Cooling Systems

The Cooling System Provides Engine Temperature Control
The cooling system is designed to:
• Absorb heat from engine components
• Circulate coolant in the engine
• Dissipate heat through the radiator
• Control coolant and engine temperature with the thermostat

Potential Problems
40% of engine maintenance can be directly related to the cooling system. There are four potential problems: liner pitting, corrosion, scale, and water pump leakage.

Liner pitting or cavitation corrosion occurs when small holes form in the side of a cylinder liner. These holes allow coolant to be drawn into the combustion chamber at engine shutoff. Upon startup, if coolant in the cylinder does not compress, hydraulic lock can occur, and cause severe engine damage. Coolant in the oil can also damage engine bearings.

Liner pitting is caused when energy generated during the combustion process combines with the side to side motion of the piston and the liner vibrates at a very high frequency. This vibration causes small bubbles to form on the liner wall, which implode, and a high-speed jet of coolant hits the liner, eventually causing pitting.

Corrosion can occur in any of the cooling system components. One cause of corrosion is poor water quality, especially when excessive levels of chlorides and sulfates are present. Corrosion can affect thermostat performance, water pump life and the radiator cap.

Scale build up on the cooling system components is a result of poor quality water. High calcium and magnesium levels in the water cause buildup on liners and inhibits heat dissipation. When scale builds up, the heat can’t escape into the coolant, leading to liner distortion, which causes ring scuffing and, eventually, excessive ring wear and high oil consumption. Even a slight scale build-up can affect thermostat and radiator-cap efficiency and inhibit the coolant’s flow through the radiator.

Solutions
Heavy-Duty Antifreeze and Coolant provides more than just freeze, boil over and component protection. It is made up of glycol, water and chemicals and it absorbs heat and helps control liner pitting, corrosion, scale and more.

For the heavy-duty coolant to function correctly, it must be maintained at the correct level and ratio recommended by the engine manufacturer in a particular operating environment. The Maintenance Council (TMC) and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) provide standards for diesel engine antifreeze and coolants.

Linder can provide you quality coolant, filters and a PM Pro (Planned Maintenance Program) for most manufacturers.

Click here to locate the PSSR nearest you