does it sound as though the engine is under load or off load when the problem occurs?
 

grubber

Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
16
Location
Virginia
Yeah. It sounds like that. Its hard to say though because komatsu machines make a whinning noise normally anyway.
 

Tommjr

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2006
Messages
48
Location
Hudson, WI
How many hours?

How many hours since last MAJOR service? (I.E. major service including 1000 hr hydraulic fluid flush)

I have no Idea if this relates, however, we have a brand new T250 Bobcat that experienced the same problem.

Worked super until it reached operating temp, then puked out.

We found two pinched fuel lines, a worn through hydraulic hose and a severely plugged fuel and hydraulic filter.

Mind you that this machine has 700 hrs on it:confused:
 

grubber

Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
16
Location
Virginia
service

I purchased the machine from a dealer and they did the inspection and service before I purchase it. Had 3446 hours when I bought it and it has 3900 now. I don't know if they changed the hyd. filter or if they flushed. I guess I need to change the fluid and filter and see if that works.
 

MKTEF

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2007
Messages
1,013
Location
Norway
Occupation
Production manager
We got the same problem with one of our 210-7 that had been parked for 6 months before we got it back from Afghanistan.:eek:

The mekanics changed the fuel filter and all that before we got it back, but it worked for 2 days.
Then it just lost power, multitasking was impossible, the engine "worked" as hell, but no black smoke.:(

If u got black smoke it gets enough fuel, then u can look for problems with the hydraulics.
If u got no smoke from the engine, it dosen't get enough fuel.;)

I bet its diesel animals blokking your filter or fuel-lines.
There is additives to put into the fuel to kill the animals.:)
 

John C.

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
12,865
Location
Northwest
Occupation
Machinery & Equipment Appraiser
The usual problem is not enough fuel supply. When the engine does not get enough fuel the computer senses the drop in RPM and destrokes the pump. The result is the machine slows down but you don't hear the engine slowing down.

The fuel transfer pump has a strainer in the banjo bolt that connects that tank hose to the pump. The bolt is on the bottom of the pump and if your machine has air conditioning it is very difficult to get at and get out. Once you get the bolt out look at the end of it and you should see the white plastic with a screw driver slot in it. Unscrew the strainer from the bolt and blow it and the hollow in the bolt out with air pressure. There are two seals for the fitting and most people loose the one that goes next to the pump. You can get copper fuel line washers from the local auto parts supplier to work if you loose the originals.

If your machine does not have the hand transfer pump, then you have the inline strainer that looks just like an automotive filter. Those can be blown out with air pressure and put back in. The original strainer has a brass basket on the inside instead of paper. They can only be sourced through a dealer. Do not install an inline filter from a parts house. Automotive filters are made from cellulose and swell up when water hits them choking off the fuel supply.

You did not indicate that the monitor panel showed any fault codes of alarms so I would not think there are any electronic problems.

Good Luck!
 

Wulf

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2006
Messages
584
Location
Canada
Engine speed?

Yeah. It sounds like that. Its hard to say though because komatsu machines make a whinning noise normally anyway.

It sounds like what? Engine under load (engine speed drops, lugs down maybe close to stalling) or off-load (engine speed or sound doesn't change much). Also does it make any abnormal smoke?

Try putting the stick over relief and watching the engine speed on the monitor, it shouldn't drop below rated speed. Compare the speed attained with HFI.
 

grubber

Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
16
Location
Virginia
engines under load. Thanks for all the responses so far. What is a banjo bolt? I looked on the parts book and I didn't see anything that referenced banjo. is there another word for it?
 
Last edited:

Countryboy

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 8, 2006
Messages
3,276
Location
Georgia
Occupation
Load Out Tech. / Heavy Equipment Operator / Locomo
Welcome to HEF grubber! :drinkup
 

tylermckee

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2006
Messages
768
Location
washington
Banjo bolt and fitting. There is a small plastic strainer that fits into the end of the bolt, they can become blocked easily if you have crud in your fuel tank.

