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Home›Repair guides›Caterpillar›Clean Cooling System

Caterpillar 3406 — Clean Cooling System

Maintenance

For the Caterpillar 3406, from the Caterpillar operator's manual.

Applies to: Caterpillar 3406

Before you start

  • At Operating Temperature, engine coolant is hot and under pressure.
  • Steam can cause personal injury.
  • Cooling System Conditioner contains alkali. Avoid contact with skin and eyes to prevent personal injury.
  • Use all cleaning solutions with care.
  • Never add coolant to an overheated engine; allow the engine to cool first.

Procedure

  1. Loosen the radiator cap slowly to release the pressure. Remove the radiator cap.
  2. Remove the cooling system drain plug, and allow the coolant to drain.
  3. Install the drain plug. Fill the system with cleaning solution.
  4. Start and run engine for 1/2 hour. Stop the engine and drain cleaning solution.
  5. Flush the system with clean water until the draining water is clean. Do not run the engine while flushing.
  6. Install the drain plugs. Fill the system with neutralizing solution.
  7. Start and run the engine for 10 minutes. Stop the engine and drain neutralizing solution.
  8. Flush the system with clean water, until the draining water is clean. Do not run the engine while flushing.
  9. Install the drain plug.
  10. Add the correct amount of Caterpillar Cooling System Conditioner, or equivalent, so that the cooling system will have a 3% concentration. Add 1 pint (.50 liters) for each 4 gal. (15.14 liters) of cool
  11. To help avoid air locks, add coolant slowly, at 5 U.S. gallons (19 liters) per minute or less.
  12. Add antifreeze solution. See REFILL CAPACITIES.
  13. Start and run the engine with the radiator cap removed. Allow coolant to warm and level to stabilize.
  14. Add coolant, if necessary, to bring the coolant level to the bottom of the fill pipe.
  15. Observe condition of the radiator cap gasket. Replace if it is damaged.

Specs & values

  • 1 pint (.50 liters) for each 4 gal. (15.14 liters) of coolant for 3% concentration.
  • Add coolant slowly, at 5 U.S. gallons (19 liters) per minute or less.

Full service-parts list: Caterpillar 3406 →

Source: Caterpillar operator's manual. Steps and values are as documented; always cross-check against the official manual and any later revisions for your exact serial number before servicing.

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