If you knew that almost half of all major engine failures can be attributed to cooling system faults you would almost certainly pay more attention to this aspect of truck maintenance.
If you are only earning money when your truck is on the road it makes perfect sense to focus your attention on making regular system checks and ensuring periodic maintenance tasks are completed.
If you aim to buy aftermarket international truck parts, for instance, that will allow you to carry out maintenance tasks with the right quality components. Another good discipline would be to carry out regular cooling system maintenance tasks.
Here are some top tips to follow.
Check coolant levels frequently
This tip is a real no-brainer. It only takes a few minutes to check the coolant level in your truck. Most trucks make this task as easy as possible by having translucent tanks or a sight glass you can check with.
Topping up coolant levels as soon as you see it is needed is going to help keep your truck in top shape and reduce the risk of a breakdown.
Is the coolant in good condition?
As well as making sure that the coolant level is correct you also need to check that it is in good condition.
This means verifying that the coolant is achieving the optimum freeze point required to protect your engine and some of its key components.
While you are doing this test you should also take a look at the condition of the radiator, belts, and hoses. Even a cursory inspection of these key elements of the cooling system could quickly reveal any signs of deterioration or damage.
Spotting these problems early allows you to replace the damaged components before they have a chance to impact your cooling system in a more damaging way.
Check for leaks
Another essential maintenance task would be to check that the cooling system doesn’t have any leaks. You can check for leaks using a pressure test.
The most regular cooling system fault stems from a lack of coolant in the system. By checking the levels and checking for leaks using a pressure test you are safeguarding against this happening.
If you do spot any leaks get them repaired as a matter of urgency.
Remember to flush the system with every coolant change
It is essential that the system is flushed properly each time you change the coolant.
This task also enables you to verify that you have the right coolant mix proportions.
Remember that coolant is half water. That creates a rust risk and is why it is essential that you achieve the right coolant mix and water dilution percentages.
Check the engine fan regularly
Another key maintenance task to perform involves checking the engine fan to verify that it cycles correctly. Inspect the fan to confirm it is in good mechanical condition and the mounting hardware and shroud are in good order.
Catching potential cooling system issues early could be critical to keeping your truck on the road. If you want to maximize your uptime make sure you pay attention to every aspect of your truck’s cooling system.