Had a 120 hitachi that i had to clean the strainer out every week or so, because of the same problems you describe. Boss told me to just toss the strainer cause i was wasting time having to clean it out so often :pointhead
 

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Wulf

Senior Member
Joined
Feb 17, 2006
Messages
584
Location
Canada
I purchased the machine from a dealer and they did the inspection and service before I purchase it. Had 3446 hours when I bought it and it has 3900 now. I don't know if they changed the hyd. filter or if they flushed. I guess I need to change the fluid and filter and see if that works.

As most have said... the most common cause of lack of performance is the fuel system and you should ensure that there are no restrictions in the tank, suction lines and from the feed pump. Also make sure that you have the right fuel cap to ensure the tank is vented.

On the hydraulic side it is best to follow Komatsu maintenance intervals for oil and tank filter replacement and use of the correct oil is very important.

If your hyd pumps have the high pressure strainers on the pump outlets (they look like small cylinders) don't overlook these. It has been known for these to become restricted - they may look OK visually but the extra fine mesh can become blocked almost like glazing, maybe from some oil additive or chemical reaction. This will restrict the pump output upsetting the operation of the load sensing system. You can run the machine for testing with them out just to eliminate them from the equation.
 

grubber

Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
16
Location
Virginia
The Problem has been neutralized

Thanks to everyone that posted. I resolved the problem this morning at about 7 oclock. I got on the machine and it would not respond to any joystick movements. I had a couple of fuel filters on hand, so I started there. Low and behold it was the dam fuel filters. I couldn't believe it, I've never seen filters cause so much of a problem. Thanks to all the post, I didn't know it was a fuel starvation problem. I guess the dealer didn't change the filters before they sold it to me, although they said they did.

Have a good one everybody.:)
 

John C.

Senior Member
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Jun 11, 2007
Messages
12,865
Location
Northwest
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Machinery & Equipment Appraiser
Hi Grubber, it's great to hear you got it going.

I just need to remind you that the fuel filters are down stream of the strainer I spoke of in the earlier post. If the fuel filters are plugged then so is that strainer.

You will probably see it on a long travel up a hill.

Good Luck!
 

grubber

Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
16
Location
Virginia
Thanks

I think your spot on bud. I did notice a slowdown this afternoon traversing a a big hill. I didn't check the strainer yesterday. I'll take a look in the morning. Thanks for all the help. Would you know where the strainer is in relation to the fuel filters? Would it be on the same side of the engine as the filters?
 

tylermckee

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2006
Messages
768
Location
washington
I dont know about komatsu, but I usually see then right on a banjo fitting that feeds into the fuel filter.
 

John C.

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
12,865
Location
Northwest
Occupation
Machinery & Equipment Appraiser
If your Komatsu has a hand priming pump underneath the fuel injection pump, the banjo bolt is on there. You will see a hose going to the bottom of the pump and the banjo bolt connects that hose to the pump.

If you don't have the hand pump then there is an inline filter back by the rear motor mount on the same side as the fuel injection pump.

Good Luck!
 

grubber

Member
Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
16
Location
Virginia
Checked it

I checked the banjo bolt on the side of the pump. It wasn't that hard to get to and I do have air conditioning on the machine. I didn't see a a strainer when I took the bolt out. The bolt wasn't clogged with anything. Any more ideas?
 

John C.

Senior Member
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
12,865
Location
Northwest
Occupation
Machinery & Equipment Appraiser
Hi Grubber,
The bolt on the side of the pump is the discharge to the filter. The one you want is on the bottom of the pump.

Good Luck!
 

Fishfiles

Active Member
Joined
Oct 28, 2007
Messages
34
Location
louisiana
Banjo Blues

Have seen that banjo screen clog up problem numerous times and have people really scrathing the heads , it's on the supply hose coming into the hand /lift pump , usually on the bottom with the hex head facing up , it's used by alot of manufactuers and a very easy fix that is often over looked , as stated if your filters were bad that screen is most probally too , and changing filters seem to make the problem go away for a while but will return if not cleaned out , also have seen clogs in the supply fitting off the bottom of the tank -----another thing to mention is when you have really dirty filters it is a good idea to drain off the bottom of the tank after the machine has set still for a long period of time , like over night , as new filters are quickly clogged up from trash in your tank
 
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