3176C Engine Caterpillar

Clean the cooling system and flush the cooling system before the recommended maintenance interval if the following conditions exist:

• The engine overheats frequently.

• Foaming of the coolant

• The oil has entered the cooling system and the coolant is contaminated.

• The fuel has entered the cooling system and the coolant is contaminated.

Note: When the cooling system is cleaned, only clean water is needed when the ELC is drained and replaced.

Note: Inspect the water pump and the water temperature regulator after the cooling system has been drained. This is a good opportunity to replace the water pump, the water temperature regulator and the hoses, if necessary.

Drain

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Pressurized System: Hot coolant can cause serious burns. To open the cooling system filler cap, stop the engine and wait until the cooling system components are cool. Loosen the cooling system pressure cap slowly in order to relieve the pressure.

1. Stop the engine and allow the engine to cool. Loosen the cooling system filler cap slowly in order to relieve any pressure. Remove the cooling system filler cap.

2. Open the cooling system drain valve (if equipped). If the cooling system is not equipped with a drain valve, remove the cooling system drain plugs.

   Allow the coolant to drain.

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NOTICE
Dispose of used engine coolant properly or recycle. Various methods have been proposed to reclaim used coolant for reuse in engine cooling systems. The full distillation procedure is the only method acceptable by Caterpillar to reclaim the used coolant.

For information regarding the disposal and the recycling of used coolant, consult your Caterpillar dealer or consult Caterpillar Service Technology Group:

Outside Illinois 1-800-542-TOOL
Inside Illinois 1-800-541-TOOL
Canada 1-800-523-TOOL

Flush

1. Flush the cooling system with clean water in order to remove any debris.

2. Close the drain valve (if equipped). Clean the drain plugs. Install the drain plugs. Refer to the Specifications Manual for your particular engine for more specific information on the proper torques. Refer to the Specifications, SENR3130, "Torque Specifications" for more general information on the proper torques.
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   NOTICE
   Fill the cooling system no faster than 19 L (5 US gal) per minute to avoid air locks.

3. Fill the cooling system with clean water. Install the cooling system filler cap.

4. Start the engine and run the engine at low idle until the temperature reaches 49 to 66 °C (120 to 150 °F).

5. Stop the engine and allow the engine to cool. Loosen the cooling system filler cap slowly in order to relieve any pressure. Remove the cooling system filler cap. Open the drain valve (if equipped) or remove the cooling system drain plugs. Allow the water to drain. Flush the cooling system with clean water. Close the drain valve (if equipped). Clean the drain plugs. Install the drain plugs. Refer to the Specifications Manual for your particular engine for more specific information on the proper torques. Refer to the Specifications, SENR3130, "Torque Specifications" for more general information on the proper torques.

Fill

Engines that are Equipped with a Coolant Recovery Tank

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NOTICE
Fill the cooling system no faster than 19 L (5 US gal) per minute to avoid air locks.

1. Fill the cooling system with Extended Life Coolant (ELC). Refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Cooling System Specifications" topic (Maintenance Section) for more information on cooling system specifications. Do not install the cooling system filler cap.

2. Place the transmission in neutral. Start the engine and operate the engine at low idle. Increase the engine rpm to 1500 rpm. Operate the engine at 1500 rpm for one minute in order to purge air from the cavities of the engine block. Stop the engine.

3. Pour more ELC into the cooling system until the cooling system is full.

4. Clean the cooling system filler cap. Inspect the gasket that is on the cooling system filler cap. If the gasket that is on the cooling system filler cap is damaged, discard the old cooling system filler cap and install a new cooling system filler cap. If the gasket that is on the cooling system filler cap is not damaged, use a 9S-8140 Pressurizing Pump in order to pressure test the cooling system filler cap. The correct pressure for the cooling system filler cap is stamped on the face of the cooling system filler cap. If the cooling system filler cap does not retain the correct pressure, install a new cooling system filler cap.
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   Illustration 1	g00103638
   (1) Recovery tank filler cap (2) "COLD FULL" mark (3) "LOW ADD" mark

5. Loosen the cap for the coolant recovery tank slowly in order to relieve any pressure. Remove the cap for the coolant recovery tank.

6. Pour Extended Life Coolant (ELC) into the coolant recovery tank until the coolant reaches the "COLD FULL" mark. DO NOT fill the coolant recovery tank above the "COLD FULL" mark.

7. Clean the cap for the coolant recovery tank. Install the cap for the coolant recovery tank.

8. Start the engine. Inspect the cooling system for leaks and for proper operating temperature.

Engines that are NOT Equipped with a Coolant Recovery Tank

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NOTICE
Fill the cooling system no faster than 19 L (5 US gal) per minute to avoid air locks.

1. Fill the cooling system with Extended Life Coolant (ELC). Refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Cooling System Specifications" topic (Maintenance Section) for more information on cooling system specifications. Do not install the cooling system filler cap.

2. Place the transmission in neutral. Start the engine and operate the engine at low idle. Increase the engine rpm to 1500 rpm. Operate the engine at 1500 rpm for one minute in order to purge air from the cavities of the engine block. Stop the engine.

3. Check the coolant level. Maintain the coolant level within 13 mm (.5 inch) below the bottom of the pipe for filling. Maintain the coolant level within 13 mm (.5 inch) to the proper level on the sight glass (if equipped).

4. Clean the cooling system filler cap. Inspect the gasket that is on the cooling system filler cap. If the gasket that is on the cooling system filler cap is damaged, discard the old cooling system filler cap and install a new cooling system filler cap. If the gasket that is on the cooling system filler cap is not damaged, use a 9S-8140 Pressurizing Pump in order to pressure test the cooling system filler cap. The correct pressure for the cooling system filler cap is stamped on the face of the cooling system filler cap. If the cooling system filler cap does not retain the correct pressure, install a new cooling system filler cap.

5. Start the engine. Inspect the cooling system for leaks and for proper operating temperature.