Cooling System Checking: Radiator; Cooling System Checking: Radiator Cap - Cub Cadet 6X4 Shop Handbook

Chapter 8 - Caterpillar Engine and Related Systems
6.

Cooling system checking: radiator

See Figure 8.68.
Look for corrosion or
blockages within the core.
Figure 8.68
6a. A fair indication of the radiator's internal
condition can be obtained by simply look-
ing into it through the filler neck opening
one of the hose connections.
• Corrosion can be seen through any opening in
the radiator. It is usually evenly distributed.
• Other blockages may be seen through the fan-
switch port or by removing the hose and looking
in the hose necks.
• If heavier corrosion is found at the bottom of the
radiator, it will usually have been accelerated by
mineral fall-out. The mineral content of the
water used in the coolant is too high, and the
source should not be used further for cooling
systems.
• Silicate fall-out can be seen at the bottom of the
radiator. If inappropriate coolants have been
used they will leave residue in the bottom of the
radiator, reducing cooling efficiency.
• Fall-out: when something is successfully dis-
solved in a liquid, it is said to be held in suspen-
sion (solids) or solution (liquids). Water and
other liquids have the capacity to hold a certain
amount of solids in suspension. The amount
varies with the liquid and the temperature.
When that amount is exceeded, the solids "fall-
out" of suspension.
6b. In most cases, with aluminum radiators, if
there is enough corrosion to effect cooling
performance, the only viable choice is to
replace the radiator.
7.

Cooling system checking: radiator cap

See Figure 8.69.
7a. The cap can be tested using a commer-
cially available tester and a 45mm adap-
tor that also fits Toyota, Mitsubishi, and
Subaru cars as well as water-cooled
Honda motorcycles (eg. Stant TA 20)
7b. The cap should build pressure to the 13-
14 PSI range (0.9 Bar.), then release.
8. Cooling system checking: system leakage.
See Figure 8.70.
NOTE: A cooling system pressure tester
should be standard equipment in any shop that
works on liquid-cooled engines.
246
Pressure-test cap:
It should release at
13-14 PSI (0.9 Bar)
Figure 8.69
Figure 8.70