This type of system prevents cavitation in the water pump. Cavitation is the forming of low pressure bubbles in liquids that are caused by mechanical forces. A pressure type cooling system helps to prevent pockets of air from forming.
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| Illustration 1 | g01106438 |
Effects of pressure on boiling point of a cooling system | |
Temperature and pressure work together. When a diagnosis is made of a cooling system problem, both temperature and pressure must be checked. Cooling system pressure will have an effect on the cooling system temperature. For an example, refer to Illustration 1. This will show the effect of pressure on the boiling point (steam) of water. This will also show the effect of height above sea level.
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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 filler cap slowly to relieve pressure only when engine is stopped and radiator cap is cool enough to touch with your bare hand. Cooling System Conditioner contains alkali. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. |
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The coolant must be to the correct level in order to check the coolant system. The engine must be cold and the engine must not be running.
Slowly loosen the pressure cap in order to relieve the pressure out of the cooling system. Then remove the pressure cap.
The level of the coolant should not be more than 13 mm (0.5 inch) from the bottom of the filler pipe. If the cooling system is equipped with a sight glass, the coolant should be to the proper level in the sight glass.
Tools for Testing the Cooling System
| Tools Needed | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part Number | Part Name | Quantity |
| 4C-6500 | Digital Thermometer | 1 |
| 8T-2700 | Blowby/Air Flow Indicator | 1 |
| 9S-8140 | Pressurizing Pump | 1 |
| 9U-7400 | Multitach Tool Group | 1 |
| 245-5829 | Coolant/Battery Tester Gp | 1 |
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Making contact with a running engine can cause burns from hot parts and can cause injury from rotating parts. When working on an engine that is running, avoid contact with hot parts and rotating parts. |
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| Illustration 2 | g00876179 |
4C-6500 Digital Thermometer | |
The 4C-6500 Digital Thermometer is used for the diagnosis of overheating conditions and for the diagnosis of overcooling conditions. This group can be used to check temperatures in several different parts of the cooling system. Refer to the tool's Operating Manual for the testing procedures.
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| Illustration 3 | g00286269 |
8T-2700 Blowby/Air Flow Indicator | |
The 8T-2700 Blowby/Air Flow Indicator is used to check the air flow through the radiator core. Refer to Special Instruction, SEHS8712, "Using the 8T-2700 Blowby/Air Flow Indicator " for the test procedure for checking the blowby of a cooling system's radiator.
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| Illustration 4 | g00286276 |
9U-7400 Multitach | |
The 9U-7400 Multitach Tool Group is used to check the fan speed for an engine. Refer to the tool's Operating Manual for the testing procedure.
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| Illustration 5 | g00286369 |
9S-8140 Pressurizing Pump | |
The 9S-8140 Pressurizing Pump is used to pressure test the radiator's filler cap. This pressurizing pump is also used to pressure test the cooling system for leaks.
Check the coolant frequently in cold weather for the proper glycol concentration. Use the 245-5829 Coolant/Battery Tester Gp in order to ensure adequate freeze protection. The testers are identical except for the temperature scale. The testers give immediate, accurate readings. The testers can be used for antifreeze/coolants that contain ethylene or propylene glycol.
Test and Inspect the Filler Cap
| Tools Needed | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part Number | Part Name | Quantity |
| 9S-8140 | Pressurizing Pump | 1 |
One cause for a pressure loss in the cooling system can be a damaged seal on the radiator filler cap.
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| Illustration 6 | g01096114 |
Cutaway view of a filler cap and radiator (1) Sealing surface of both filler cap and radiator | |
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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 filler cap slowly to relieve pressure only when engine is stopped and radiator cap is cool enough to touch with your bare hand. Cooling System Conditioner contains alkali. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. |
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To check for the amount of pressure that opens the filler cap, use the following procedure:
- After the engine cools, carefully loosen the filler cap. Slowly release the pressure from the cooling system. Then, remove the filler cap.
Carefully inspect the filler cap. Look for any damage to the seals and to the sealing surface. Inspect the following components for any foreign substances:
- Filler cap
- Seal
- Surface for seal
Remove any deposits that are found on these items, and remove any material that is found on these items.
- Filler cap
- Install the filler cap on the 9S-8140 Pressurizing Pump .
- Look at the gauge for the exact pressure that opens the filler cap.
- Compare the gauge reading with the opening pressure that is listed on the filler cap.
- If the filler cap is damaged, replace the filler cap.
Test the Radiator and the Cooling System for Leaks
| Tools Needed | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part Number | Part Name | Quantity |
| 9S-8140 | Pressurizing Pump | 1 |
Use the following procedure in order to check the cooling system for leaks:
- Ensure that the engine is cool. Loosen the filler cap slowly and allow pressure out of the cooling system. Then remove the filler cap from the radiator.
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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 filler cap slowly to relieve pressure only when engine is stopped and radiator cap is cool enough to touch with your bare hand. Cooling System Conditioner contains alkali. Avoid contact with skin and eyes. |
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- Ensure that the coolant level is above the top of the radiator core.
- Install the 9S-8140 Pressurizing Pump onto the radiator.
- Take the pressure reading on the gauge to 20 kPa (3 psi) more than the pressure on the filler cap.
- Check the radiator for leakage on the outside.
- Check all connection points for leakage, and check the hoses for leakage.
The following conditions exist if the cooling system does not have external leakage:
- You do not observe any outside leakage.
- The pressure reading on the cooling system remains steady after five minutes.
The following conditions exist if the cooling system has internal leakage:
- The pressure reading on the cooling system decreases in a five minute period.
- You do not observe any outside leakage.
Repair the cooling system, as required.
Test for the Water Temperature Gauge
| Tools Needed | ||
|---|---|---|
| Part Number | Part Name | Quantity |
| 4C-6500 | Digital Thermometer | 1 |
Note: Caterpillar Electronic Technician (ET) can also be used in order to display the engine's coolant temperature.
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Personal injury can result from escaping fluid under pressure. If a pressure indication is shown on the indicator, push the release valve in order to relieve pressure before removing any hose from the radiator. |
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Making contact with a running engine can cause burns from hot parts and can cause injury from rotating parts. When working on an engine that is running, avoid contact with hot parts and rotating parts. |
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Check the accuracy of the water temperature indicator or water temperature sensor if you find either of the following conditions:
- The engine runs at a temperature that is too hot, but a normal temperature is indicated. A loss of coolant is found.
- The engine runs at a normal temperature, but a hot temperature is indicated. No loss of coolant is found.
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| Illustration 7 | g01121401 |
Typical example (1) Water manifold assembly | |
Remove a plug from water manifold assembly (1). Install the thermometer into the open port:
- The 4C-6500 Digital Thermometer
Any temperature indicator of known accuracy can also be used to make this check.
Start the engine. Run the engine until the temperature reaches the desired range according to the test thermometer. If necessary, place a cover over part of the radiator in order to cause a restriction of the air flow. The reading on the temperature indicator should agree with the test thermometer within the tolerance range of the water temperature indicator.