C4.4 Industrial 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 is observed.

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

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

Show/hide table

NOTICE
Use of commercially available cooling system cleaners may cause damage to cooling system components. Use only cooling system cleaners that are approved for Caterpillar engines.

Show/hide table

NOTICE
When any servicing or repair of the engine cooling system is performed, the procedure must be performed with the engine on level ground. This procedure will allow you to accurately check the coolant level. This procedure will also help in avoiding the risk of introducing an air lock into the coolant system.

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

Drain

Show/hide table

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.

   Note: Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "General Hazard Information" for information on Containing Fluid Spillage.

   Show/hide table

   Illustration 1	g02119093
   Typical example

2. Open the drain cock or remove the drain plug (1) on the engine. Also remove the drain plug (2). Open the drain cock or remove the drain plug on the radiator.

   Note: Some applications have two drain plugs on the cooler, only one is required for draining.

   Allow the coolant to drain into a suitable container.

3. Properly dispose of the drained material. Obey local regulations for the disposal of the material.

Show/hide table

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.

Flush

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

2. Close the drain valves (if equipped). Clean the drain plugs. Install the drain plugs. Refer to Torque Specifications, SENR3130 for more information on the correct torques.
   Show/hide table

   NOTICE
   Do not fill the cooling system faster than 5 L (1.3 US gal) per minute to avoid air locks. Cooling system air locks may result in engine damage.

3. Fill the cooling system with a mixture of clean water and Caterpillar Fast Acting Cooling System Cleaner. Add 0.5 L (1 pint) of cleaner per 15 L (4 US gal) of the cooling system capacity. Install the cooling system filler cap.

4. Start and run the engine at low idle for a minimum of 30 minutes. The coolant temperature should be at least 82 °C (180 °F).
   Show/hide table

   NOTICE
   Improper or incomplete rinsing of the cooling system can result in damage to copper and other metal components. To avoid damage to the cooling system, make sure to completely flush the cooling system with clear water. Continue to flush the system until all signs of the cleaning agent are gone.

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 Torque Specifications, SENR3130 for more information on the correct torques.

Cooling Systems with Heavy Deposits or Plugging

Note: For the following procedure to be effective, there must be some active flow through the cooling system components.

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 Torque Specifications, SENR3130 for more information on the correct torques.
   Show/hide table

   NOTICE
   Do not fill the cooling system faster than 5 L (1.3 US gal) per minute to avoid air locks. Cooling system air locks may result in engine damage.

3. Fill the cooling system with a mixture of clean water and Caterpillar Fast Acting Cooling System Cleaner. Add 0.5 L (1 pint) of cleaner per 3.8 to 7.6 L (1 to 2 US gal) of the cooling system capacity. Install the cooling system filler cap.

4. Start and run the engine at low idle for a minimum of 90 minutes. The coolant temperature should be at least 82 °C (180 °F).
   Show/hide table

   NOTICE
   Improper or incomplete rinsing of the cooling system can result in damage to copper and other metal components. To avoid damage to the cooling system, make sure to completely flush the cooling system with clear water. Continue to flush the system until all signs of the cleaning agent are gone.

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 Torque Specifications, SENR3130 for more information on the correct torques.

Fill

Show/hide table

NOTICE
Do not fill the cooling system faster than 5 L (1.3 US gal) per minute to avoid air locks. Cooling system air locks may result in engine damage.

1. Fill the cooling system with the coolant/antifreeze. Refer to this Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Refill Capacities and Recommendations" topic (Maintenance Section) for more information on cooling system specifications. Do not install the cooling system filler cap.

2. Start and run the engine at low idle. Increase the engine rpm to high idle. Operate the engine in order to open the engine thermostat. This operation will allow any air in the system to be purged. Decrease the engine speed to low idle. Stop the engine.

3. Maintain the coolant level at the maximum mark that is correct for your application.

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. Install a new cooling system filler cap. If the gasket that is on the cooling system filler cap is not damaged, perform a pressure test. A 9S-8140 Pressurizing Pump is used to perform the pressure test. 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 the correct operating temperature.