1979/06/06 Caterpillar

All Engines

SUPPLEMENT: 06/20/79

ENGINE NEWS, JUNE 6, 1979, PAGE 2.

In th article "New Type Products Available To Clean Cooling Systems", the ratio of cleaner to water for different percent solutions is not given correctly. The correct ratio for a 10% solution is 1 part cleaner to 9 parts water, and the correct ratio for a 20% solution is 2 parts cleaner to 8 parts water. Make corrections to these ratios in four places in the article as follows:

Under topic "A. Application", in paragraphs 1 and 2, and in the caution note.

Under topic "B. General Procedure", in Step 2.

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A clean cooling system is very important to any engine for good efficiency and maximum service life. In most engine applications, deposits of rust and corrosion must be removed at intervals to prevent cooling problems. The amount of these deposits and the frequency of removal is in direct relation to the conditions of operation and the maintenance procedures used. A number of different products are normally used to remove deposits of rust and corrosion, but most of these products have a strong chemical action and must be used carefully to prevent injury or possible damage to the cooling system.

Now, a different type of product is available to clean cooling systems. Products of this type use a chelation chemical action, and are a development of the space industry. According to the manufacturers (sources), these products are much safer to use because they are:

... Neither acid nor alkaline

... Biodegradable (safe for the environment)

... Acceptable under the U.S. Department of Transportation rules for shipment by land, sea or air.

The new products also have good characteristics for long storage and will not damage either metal parts, including aluminum, or other parts, including hoses and gaskets when correctly used, according to the manufacturer's information.

One manufacturer's recommendations for use of the new type product are:

A. Application

1. For average conditions, with light to medium amounts of rust and other material, use a 10% solution (1 part cleaner to 9 parts water).

2. For heavy amounts of rust and other material, a stronger solution of 20% (2 parts cleaner to 8 parts water) can be used if needed.

Show/hide table

NOTICE
If there are galvanized, zinc, or cast aluminum surfaces in the cooling system, do not use a solution stronger than 10% (1 part cleaner to 9 parts water). A weaker solution can be used, if necessary. Get recommendations from the manufacturer before use of the cleaner in these systems.

3. To clean the cooling system, the temperature of the solution in the system must be between a minimum of 160°F (71°C) and a maximum of 250°F (121°C) in a pressurized system. For best results, operate the system with the solution at a temperature between 180°F (82°C) and 200°F (93°C).

4. The cleaner will remove some light oils from the system, but heavier oils must be removed with a solvent or other degreaser before the cleaner is put into the system. Where available, a good degreaser to use is a non-foaming (without bubbles) detergent, like automatic dishwasher detergent.

B. General Procedure.

NOTE: The procedure that follows is for average conditions. For specific problems, get recommendations from the manufacturer.

1. Flush the system thoroughly with water until all loose material is removed and the water drains out clear.

2. Fill the system with a 10% (1 part cleaner to 9 parts water) solution of cleaner.

3. Operate the system with the solution at a temperature in the range of 180°-200°F (82°-93°C). If the system has only light deposits of rust and corrosion, it can generally be operated eight hours in a normal work cycle. If the system has heavier deposits, it must be checked at shorter intervals (possibly one hour or less) because loosened material in the system can plug (close) the cooling passages and/or cause leakage at the water pump seal. This can cause the engine to overheat (become too hot), and the system must be drained, flushed, and again filled with a solution of cleaner.

4. Drain the system, then flush with water until the water drains out clear.

5. Inspect the system and, if necessary, do Steps 2 through 4 again.

6. Fill the system with the desired coolant and corrosion inhibitor.

The new type products are especially adaptable to clean marine engine cooling systems that have a keel cooler, which can not be drained. The recommendation is to use these products in this type of system because they give better protection against possible damage to systems that are difficult to flush. The new products also give good results when used to clean cooling systems in other applications. At the present time, two different products of the new type are available as follows:

1. "Cooling System Cleaner"

Locc Corporation
905 North Bayshore Drive
Coos Bay, Oregon 97420
Telephone: (503) 267-4904

2. "Peak Professional Cooling System Cleaner"

Northern Petrochemical Company
(at any of these addresses)
10 South Franklin Turnpike
Ramsey, New Jersey 07446
Telephone: (201) 285-1746 or (800) 631-7160 Toll-free outside New Jersey

2350 East Devon Avenue
Des Plaines, Illinois 60018
Telephone: (312) 391-6100 or (800) 323-2300 Toll-free outside Illinois

26211 Central Park Blvd.
Southfield, Michigan 48076
Telephone: (313) 356-0077
Five Dunwoody Park
Atlanta, Georgia 30338
Telephone: (404) 394-7420 or (800) 241-4512 Toll-free outside Georgia

1730 NASA Road 1
Houston, Texas 77058
Telephone: (713) 333-2601 or (800) 231-3600 Toll-free outside Texas

2222 Martin Street
Irvine, California 92715
Telephone: (714) 955-2500
For areas outside the United States:
Northern Petrochemical Company International
6509 Spanish Fort Blvd.
New Orleans, Louisiana 70124
Telephone: (504) 283-4703
Telex: 682-1213