PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-610

PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly

ISSUE 610

SEPTEMBER 2003
PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-610 - Page 8 of 33
PS 610
SEP 03
12
W
hat do a worn gasket, leaking radiator and cracked hose have in common?
Any one of them can put your vehicle’s cooling system out of business.
So here’s a little preventive maintenance that saves on repair bills and keeps you
out of hot water!
Use ST255 radiator testing kit, NSN 4910-00-728-8227, to test the radiator cap
and the vehicle’s entire cooling system.
The kit is listed in TM 750-254,
Cooling Systems: Tactical Vehicles.
Here’s how
to use it:
Radiator Cap
Start by testing the radiator cap to make
sure the gasket is not cracked or torn and will
hold pressure.
Get an adapter from the testing kit that
will fit your radiator cap.
Attach the adapter to the pump’s nozzle.
Moisten the gasket on the cap with water
or antifreeze, the way it would be under
normal conditions.
Attach the radiator cap to the adapter.
Work the pump until the gauge shows the
required pounds per square inch (PSI). The PSI
is stamped on the radiator cap.
If the cap’s good, the needle on the gauge
will hold at the required PSI. If the needle
doesn’t hold, the cap’s losing pressure. Time
for a new cap.
1.
Make sure the engine’s cool before testing.
2. Remove the radiator cap and attach the
pump’s nozzle to the neck of the radiator.
3. Work the pump until the gauge shows the
required PSI.
4.
Keep an eye on the gauge. If the pressure’s
dropping, there’s a leak in the cooling system.
Listen for escaping air. Look for coolant leaking
out at these places:
Also look for hoses that swell or bulge.
They probably need to be replaced.
5. After making your inspection, gradually release
the pressure on the pump’s nozzle so that coolant
doesn’t gush out. Remember, the system’s
under pressure.
Cooling System
- hoses
- hose connections
- water pump
- radiator
- freeze plugs
ST255 Radiator Testing Kit…
You’ll also
need to test the
entire cooling
system for
leaks. Follow
these steps…
{sheesh!} I hope
he tests
my
cooling
system better
than
that!
610. 12-13 (C)
8/1/03
12:46 PM
Page 1
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