Centinel System – Repair Manual – 008-018   Cooling System

CAUTION  The cooling system must be filled properly to prevent air locks, or serious engine damage can result.

Close the radiator drain valve(s).

Install the lower radiator hose(s).

Tighten the hose clamps. Refer to the OEM service manual.

Cummins Inc. recommends the use of either a 50/50 mixture of good-quality water and fully-formulated antifreeze, or fully-formulated coolant when filling the cooling system. The fully-formulated antifreeze or coolant must meet TMC RP329 or TMC RP330 specifications.

Good-quality water is important for cooling system performance. Excessive levels of calcium and magnesium contribute to scaling problems, and excessive levels of chlorides and sulfates cause cooling system corrosion.

Cummins Inc. recommends the use of Fleetguard® ES COMPLEAT™. It is available in glycol forms (ethylene and propylene) and complies with TMC RP329 and RP330 standards.

Refer to Cummins® Coolant Requirement and Maintenance, Bulletin 3666132 for more engine coolant specifications.

CAUTION  Opening the manual bleed valve or removing the pipe plug on applicable installations is critical. Failure to do so can result in engine damage.

NOTE: Some applications can have a manual bleed valve or pipe plug that is required to be opened to properly fill the system. The upper radiator pipe is a common location.

NOTE: Some applications can have a pipe plug installed in place of the manual bleed valve.

If applicable, open the manual bleed valve or remove the pipe plug before filling the cooling system.

NOTE: Refer to the OEM service manual for special coolant fill requirements. Special instructions may also be located near the cooling system access point or fill door on the vehicle.

NOTE: The system has a designed fill rate of 19 liters [5 gal] per minute.

Fill the cooling system with heavy-duty coolant and install the correct service filter.

Identify the correct filter. For automotive applications, use the Signature™ and ISX Operation and Maintenance Manual, Bulletin 3666251.Refer to Procedure 018-004 in Section V.

For industrial applications, use the Industrial and Power Generation QSX15 Engines Operation and Maintenance Manual, Bulletin 3666423. Refer to Procedure 018-004 in Section V.

NOTE: Some radiators have two fill locations, both of which must be filled when the cooling system has been drained.

Fill the cooling system with coolant to the bottom of the fill neck in the radiator fill (or expansion) tank.

CAUTION  Opening the manual bleed valve or removing the pipe plug on applicable installations is critical. Failure to do so can result in engine damage.

If applicable, install the manual bleed valve or the pipe plug after filling the cooling system. Refer to the OEM service manual.

NOTE: All coolant shutoff valves should be returned to their open positions once the system has been refilled and the deaeration process is ready to begin.  Refer to the OEM service manual for specific instructions.

Install the radiator cap or expansion tank fill cap.

Turn the cab heater temperature switch to high to allow maximum coolant flow through the heater core. The blower does not have to be on.

Operate the engine at HIGH IDLE until the thermostat opens, at least 93°C [200°F].

Operate the engine at LOW IDLE for 2 minutes before shutting it down. This allows adequate cool down of pistons, cylinders, bearings, and turbocharger components.

Shut the engine off and allow it to cool.

WARNING  Do not remove the pressure cap from a hot engine. Wait until the coolant temperature is below 50°C [120°F] before removing the pressure cap. Heated coolant spray or steam can cause personal injury.

CAUTION  Do not add cold coolant to a hot engine. This can cause engine casting damage. Allow the engine to cool to below 50°C [120°F] before adding coolant.

NOTE: If all coolant drained from the system was collected, the same volume or more must go back into the system. If any drained coolant remains after filling, this is an indication of an air pocket which must be purged before returning the vehicle to service.

Remove the radiator or expansion tank fill cap and check the coolant level according to the OEM service manual.

Add coolant if necessary. Do not overfill.

CAUTION  The cooling system must be filled properly to prevent air locks, or serious engine damage can result.

Close the radiator drain valve(s).

Install the lower radiator hose(s).

Tighten the hose clamps. Refer to the OEM service manual.

Cummins Inc. recommends the use of either a 50/50 mixture of good-quality water and fully-formulated antifreeze, or fully-formulated coolant when filling the cooling system. The fully-formulated antifreeze or coolant must meet TMC RP329 or TMC RP330 specifications.

