Jcb 3cx low drive power on road .

W

woodyapex

New member
I’ve a 2013 Jcb 3cx .
I’ve 2 problems with it .
The first is when I start it up I’ve no hydraulics at all . I seem to have found an hack and if I pull both front bucket leavers back as I start it they seem to then work .

Ideas please .

Second problem is .

When I drive it a distance I’ve no power whatsoever on hills . Any incline whatsoever I just lose power to a crawl . Gearing down from 4th to third does not help at all . With steeps hills I’m down to just over walking / slow running pace.
Is this normal ( I can’t imagine it is ) .
Down hills seems to be normal speed .

I can also smell a slight burning . I’m not sure what that could be .
But something is not right .
Help please .
Woody
 
Bri963

Bri963

Well-known member
I’ve a 2013 Jcb 3cx .
I’ve 2 problems with it .
The first is when I start it up I’ve no hydraulics at all . I seem to have found an hack and if I pull both front bucket leavers back as I start it they seem to then work .

Ideas please .

Second problem is .

When I drive it a distance I’ve no power whatsoever on hills . Any incline whatsoever I just lose power to a crawl . Gearing down from 4th to third does not help at all . With steeps hills I’m down to just over walking / slow running pace.
Is this normal ( I can’t imagine it is ) .
Down hills seems to be normal speed .

I can also smell a slight burning . I’m not sure what that could be .
But something is not right .
Help please .
Woody
Tried releasing the handbrake?
 
W

woodyapex

New member
Tried releasing the handbrake?
Funnily enough . On the way home yesterday with the hand brake off I did wonder and gave it quite a few twists to see if it was sticking on and it’s defo not !
 
Bri963

Bri963

Well-known member
Transmission and hydraulic oil levels okay? Due a service? Engine revving to full speed or backing off? Any smoke from exhaust? Tried lifting it on the jacklegs to see whether the service brakes are dragging? Fuel filters, air filter,? Start simple and work up from there.
 
C

charlie2

Well-known member
Are engine rev dropping or mostly staying up pull transmission dipstick and smell the oil does it smell burnt, the shuttle drive packs could have been slipping and overheated/ burnt, I don't really get that pulling front loader controls gets hydraulics working unless it's a easy control and an issue with deadman or front to rear mode/switch has problems. Going back to low power have you checked diesel flow to pump is good there could be an issue with electric transfer/ supply pump that's quite common. I think with right kit they can be read and fault codes if any show up.
 
W

woodyapex

New member
I had a “service” by the local service centre . I’d not trust the guy to service my sons toy Landrover . When I look at the revs they are right up at the max but still not pulling . If it was a car it’s like the clutch Is slipping .
The hydraulics is some kind of valve sticking internally ( I’ve realiably being told ) but not sure which valve though . Pulling the front sticks seem to shut the valve and make it work .
I’ve changed the diesel lift pump ?
Could the turbo be shot ?
 
C

charlie2

Well-known member
I had a “service” by the local service centre . I’d not trust the guy to service my sons toy Landrover . When I look at the revs they are right up at the max but still not pulling . If it was a car it’s like the clutch Is slipping .
The hydraulics is some kind of valve sticking internally ( I’ve realiably being told ) but not sure which valve though . Pulling the front sticks seem to shut the valve and make it work .
I’ve changed the diesel lift pump ?
Could the turbo be shot ?
I would say transmission is bad if the revs are staying up with a good torque converter and shuttle it should be ok drive power wise a non turbo will be less powerfull and sluggish on hills, think you need transmission pressures checked if oil on transmission smells strongly of a burnt oil or is very dark that's good sign it's in need of attention it may be main relief valve sticking but I have never come across that. Is it pilot control hydraulics or old style stick controls. If it's like clutch slipping that's more or less what is happening but the two drive packs forward or and reverse have been overheated and burnt out not unknown for the drive plates to break up they are in effect a multi plate wet clutch the oil pressure is what makes them work.
 
V8Druid

V8Druid

do it as well as you can,but learn to do it better
I had a “service” by the local service centre . I’d not trust the guy to service my sons toy Landrover . When I look at the revs they are right up at the max but still not pulling . If it was a car it’s like the clutch Is slipping .
The hydraulics is some kind of valve sticking internally ( I’ve realiably being told ) but not sure which valve though . Pulling the front sticks seem to shut the valve and make it work .
I’ve changed the diesel lift pump ?
Could the turbo be shot ?
so revving and going no where ... tranny issue ?
 
W

woodyapex

New member
I would say transmission is bad if the revs are staying up with a good torque converter and shuttle it should be ok drive power wise a non turbo will be less powerfull and sluggish on hills, think you need transmission pressures checked if oil on transmission smells strongly of a burnt oil or is very dark that's good sign it's in need of attention it may be main relief valve sticking but I have never come across that. Is it pilot control hydraulics or old style stick controls. If it's like clutch slipping that's more or less what is happening but the two drive packs forward or and reverse have been overheated and burnt out not unknown for the drive plates to break up they are in effect a multi plate wet clutch the oil pressure is what makes them work.
Ok I’ve cut and paste that as too much to take in lol .
I’ll have a look at the transmission oil . But I think most of what you have said is above my pay grade .
 
V8Druid

V8Druid

do it as well as you can,but learn to do it better
Ok I’ve cut and paste that as too much to take in lol .
I’ll have a look at the transmission oil . But I think most of what you have said is above my pay grade .
PM-ed yer
 
D

DaveDCB

Well-known member
What kind of distance are you talking about driving here?

I’ve boiled the transmission fluid once but that was after 4 hours of flat out roading, symptoms were what you list, I had transmission fluid bubbling out of the dipstick! Let it cool for 30 mins then had a steady rest of the drive home!
 
Top