PS Magazine - TB 43-PS-708
PS, The Preventative Maintenance Monthly
ISSUE 708
NOVEMBER 2011
7
PS 708
NOV 11
•
Make sure
there’s always
someone inside
the vehicle
when the
heater system
is running.
Don’t allow
your heater
compartment
to erupt into an
uncontrollable
fire because no
one was around
to spot the
danger.
a
fter cold weather sets in is
not
the time to start thinking about your Bradley’s
personnel heater. If you want it to work when the thermometer drops, you need to
take care of it year round.
It takes a partnership between mechanics and operators to keep the heater in tip-top
condition all year.
Operators
4.
Check all rubber hoses for leaks, dry rot, cracking, or hardening. Replace damaged
ones.
5.
Eyeball all fuel system junctions and connections for any signs of old or new leaks.
If you Fnd no fuel leaks or system problems, continue on to Step 6. Mechanics can
repair fuel supply hoses in the heater compartment, but if you Fnd a leak inside the
heater component itself, see step 12.
6.
While you’re watching
the heater, have someone
else turn it on.
7.
Watch for active
leaks using the same
procedures that were
outlined in steps 2-5.
8.
Look for smoke
around the heater and
at the heater ducts.
9.
Check for an abnormally strong smell of fuel in the heater area.
10.
Let the heater continue to run for 20 minutes and continue to observe.
11.
Turn the heater off.
12.
If any fuel leaks or equipment problems are found within the heater component,
remove the heater and turn it in to support for service.
Mechanics, if the service schedule doesn’t align with your unit’s heater use, or the
vehicle has been in long-term storage, an extra service may be needed before cold
weather sets in.
Mechanics
Since heaters aren’t needed when it’s hot, the required checks are often overlooked
during the summer. That’s why TACOM has decided to place more emphasis on
heater system maintenance by requiring the following
semi-annual
inspection:
1.
Prepare the location to allow total visual and physical access to the heater.
2.
Inspect the heater body and
occupied space, including
hoses and Fttings, for signs of
old or new fuel leaks. Older
leaks can be identiFed by
dried fuel stains.
3.
Remove the heater’s top
cover, NSN 2540-01-497-
8997. This is commonly
known as the “doghouse”.
•
Be aware of the warning signs of a potential
fire—abnormal smells, smoke, flames, or fuel
leaks—while operating the vehicle.
M2/M3-Series
Bradleys…
don’t wait for
to check heater
Check fuel
hoses and
connectors
for leaks
while heater
is running
Remove
heater
cover
awareness
is your
best defense
against
heater
fires.
ugh! that
smell!
did
you cut the
cheese again?
it’s
not
me!
it’s the
heater!
time to inspect
your heater!
huh?
it must be 100
degrees in the shade!
yeah, but it’s
part of your
semi-annual
services!
708 06-07.indd
1-2
10/4/11
10:41 AM
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