PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-576
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 576
NOVEMBER 2000
PS 576
11
PS 576
10
NOV 00
o matter how cold it is outside, your
vehicle’s cooling system should be able to
reach 160
o
to 180
o
F. If yours won’t, have
the thermostat checked. It may be stuck
open and need replacing.
A vehicle system that always runs at more
than 200
o
F also needs attention. A bum
thermostat, a clogged radiator, a bad radiator
cap or filthy coolant may be the culprit. The engine’s air flow may even be
blocked.
To speed up heating in freezing weather, you can partially cover the air intake
grilles with canvas when starting the vehicle. Be sure to remove the cover after
the engine reaches operating temperature.
Engine Cooling Systems . . .
Look at the radiator cap. It
should be the one your TM calls
for. Just any cap won’t do. The
pressure rating of the cap is vital.
Too low a rating lowers the
boiling point of your coolant. Too
high builds up pressure that’ll pop
radiator seams or blow hoses.
Hoses need to be touched as
well as looked at. They must
withstand heat, pressure and
vibration. They’re rubber, so they rot, harden and crack with age. You need both
eyes and hands to detect bad hoses. Report any bad hoses that show these signs:
PUFFY
Cap pressure rating correct?
i'm
right
where i
should
be.
MUSHY
HARD (cracks are clues)
WET (or even damp)
drivers, just because
it's cold outside doesn't mean
you can
ignore
your engine's
cooling system
.
i'm sure glad
i pulled pm on my
truck's cooling system.
i'd
hate
to be
stuck
out
here
!
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