At the start of the article let’s check out what are the symptoms of your Allis Chalmers 160 tractors when they are having some serious problems:
- The engine doesn’t start
- The engine becomes very slow
- Fuel starts to leak
- Makes clinking noises
- Vibration runs through the whole skid steer
- The loader can lift the weight but it won’t come down
- The engine overheats
- The engine frequently stops in the middle of the operation
At a glance, these issues might seem very difficult to deal with but if you look deeply into the things you will be able to fix them without a stretch and save yourself a lot of bucks.
In this article, I am going to cover all of these sections with their smooth and simple solutions so that you can work out most of the issues on your own.
What’s Wrong With My Allis Chalmers 160 And Solutions
1. Problem with the Discharge Pump
One of the common problems of this tractor is its hydraulics doesn’t work until the plug is taken out of the pump discharge. Again if the hoses aren’t fitted perfectly the pressure will not be enough to run your track loader.
Moreover, it takes time to pick up oil.
Solution:
In this case, make sure you clean the screen on the suction side that is located in the square box over the transmission.
Make sure to check if the clamps on the rubber hose are loosely connected because the hydraulic system of this tractor won’t work properly without a tight connection.
Make sure you replace the clamps with some better-quality ones.
2. Leakage in the Suction Pump
If there is a leak in the suction line then your engine can lose its prime all the time. Sometimes when the shaft seal on the pump goes bad the same problem occurs and the engine starts having difficulty starting.
Solution:
To solve this problem you can use a manual valve on the side of the high pressure in the pump to help divert both the air and oil back into the tank.
However, while you get yourself a manual valve then make sure to follow the sufficient pressure rating. Because otherwise, the valve will malfunction if it is subjected to too much pressure.
3. Front End Loader Valve Is Stuck
The valves will be stuck if any spring inside them is broken or is stuck. Again the same thing will happen if there is a build-up of dirty particles in the system. If this happens, the control lever will not move easily.
Solution:
In this case, you have to stop the engine and depressurize the hydraulic system by wiggling the levers back and forth and then up and down to make sure that no pressure is held up inside the system.
Then open the cap and detach the link that’s on the top. Now, pull out the components and repair or you can replace the whole item if there is any spring broken.
Then clean it gently and remove all the dirt from the components because dirt can create blockage in the valve.
And then assemble everything back. But if there is something wrong with the valve then you have to replace the whole valve instead of doing these minor adjustments with springs.
4. The Hydraulic Pump is Damaged
Usually, when your allis Chalmers 160 has been hanging around for a long time the hydraulic pumps will start to deteriorate gradually. And the engine will start to perform very slowly.
In this case, your track loader will not lift things anymore. Moreover, if you don’t solve the problem soon the engine of your tractor will start to deteriorate gradually.
One of the major issues with Allis Chalmers 160 is its galvanized fittings in the hydraulic system.
You see, the galvanized fittings get contaminated very easily and corrode with time. This causes rust and flaking of the fittings.
Solution:
When the hydraulic pumps have gone bad they won’t be producing any pressure at all. But before taking any steps you need to make sure that’s the exact case.
To verify you can use a manual pressure gauge on the hydraulic system to see about the pressure situation on your tractor.
If the pump is shot you have to change it and get a new one. (our pick) However, before that make sure you check the serial number of your AC 160 that’s located on the plate in front of the fuel tank on the right side.
Since the problem seems to be with lifting, you have to change the speed of your lift too based on how much weight you are putting on it.
The lift adjustment is located under the seat and by doing this you will be able to prevent the loader from dropping too quickly as well as adjusting the depth of operation.
To be on the safe side, you can also change the hydraulic pump filter from time to time because it will prevent the fluid from being polluted and keep the engine secure.
In addition, you can also change the old fluid while replacing the pump so that any previous contamination stays away from your newly installed pump.
5. Bad Injector Pump
If the injector pump has gone bad or weak then the fuel pressure will not be enough. In addition, the fuel will not burn and reach the engine as well. As a result, your tractor will not start properly.
Solution:
In this case, you have to take out the injectors and get them checked and if necessary replace all four of the injectors with the correct specifications in a nearby mechanic shop.
Also, you can take out the fuel pump and make sure there are no valves stuck.
Meanwhile, clean the fuel filters and make sure the filters are perfectly functioning. Otherwise, your ac 160 still won’t start and will be losing prime.
6. Fuel Tank Damage
Sometimes fuel tanks can be worn out or get physically damaged and result in fuel leakage. It’s not even advisable to run your engine with a damaged tank that is leaking fuel and making puddles on the ground.
Moreover, it will deteriorate the whole performance of your track loader if not repaired in time.
Solution:
First, you have to find the source of the leak and get it to stop for a temporary period. Then drain out the tank and clean the surface area of the leakage. Make sure you let the engine completely cool down before cleaning it.
Epoxy putty is a good way to cover the leaking area and this will last long enough. However, if you want to repair the leak more strongly, you can weld the place.
After the epoxy putty has dried up or the welded place has cooled down fill the fuel tank up to the level.
7. Faulty Solenoid
When the solenoid has gone bad the engine shuts down frequently and the engine will not shift gears easily.
This issue needs to be addressed as quickly as possible otherwise it will damage your track loader and end up costing you a lot.
Solution:
At the beginning check if the connection wires from the solenoids are properly placed. Also, check for any faulty connection lines.
Because sometimes the solenoid is perfectly fine but cannot function properly because of a loose connection.
Repair the cables or wires first and if still the solenoid isn’t performing you have to check the voltage with a multimeter. If you get a reading below 12 volts you have to get a new set of solenoids for your allis Chalmers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Horsepower Is A 160 Allis-Chalmers?
Allis Chalmers 160 engine has a horsepower of 40 hp 29.8k and the drawbar ( tested) has a horsepower of 36.71 hp 27.4 kW
How Much Does Allis Chalmers 160 Weigh?
An Allis Chalmers tractor weighs about 4173 pounds ( 1893 kg).
How Can I Tell What Model Allis-Chalmers I have?
All the Allis Chalmers tractors have a serial number that includes letters on a black label just above their company name. This is the information on the model number of the tractor.
Conclusion
Your AC 160 tractor can face many problems as it’s one of the oldest and yet heavy-duty engines of this time.
If you don’t give these issues much attention, they can later become more serious and cause total damage to the engine.
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