SEBU6400-05 35

Maintenance Section
Cooling System Specifications

Cooling System Many engine failures are related to the above

conditions: cracking of the cylinder head and/or of
Specifications the engine block, piston seizure, leakage of the water
pump, failure of the water pump, and pitting of the
cylinder liners and cylinder block.
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These problems can be avoided through proper
General Coolant Information maintenance of the cooling system. Periodically
evaluate the maintenance practices in order to make
SMCS Code: 1350; 1395 sure that the cooling system is properly maintained.

NOTICE
Refer to the engine Operation and Maintenance
Manual for any coolant information that may be
specific to that application.
Functions of Cooling System
The cooling systems of modern gas engines are
precisely balanced. The performance of the cooling
system affects many of the engine components.
Optimum performance can only be obtained by
proper installation and maintenance of the cooling
system.
The engine cooling system is designed to meet
specific guidelines. The proper coolant/antifreeze will
provide the following functions:
Properties of Coolant/Antifreeze
Coolant/antifreeze is normally composed of three
elements: water, glycol, and additives. Each element
must meet specific guidelines.
Water
Water is used in the cooling system in order to
transfer heat.
NOTICE
Never use water alone without Supplemental Coolant
Additives (SCA) or without inhibited coolant. Water
alone is corrosive at engine operating temperatures.
Water alone does not provide adequate protection
against boiling or freezing.

• Adequate heat transfer Deionized water or distilled water is

recommended for use in engine cooling systems.
• Compatibility with the cooling system components
such as hoses, seals, and piping
If distilled water or deionized water is not available,
use water with the properties that are listed in Table 8.
• Protection from water pump cavitation
Table 8
• Protection from other cavitation erosion
Caterpillar Minimum Acceptable Water Requirements
• Protection from freezing and from boiling Property Maximum Limit ASTM Test

• Protection from the buildup of corrosion, of sludge, 40 mg/L “D512”,

Chloride (Cl)
and of scale (2.4 grains per US gal) “D4327”
100 mg/L
If a cooling system fails to perform any of the above Sulfate (SO4) “D516”
(5.9 grains per US gal)
functions, the following conditions can occur:
170 mg/L
Total Hardness “D1126”
(10 grains per US gal)
• Overheating
340 mg/L
Total Solids “D1888”
• Overcooling (20 grains per US gal)
Acidity pH of 5.5 to 9.0 “D1293”
• Leaks from hoses, from seals, and from piping
• Cavitation erosion
• Damage from freezing or from boiling
• Plugging of passages for the coolant/antifreeze in
components such as radiators, aftercoolers, oil
coolers, and other heat exchangers