Seasonal Maintenance and Inspection of Cummins Diesel Engines

Some items in the seasonal maintenance and inspection of Cummins diesel engines may or may not be included in the maintenance schedule determined by the number of working hours. However, the following items need to be carried out once or twice a year.

1. Clean the Cooling System (Autumn)

The cooling system must be clean to function properly. Scale in the system reduces the heat it absorbs from the water jacket and dissipates to the radiator. Use clean water to avoid clogging the hundreds of small water passages in the radiator and cylinder block. For radiator cores, heater cores, oil coolers, and water passages in the cylinder block clogged with scale and sediment, clean, neutralize, and flush them with a chemical cleaning agent.

2. Replace Water Pipes (When Necessary)

Inspect the hoses and hose connections of the oil filter and cooling system for leaks and damage. Fragments from damaged hoses entering the cooling or lubrication system can restrict or even block the small water passages in the radiator core and the oil cooler, partially halting the circulation. Replace them when necessary.

3. Check the Cold - Start Pre - heater (Autumn)

Remove the 1/8 - inch pipe plug near the glow plug on the intake manifold and check the pre - heater's operation as described in Part (I).

4. Check the Thermostat and Gasket (Autumn)

Remove the thermostat from the thermostat housing and check its opening and closing temperatures (Table 11 - 24). Most Cummins diesel engines are equipped with medium - temperature thermostats of 77 - 85°C (170 - 185°F) and low - temperature thermostats of 71 - 79°C (160 - 175°F). In a few cases, high - temperature thermostats of 82 - 91°C (180 - 195°F) are installed due to the engine's usage.

5. Steam - Clean the Diesel Engine (Spring)

Steam cleaning is the most effective way to clean a dirty diesel engine or equipment. If steam is not available, clean the engine with a specified solvent.

6. Check the Diesel Engine Suspension (Spring)

The mounting bolts of the diesel engine may occasionally loosen, causing rapid wear of the engine suspension and brackets. Therefore, tighten all bolts and nuts when necessary, replace damaged ones, and replenish missing ones.

7. Tighten the Turbocharger Mounting Nuts (When Necessary)

Tighten all the mounting screws and nuts of the turbocharger and ensure they are properly tightened. Tightening the mounting bolts and brackets can minimize vibration.

8. Check the Installation of the Fan and Pulley (Spring)

Check if the fan is firmly installed and tighten the fixing screws when necessary. Inspect the fan for wobbling or bent blades. Check if the fan hub and crankshaft pulley are firmly installed. Check for looseness and wobbling of the fan - hub pulley; if necessary, remove the fan guide hub to tighten the nut on the shaft. Tighten the fan - bracket screws.

9. Check the Crankshaft End Play (Spring)

The crankshaft end play of new or overhauled Cummins diesel engines should meet the requirements in Table 11 - 25. If the end play of a worn - out engine exceeds the wear limit in the table, the engine cannot be used. If the engine is disassembled for repair, install new thrust rings.

10. Check the Heat Exchanger Zinc Plugs (Spring)

Inspect the zinc plugs in the heat exchanger and replace them if they are severely corroded. The frequency of replacement depends on the chemical reaction of the raw water circulating in the heat exchanger.

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