PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-563
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 563
OCTOBER 1999
the OIL PRESSURE SWITCH pushed
in until the oil pressure reads more than
20 psi. Otherwise, the low oil pressure
safety switch will prevent the engine
from running.
When you pull the heater fuel hose
out of the storage compartment, keep
its nozzle
pointing up so
that any fuel
in the hose
won’t drain
into the
compartment.
That can be a
fire hazard. If
fuel does
puddle in the
compartment,
mop it up
before starting
the heater.
At the end of operations, walk the
heater fuel hose out to its full length to
drain out all fuel.
Stand as far back as possible when
you turn on the heater. Flames can
come out the heater exhaust.
M12A1 Decon . . .
The engine starter heats up fast if
you let it turn over and over, so don’t
hold the starter longer than 10 seconds.
Then give it three minutes to cool off
before trying again. If it doesn’t start
after five tries, tell your mechanic.
Don’t hold starter more than 10 seconds
Use two hands to drain bowl
In the Field
Check the fuel sediment bowl be-
fore cranking up the M12. If you see
clear liquid, water’s in the fuel. Water
causes starting problems and makes the
M12 run rough.
Use two hands to drain the water—
one to hold the bowl, the other to turn
the nut. Draining one-handed can split
the bowl. Then you’ve got a fuel leak.
Stand back when starting heater
Use exhaust pipe extensions
THERE ARE
PROS
—NO
CONS
—
WHEN IT COMES TO M12A1 DECON PM.
SO ACT
LIKE A
PRO
WITH
THIS PM
!
Keep nozzle pointing up
PS 563
44
OCT 99
In the Motor Pool
The M12 produces exhaust that can
knock you out when you’re deconning.
So make sure both exhaust pipes have
exhaust extensions, NSN 2990-00-994-
0827. If an extension is missing, re-
port it. While waiting for a replace-
ment, find a 1
3
/
4
-in diameter truck ex-
haust extension in the motor pool. It
makes a good temporary replacement.
During operation, route the exten-
sions away from people. But the ex-
tensions become as hot as the exhaust
pipes, so use heavy gloves or a thick
rag to handle them.
Eyeball the heater hoses for gouges
or burns from touching hot stuff like
the heater or exhaust extensions.
Gouges and burned spots can lead to
bad leaks. Report them.
If you spot grease on the hoses, wash
it off with a mild detergent and hot
water. Grease causes dry rot and leaks.
Burns or gouges?
As soon as the engine sounds like
it’s starting, release the starter, but keep
PS 563
45
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