Preventive Maintenance Intervals
The following guide establishes preventive maintenance intervals. These recommendations should be followed as closely as possible to obtain long life and optimum performance from your engine. When performed on a regular basis, changing the engine oil, coolant, and filters is the least costly way of obtaining safe and reliable vehicle operation. Added benefits and savings occur when you check that the valves, fuel injectors, oil and cooling circuits are in good working order during oil changes.
The intervals shown apply only to the maintenance functions described. These functions should be coordinated with other regularly scheduled maintenance.
Scheduled Maintenance Intervals
Before placing your new vehicle in service, determine the correct maintenance schedule application for your intended use of the vehicle.
Schedule Use
Complete each maintenance operation at the required interval. The intervals are based on a collaboration of field and fleet data. For a more accurate analysis of when fluids should be changed, such as engine oil, refer to DDCSN for publication Engine Requirements; Lubricating Oil, Fuel and Filters (DDC-SVC-BRO-0001) and publication Coolant Selections for Detroit™ Engines (DDC-SVC-BRO-0002), available from authorized Detroit™ distributors and dealers.
Each maintenance table shows which maintenance operation must be performed at the recommended interval (in miles, kilometers, and hours).
Cooling System Flush and Fill
Proper maintenance of the cooling system is vital to its performance and longevity. The cooling system must, on a constant basis, deal with cavitation, temperature / pressure swings, and continuous threats on the additive package. Once the additives have been depleted from the coolant, it will only be a matter of time until the engine components suffer. Refer to section "Cooling System Fill Procedure".
Cooling System Inspection - Inspect the cooling system as follows:
Warning: HOT COOLANT
To avoid scalding from the expulsion of hot coolant, never remove the cooling system pressure cap while the engine is at operating temperature. Wear adequate protective clothing (face shield, rubber gloves, apron, and boots). Remove the cap slowly to relieve pressure.
- Inspect the radiator, condenser, coolant pump, engine oil cooler, freeze plugs, and heat exchanger for damage and leaks.
- Check all cooling system pipes and hoses for damage and leaks; ensure these components are positioned to avoid chafing and are securely fastened.
- Check the outside of the radiator and condenser for blockage. Check fins for damage; straighten them if necessary.
Valve Lash Checking and Adjustment
Valve lash checking and adjustment should be performed per the maintenance intervals prescribed under the proper service category for the engine. Proper valve lash clearance allows the engine to produce the best possible performance with the lowest emissions. Valve lash adjustments should be performed by an authorized Detroit™ maintenance or repair facility.
Drive Belts
DD Platform engines utilize a specially designed belt material which is exclusive to the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) component. Replacement with an aftermarket part may lead to shortened maintenance intervals and excessive noise.
Drive belts wear differently based on environmental conditions and vehicle duty cycle. If the vehicle is operated in extremely hot or cold climates, or is exposed to significant dust/debris/road salt, lifetime of the belts may be significantly reduced.
Fuel Filters
The prefilter is housed within the fuel filter module. The prefilter element filters particles down to 100 microns and is snapped into the prefilter cap. The final filter is housed within the fuel filter module. The final filter has the task of filtering out particles down to two microns. The final fuel filter snaps into the fuel filter cap on DD5 engines and twists into the cap on DD8 engines.
Air System
The air cleaner restriction indicator (filter minder) should be inspected per the maintenance intervals or more often if the engine is operated under severely dusty conditions. Replace the element if the filter minder has reached maximum allowable restriction. Refer to OEM literature for further details on filter minders.
| Air Cleaner Restriction | |
|---|---|
| GHG17 Medium Duty Platform | 4.5 kPa (18 in. H2O) |
A clogged air cleaner element will cause excessive air intake restriction and reduced air supply to the engine resulting in increased fuel consumption, inefficient engine operation, aftertreatment failure and reduced engine life. High intake restriction will also cause oil pullover from the turbocharger into the charge air system.
Inspect the entire air system for leaks daily. Look especially for torn air inlet piping or boots and loose or damaged clamps. Have worn or damaged parts repaired or replaced. Retighten loose connections.
Periodically inspect the air-to-air charge cooler for buildup of dirt, mud, etc. and wash off using a mild soap solution. Check the charge cooler, ductwork, and flexible connections for leaks and have repaired or replaced, as required.
Exhaust System
The exhaust manifold retaining bolts and other connections should be inspected for leaks. The EGR system should be inspected for leaks periodically. Sealing of the exhaust and EGR system is critical. Have worn or damaged parts repaired or replaced.
Air Compressor
The air compressor incorporates three of the major systems of a diesel engine (air, lubrication, and coolant). Proper inspection of air compressor would include inspecting for air, oil, and coolant leaks. A failed air compressor can create inadequate internal sealing resulting in excessive crankcase pressure, or allowing an engine to ingest oil.
Aftertreatment System (ATS)
There is a need to periodically remove accumulated ash from the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF). All Detroit™ ATS-equipped engines will illuminate a dashboard warning lamp indicating the need for ash cleaning.
Once the DPF has reached maximum ash volume, the recommended service for the DPF is to remove the DPF and replace with a Reliabilt® clean DPF. Using alternate cleaning methods, instead of replacing the DPF at the required interval, may result in the cleaned DPF failing to reach the next ash clean interval. The aftertreatment may experience damage to the DOC, DPF or SCR assemblies as a result of alternate cleaning methods. Cleaning accumulated ash from the DPF is a necessary part of vehicle maintenance.
The DEF filter is considered a maintenance item and will require periodic maintenance.
Vibration Damper
The vibration damper should be inspected periodically and replaced if damaged. Heat from normal engine operation may, over a period of time, cause the vibration damper to break down and lose its dampening properties. For this reason, the vibration damper must be replaced at time of normal major engine overhaul, regardless of apparent condition.