PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-636
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 636
NOVEMBER 2005
Hose clamp
loose, broken,
missing
Hose connection
leak
Oil or fuel
in coolant
Wrong or broken
pressure cap
Hose connection
leak
Head
gasket
leak
Plug
leaks
Seam leak
Seam
leak
Bolt
leak
Hose connection leak
Hose cracked,
brittle, mushy
Coolant in
engine oil—
shows on
dipstick as
blobs of water
Belt cracked,
ragged, loose,
missing
Core leak
Seam leak
Bugs, leaves,
other debris
Drain cock leak
Any leaks or other cooling system problems?
PS 636
NOV 05
19
All Vehicles…
When Air
Can’t
Get Through
A
clogged air filter element on your truck can be a real showstopper!
Moist air or snow sucked into
the filter can freeze on the ele-
ment. Once the element is coated
with ice, air can’t get through.
So, in damp, cold weather,
keep an eye on your vehicle’s air
restriction indicator. On some
vehicles, once the indicator
shows red, the filter is plugged.
On others, once a pointer reaches
the red level on the indicator, the
filter is plugged. Either way, get
the element cleaned and dried
out. Or get a new one.
Always keep snow cleared
away from the air intake. In
damp, cold weather it’s a good
idea to have a clean, dry element
on hand for a quick switch.
PS 636
18
Check the radiator. Look for leaks on the top and bottom tanks and the front and
back of the core.
Leaks may not show up when your engine is cold, so look for rust and odd-
colored dribbles where coolant has leaked and dried.
{sniff}
I’m
freezing
and I
can’t
breathe!
put
me
in,
mechanic!
I’m
clean
and
dry!!
Later, when you’ve got the engine running at operating temperature and pressure,
check those places again for wet spots. Use a flashlight during both inspections.
Finally, take the radiator cap off. If the cooling system is
hot, open the filler cap slowly until all pressure is gone. Use
a rag or glove to protect your bare hand from the hot cap.
The coolant should be at least over the top of the core. It
should be almost clear and colored by the antifreeze.
If your coolant is muddy-looking or has bits of junk in it,
your vehicle’s cooling system needs draining—flushing—
even cleaning. So report it!
If you see a rainbow of oil slime on top of the coolant,
you’ve probably got a leak inside the engine. Exhaust gas or
oil is getting into your cooling system. Pull the crankcase
dipstick and check for water in the oil. Little blobs will
show on the dipstick. Either way, report it.
Water
blobs on
dipstick?
Report it
Element must be dry
Red indicates
plugged filter
636.18-19(C).qxd
9/30/05
10:09 AM
Page 1
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