Truck Parts and Service | Heavy Duty Trucking, Aftermarket, Service Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/749298
22 Service Bay manager at Shell Lubricants. That number may appear plenty safe from a distance, but Granger says freeze pro- tection levels can change over time for coolants depending on their environment and duty cycle. Freeze protection levels should be checked reg- ularly to ensure they have not changed due to the addition of water or loss of water over time. Which makes a coolant freeze protection test with a refractometer a must for any winterization inspection. John Myers, heavy- duty business development manager at Prestone Com- mand, says a visual cooling system inspection also should complement a coolant perfor- mance test. "Look for debris, rust coloration to the antifreeze/ coolant and low levels. Check hoses, clamps and belts. Make sure the cooling system fan is operating properly, the temperature gauge is properly working and remember, check your heater operation before you take off for that long haul," says Meyers, adding "Check often. There is no harm in inspecting the cool- ing system in extreme winter weather conditions every 10,000 to 15,000 miles, or less if the truck is going through a gallon or more antifreeze/ coolant a month." And in cases where coolant needs to be added, Granger says aftermarket businesses should inform customers that a 50-50 mix isn't their only coolant option. Most coolants provide even lower freeze points when upped to 60 percent ethylene glycol — but oddly, their freeze points rise dramatically once they surpass that 60 percent threshold. Sixty percent anti- freeze and 40 percent water is the maximum concentration Shell recommends in vehicles, especially in extreme cold. "The freeze point for 100 percent ethylene glycol is actually about 10°F," Granger says. Filters The gelling and sludge points above make fi lters a clear must-check item for any win- terization inspection. Layne Gobrogge, director of heavy-duty marketing for Luber-fi ner, says fi lters are fi rst line of defense (and typi- cally the fi rst casualties) of fl uids weakened by winter. "In winter temperatures, fl uids become more viscous and create more resistance to fl ow," he says. "This can be especially noticeable in fuel fi lters with the cloud/gel point of fuel where the waxes solidify and block the fl ow of fuel through the fi lter media." Air fi lters take their own winter-related beatings from snow and moisture and are equally at risk of clogging and reduced performance, adds Donald Chilton, vice presi- dent of product management at WIX Filters. In each case, manufac- turers recommend service providers check all fi lters during winterization mainte- nance, replacing worn units and any fi lter that has been compromised. Regarding air fi lters, Chilton says "a quick glance at the air fi lter is recommended in extreme conditions. A visual inspection of the air box or housing will show any blockage." Maximum protection winter fl uid fi lters — built to better withstand gelling and thickening — also are available for customers in the harshest climates. Engines & Related Components Engines are rarely the focal point of PM stops but service providers still need to include them in any winterization ser- vice offering. Inspecting the fl uids and fi lters mentioned above will minimize risks of premature engine failures but won't uncover all winter- related risks. Cummins Director of North American OEM Service Ron Chapman says his company advises vehicle owners and service provid- ers to perform detailed visual inspections at the outset of the winter and then supple- ment those inspections with additional scheduled checks. In the worst climates, Cum- mins also recommends engine modifi cations to better equip their engines for the harsh environments, Chapman says. "Our directions typically depend on the type of climate the unit will be operating in," he says. "We have temperature ranges where we will specify what type of modifi cations need to be made." Chapman says this in- formation can be found in engine maintenance manuals, service bulletins and through Cummins' customer support. In addition to the engine itself, there are other under hood components that should be inspected — and in some cases installed — ahead of the winter. Chapman mentions coolant and oil heaters and temperature control fan drives as a few examples, while Henningsen adds fuel fi lter heaters and fuel water separators. Henningsen says tractors equipped with these com- ponents should be inspected T R U C K P A R T S & S E R V I C E | N o v e m b e r 2 0 1 6 Adding dialectic grease to all connectors is the best defense against moisture and corrosive chemicals that can destroy electrical systems.