JCB 3CX Losing power on small hill - gutless

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rgdrumming
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JCB 3CX Losing power on small hill - gutless

Post #1 by rgdrumming » Tue Feb 05, 2019 12:39 pm

Hi

My family are looking at purchasing a JCB 3CX from a colleague who has owned it for around 15 years. Its not in the best condition as the JCB has been left in a field for a few years with very little use but a maintenance man says he has recently tried to get it running better by changing the lift pump and the fuel and oil filters.

We managed to get the machine running, moving and revving, however, it feels gutless and when even driving up small inclines, it struggles. It also does not rev really high when the foot is pull pressed on throttle.

Currently, where the Turbo elbow joins on to the exhaust it has cracked apart so we intend on getting a new part for this but we cannot perceive this to be the main cause.

I have heard that we need to look at checking the sediment filters, lift pump filter and others. Does anyone have any advice on where to find these filters and also how to make sure there's no air trapped in the system etc as I have also heard that there can be air locks.

Any help is massively appreciated.




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FOWLER MAN
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Re: JCB 3CX Losing power on small hill - gutless

Post #2 by FOWLER MAN » Tue Feb 05, 2019 10:32 pm

Hi Rich,

You say that someone has already changed the filters so a good place to start is with the lift pump strainer which you will find behind the inlet connection to the lift pump.
Next I would check the strainer at the injector pump inlet. To do this remove the fuel feed pipe from the pump. Then take out the fitting that the pipe is screwed onto. That takes a larger spanner size, (15/16 AF or 24 mm will fit). Under the fitting you will find a spring and a small nylon filter. Carefully take the spring out and withdraw the filter,clean the filter and replace as found. Give that a try and let us know how you get on.

Fred


diggerjones
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Re: JCB 3CX Losing power on small hill - gutless

Post #3 by diggerjones » Sat Feb 09, 2019 10:34 am

Like Fred says. Would bet money on it being fuel. That's a tidy machine


tomballs
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Re: JCB 3CX Losing power on small hill - gutless

Post #4 by tomballs » Sat May 25, 2019 1:12 am

Is there a lot of black smoke? Mine had a problem with the air intake pipe. It was weak and put a coil spring inside .

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BillyBobGeoff
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Re: JCB 3CX Losing power on small hill - gutless

Post #5 by BillyBobGeoff » Sun Dec 19, 2021 10:25 pm

Hi Rich

Did you ever solve this? My new to me one just like yours (except non turbo) revs, but really feels like it’s not transferring power to the wheels. I’ll check the recommendations on this posts.

Many thanks
Jim.
JCB 3CX Sitemaster 1990


essexpete
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Re: JCB 3CX Losing power on small hill - gutless

Post #6 by essexpete » Mon Dec 20, 2021 12:35 am

To help the experts (not me I might add) can you clarify whether the engine is pulling and reving but the transmission seems to lack or if the engine is labouring or not pulling? As has been mentioned before on the back hoe threads, don't expect a non turbo to be too lively especially in a high gear.


diggerjones
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Re: JCB 3CX Losing power on small hill - gutless

Post #7 by diggerjones » Fri Dec 24, 2021 10:04 pm

Like essexpete says. 1st gear pushing into pile of stone should spin the wheels.


orange maxus
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Re: JCB 3CX Losing power on small hill - gutless

Post #8 by orange maxus » Mon Feb 21, 2022 11:02 pm

Does your hydraulic oil breather cap still breathe? Try it loosely fitted.


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