58
CONSTRUCTION WORLD
JUNE
2014
EQUIPMENT
>
Cummins – a global leader in the
manufacture, sales and servicing
of diesel engines and related tech-
nology – distributes a range of
Fleetguard coolants which protect engine
components from cooling system problems.
Cummins technical sales manager for the
mining division Gerald Annandale notes that
coolant is composed of three components,
namely: water content, ethylene glycol and a
chemical portion.
“The coolant is an integral part of vehicle
engine maintenance. Its water content
portion cools down the engine, while the
ethylene glycol forms the anti-freeze portion
of the mixture. The smallest, but arguably the
most important component is the chemical
make-up of the coolant which protects the
internal surfaces of the engine,” he explains.
The cooling system of a vehicle comprises
of a number of different types of metal, which
results in sensitivity to corrosion.
Annandale adds that although the
radiator is an important component of the
cooling system it is only able to do so much.
"With the radiator cap on, the system is pres-
surised, and the boiling point of the water
rises slightly. When a high quality coolant
with a sufficient amount of ethylene glycol
compound is used, it will only boil at 108 °C,
thereby improving the boiling point of the
water, as well as lowering the freezing point.”
Water makes up an extremely important
part of a vehicle’s cooling system, however,
if ordinary tap water is used it could be detri-
mental to the life of the vehicles cooling
system. "Chemicals such as chlorine are
commonly added to water to make it safe
for human consumption. These chemicals
not only disrupt the chemical makeup of
the coolant, but also have the propensity to
rust the different components of the cooling
system. It is for this reason that long-life
pre-diluted coolants such as ES Complete
were formulated," states Annandale.
Some industrial operations even make
use of borehole water, which is often calcium
enriched or hard, leading to calcium deposits
forming in the engine.
ES Compleat Glycerin pre-diluted coolant
is a new and innovative heavy duty engine
coolant made with Glycerin, a raw material
derived from renewable energy sources,
such as a by-product of biodiesel manufac-
turing. Glycerin is used in place of ethylene
glycol (EG) or propylene glycol (PG), ensuring
environmental responsibility with green
products that continue to provide superior
engine protection.
According to Annandale, a good vehicle
cooling system maintenance programme
VEHICLE
COOLANTS
It is estimated that up to
40% of all engine failures,
which lead to costly repairs
and unnecessary downtime,
are related to problems that
stem from the cooling system.
Coolants have, therefore,
become of paramount
importance when it comes to
effective vehicle maintenance.
Coolants can be tested effortlessly and
accurately with a refractometer, which is
supplied by Cummins.
should include regular testing of the coolant.
“It is recommended that a cooling system
test is completed every 30 000 km in order
to check the quality of the vehicle’s coolant,
and to determine any contamination. One of
the most neglected parts of an engine system
is the cooling system, and the only way to
recover from a failure is to overhaul the
engine, which is immensely costly.”
Coolants can be tested effortlessly and
accurately with either a refractometer or with
coolant quality test strips, both of which are
supplied by Cummins. The Fleetguard Refrac-
tometer is a fast, easy way to determine the
freeze point protection of both Ethylene
Glycol and Propylene Glycol coolants.
It is more accurate than most test strips
and float-type hydrometers, it is also easy
to use. A drop of coolant from the cooling
system is placed on to the refractometer
window and the lid is shut. By simply looking
through the eyepiece, one is able to record
the freeze point protection of the coolant.
“The Cummins range of Fleetguard
coolant products have been formulated for
use in heavy duty vehicles. Diesel engines
today are highly efficient, but also stressed
and need to be looked after. Coolant plays a
vital part in this vehicle maintenance, as it is
more cost effective to buy a quality coolant,
than to replace an engine after a failure due to
poor maintenance,” Annandale concludes.
BELOW:
Should the cooling system have not been
regularly maintained, Restore will highlight any
leaks or problems.