Good-quality water is important for cooling system performance. Excessive levels of calcium and magnesium contribute to scaling problems, and excessive levels of chlorides and sulfates cause cooling system corrosion.

Cummins Inc. recommends the use of Fleetguard® ES COMPLEAT™. It is available in glycol forms (ethylene and propylene) and complies with TMC RP329 and RP330 standards.

Refer to Cummins® Coolant Requirement and Maintenance, Bulletin 3666132 for more engine coolant specifications.

CAUTION  Opening the manual bleed valve or removing the pipe plug on applicable installations is critical. Failure to do so can result in engine damage.

NOTE: Some applications can have a manual bleed valve or pipe plug that is required to be opened to properly fill the system. The upper radiator pipe is a common location.

NOTE: Some applications can have a pipe plug installed in place of the manual bleed valve.

If applicable, open the manual bleed valve or remove the pipe plug before filling the cooling system.

NOTE: Refer to the OEM service manual for special coolant fill requirements. Special instructions may also be located near the cooling system access point or fill door on the vehicle.

NOTE: The system has a designed fill rate of 19 liters [5 gal] per minute.

Fill the cooling system with heavy-duty coolant and install the correct service filter.

Identify the correct filter. For automotive applications, use the Signature™ and ISX Operation and Maintenance Manual, Bulletin 3666251.Refer to Procedure 018-004 in Section V.

For industrial applications, use the Industrial and Power Generation QSX15 Engines Operation and Maintenance Manual, Bulletin 3666423. Refer to Procedure 018-004 in Section V.

NOTE: Some radiators have two fill locations, both of which must be filled when the cooling system has been drained.

Fill the cooling system with coolant to the bottom of the fill neck in the radiator fill (or expansion) tank.

CAUTION  The cooling system must be filled properly to prevent air locks or serious engine damage can result.

NOTE: Do not install the radiator cap or expansion tank fill cap. The engine is operated without the cap in this step.

Turn the cab heater temperature switch to high to allow maximum coolant flow through the heater core. The blower does not have to be on.

Wait 2 to 3 minutes without starting engine to allow the system to deaerate and the fluid level to stabilize.

Add coolant to bring the level back to FULL COLD.

CAUTION  Opening the manual bleed valve or removing the pipe plug on applicable installations is critical. Failure to do so can result in engine damage.

If applicable, install the manual bleed valve or the pipe plug after filling the cooling system. Refer to the OEM service manual.

CAUTION  The cooling system must be filled properly to prevent air locks or serious engine damage can result.

NOTE: Do not install the radiator cap or expansion tank fill cap. The engine is operated without the cap in this step.

With the radiator cap or expansion tank fill cap off:

• Operate the engine at LOW IDLE for 2 minutes.
• Turn the engine off and add clean water to bring the level back to FULL COLD.

WARNING  Do not remove the pressure cap from a hot engine. Wait until the coolant temperature is below 50°C [120°F] before removing the pressure cap. Heated coolant spray or steam can cause personal injury.

WARNING  Coolant is toxic. Keep away from children and pets. If not reused, dispose of in accordance with local environmental regulations.

NOTE: All coolant shutoff valves should be returned to their open positions once the system has been refilled and the deaeration process is ready to begin.  Refer to the OEM service manual for specific instructions.

Operate the engine at HIGH IDLE until the thermostat opens, at least 93°C [200°F].

Operate the engine at LOW IDLE for 2 minutes before shutting it down. This allows adequate cool down of pistons, cylinders, bearings, and turbocharger components.

Shut the engine off and allow to cool.

WARNING  Do not remove the pressure cap from a hot engine. Wait until the coolant temperature is below 50°C [120°F] before removing the pressure cap. Heated coolant spray or steam can cause personal injury.

CAUTION  Do not add cold coolant to a hot engine. This can cause engine casting damage. Allow the engine to cool to below 50°C [120°F] before adding coolant.

NOTE: If all coolant drained from the system was collected, the same volume or more must go back into the system. If any drained coolant remains after filling, this is an indication of an air pocket which must be purged before returning the vehicle to service.

Remove the radiator cap or expansion tank fill cap and check the coolant level according to the OEM service manual.

Add coolant if necessary. Do not overfill.

See Figure 1, illustrating the steps of the coolant fill and deaeration process.