1978/01/18 Caterpillar


Maintenance Instructions For Coolant Conditioner Elements

Usage:


3406 and 3408 Truck Engines

Some conditions of operation have been found to cause pitting (small holes in the metal surface) from corrosion or cavitation erosion (wear caused by air bubbles in the coolant) on the outer surface of the cylinder liners and the inner surface of the cylinder block next to the liners on 3406 and 3408 Truck Engines. Correct maintenance of the cooling system can stop this type of damage.

Many new 3406 and 3408 Truck Engines are equipped with an attachment group for the cooling system. This group automatically adds a corrosion inhibitor to the cooling system coolant. The elements used in the group have a specific amount of corrosion inhibitor. As water or coolant flows through the element, the corrosion inhibitor, which is a dry material, dissolves (goes into a solution) and mixes with the water or coolant to the correct amount of concentration.

Truck engines equipped with this attachment use an element with a larger than normal amount of inhibitor (precharge) at time of delivery. At the first oil change interval, the precharge element is removed and an element with a normal amount of inhibitor (maintenance) is then installed to keep the corrosion and pitting protection at an acceptable level. At all later change periods, only maintenance elements are installed to keep the cooling system protection needed.

NOTE: When a cooling system is drained and filled with new coolant or water, a precharge element must be installed to give acceptable protection.

Use the chart that follows to find the correct precharge and maintenance elements:

NOTE: When a precharge element is installed, make sure the label on the element reads "PRECHARGE".

The service life of a coolant conditioner element is based upon a 10,000-12,000 mile (16,100-19,300 km) change interval and an expected coolant life of 100,000 miles (161,000 km) or one year.


NOTICE

Any extension of the element change period beyond the 10,000-12,000 mile recommendation can result in the loss of adequate cooling system protection.


If water must be added to the cooling system on a daily basis, either the cooling system has a leak or too much water is added (overfilling). Both of these procedures dilute (make weaker) the concentration of inhibitor.

An optional method to give protection to the cooling system is to use Dowtherm 209 antifreeze. No precharge element is needed when Dowtherm 209 is used. But because Dowtherm 209 does lose its ability to give protection, a maintenance element needs to be installed at every other oil change period. Use a 9N3717 Maintenance Element when Dowtherm 209 and water are used in the cooling system.

Follow the 100,000 mile or yearly drain interval recommendations shown in the Lubrication and Maintenance Guides for 3406 and 3408 Truck Engines. This permits debris to be flushed from the cooling system and new coolant or water and new corrosion inhibitor to be added.

Caterpillar Information System:

1977/12/14 Add Chamfer To Cartridge Assembly Bearings To Prevent Oil Leakage
1977/12/14 Excessive Oil Consumption Can Be Caused By Dirt In Air Inlet System Or By Flaking Of The Piston Compression Ring
1977/12/14 Water Separators Needed On Engines In The Field With SMFS
1977/12/14 List Of Service Publications
1977/12/14 New Coolant Tube And Regulator Housing Used With Water Cooled Exhaust Manifold Gives More Clearance For Hooks To Lift The Engine
1977/12/14 Separate Parts Of Oil Pump Cover Now Available
1977/12/14 Improved Mounting Base For Air Compressor
1977/11/30 New Fuel Injection Valve Assembly Has Improved Internal Components
1977/11/30 New Oil Filter Base Has Reinforcement Around The Center To Prevent Possible Cracks
1977/11/30 Reference Chart For Main And Connecting Rod Bearings
1977/11/30 Larger Diameter Holes Are Now Used In The Rocker Arm Shaft To Give More Oil Flow To Rocker Arm Bearings
1977/11/30 New Housing And Impeller Assembly For Water Pump And Drive Group
1978/01/18 Improved Front Pulley And Damper Groups Use New Damper Adapter With Larger Diameter Bolt Circle For Pulley Bolts
1978/01/18 Improved Water Shield For Exhaust Manifold
1978/01/18 New Turbine Housings Are The Replacement For Three Former Turbine Housings Used On Schwitzer Turbochargers
1978/01/18 Improved Water Pump Group Now Used
1978/01/18 Improved Seal Used Between Impeller And Bearings On Water Pump Shaft
1978/01/18 List Of Service Publications
1978/01/18 Valve Damage Can Be Caused By Short Intervals Of Engine Operation In Very Cold Temperatures
1978/01/18 Inner Member Of Caterpillar Coupling Must Be Restrained If The Connection To The Inner Member Is Removed
1978/01/18 Tolerance Added To Valve Clearance Specifications
1978/01/18 Turbine Housing For Turbocharger Is Stronger
1978/01/18 5P8665 Cylinder Liner Puller Makes Liner Removal Easier And Faster
1978/01/18 Improved Gasket Prevents Oil Leakage From The Governor
Back to top
The names Caterpillar, John Deere, JD, JCB, Hyundai or any other original equipment manufacturers are registered trademarks of the respective original equipment manufacturers. All names, descriptions, numbers and symbols are used for reference purposes only.
CH-Part.com is in no way associated with any of the manufacturers we have listed. All manufacturer's names and descriptions are for reference only.