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Winterizing Your Vehicle * Canada - Hot tips for
Canada -Truck News -14 Dec 2007: -- As the cold weather approaches, fleets and owner/operators will begin to winterize their vehicles, especially against air system freeze-ups. Here are some basic tips for optimum cold weather operation from brake system experts.
* Engine Idle: Avoid idling the engine for extended periods of time.
* Discharge Lines: The discharge line should slope downward from the compressor discharge port without forming water traps, kinks, or restrictions.
* System Leakage: Check the air brake system for excessive leakage using your brake system's troubleshooting guide.
* Reservoir Draining (System without an air dryer): Routine reservoir draining is the most basic step (although not completely effective) in reducing the possibility of freeze-up.
* Alcohol Evaporator or Injector Systems: Using an alcohol evaporator or injector in conjunction with an air dryer is not recommended.
* Air Dryers: Proper air dryer operation is critical to helping your system run clean and dry.
* Thawing Frozen Air Lines: Here are some simple Do's and Don'ts for prevention and thawing:
Do
- Check the air dryer for proper operation, changing the desiccant cartridge and purge valve as necessary.
- Thaw out frozen air lines and valves by placing the vehicle in a warmed building. This is the only method for thawing that will not cause damage to the air system or its components.
- Use dummy hose couplings on the tractor and trailer.
- Check for drooping air lines, which could form water traps.
Don't
- Do not apply an open flame to air lines or valves. This practice is unsafe and can result in a vehicle fire. It can also damage the valve and melt the air lines.
- Do not pour fluids into air lines or glad hands. Certain fluids can cause immediate and severe damage to rubber components. Even methanol, which is used in alcohol evaporators and injectors, should not be poured into air lines. Fluids poured into the system wash lubricants out of valves, collect in brake chambers and valves, and can cause malfunction. Loss of lubricant can affect valve operating characteristics, accelerate wear and cause premature replacement.
- Do not immediately park a vehicle outside after thawing its air system indoors. Condensation will form in the system and re-freeze. Place the vehicle in operation when it is removed to the outdoors.
* Supporting Air and Electrical Lines: Ensure tie wraps are replaced and support brackets are re-attached, if removed... (Video from YouTube, by scrapingthebarrel -June 16, 2007: "Ice Road Trucking. Stuck in the snow". One of the Winter Roads Gold Crew, stuck on a hill in Northwestern Ontario)
Labels: Cold Weather
posted by Unknown @ 6:35 AM
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