- Stop the engine. Allow the cooling system to cool completely.
- Open the hood for the engine.
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Personal injury can result from hot coolant, steam and alkali.
At operating temperature, engine coolant is hot and under pressure. The radiator and all lines to heaters or the engine contain hot coolant or steam. Any contact can cause severe burns.
Remove cooling system pressure cap slowly to relieve pressure only when engine is stopped and cooling system pressure cap is cool enough to touch with your bare hand.
Do not attempt to tighten hose connections when the coolant is hot, the hose can come off causing burns.
Cooling System Coolant Additive contains alkali. Avoid contact with skin and eyes.
- Slowly loosen radiator cap (1) and remove radiator cap (1).
- Remove the cap for expansion tank (3).
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NOTICE Care must be taken to ensure that fluids are contained during performance of inspection, maintenance, testing, adjusting and repair of the product. Be prepared to collect the fluid with suitable containers before opening any compartment or disassembling any component containing fluids.
Refer to Special Publication, NENG2500, "Caterpillar Dealer Service Tool Catalog" for tools and supplies suitable to collect and contain fluids on Caterpillar products.
Dispose of all fluids according to local regulations and mandates.
- Drain valve (2) is located on the bottom corner of the radiator. Open drain valve (2). Allow the coolant to drain into a suitable container.
- Close drain valve (2). Fill the radiator with a solution which consists of clean water and of cooling system cleaner. Once the radiator is filled, fill the cooling system expansion tank to the full line. The concentration of the cooling system cleaner in the solution should be between 6 percent and 10 percent.
- Install radiator cap (1) and the cap for the expansion tank (3).
- Close the hood for the engine.
- Start the engine. Run the engine for 90 minutes. Stop the engine. Allow the cooling system to cool completely.
- Slowly loosen radiator cap (1) and remove radiator cap (1).
- Remove the cap for expansion tank (3).
- Drain the cleaning solution into a suitable container.
- While the engine is stopped, flush the system with water. Flush the system until the draining water is transparent.
- Close drain valve (2).
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NOTICE Mixing Extended Life Coolant (ELC) with other products reduces the effectiveness of the coolant and shortens coolant life. Use only Caterpillar products or commercial products that have passed the Caterpillar EC-1 specifications for premixed or concentrate coolants. Use only Caterpillar Extender with Caterpillar ELC. Failure to follow these recommendations could result in the damage to cooling systems components.
If ELC cooling system contamination occurs, refer to Operation and Maintenance, "Extended Life Coolant (ELC)" under the topic ELC Cooling System Contamination.
- Add the coolant solution. See the following topics:
- Special Publication, SEBU6250, "Caterpillar Machine Fluids Recommendations", "Cooling System Specifications"
- Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Capacities (Refill)"
Note: If you are using Caterpillar antifreeze, do not add the supplemental coolant additive at this time.
- Start the engine. Run the engine without the radiator cap until the thermostat opens and the coolant level stabilizes.
- Completely fill the radiator.
Note: The radiator must remain completely full in order for the expansion tank to work properly.
- Replace radiator cap (1) if the gasket is damaged. Install radiator cap (1).
- Maintain the level of the coolant to the full line on expansion tank (4).
- Install the cap for expansion tank (3).
- Stop the engine.
- Close the hood for the engine.
