DETROIT DIESEL 53
Preventive Maintenance
15.1
Item 1
Check the oil level daily before starting the engine.
Add oil, if necessary, to bring it to the proper level on
the dipstick.
Select the proper grade of oil in accordance with the
instructions in the Lubricating Oil Specifications in
Section 13.3.
It is recommended that new engines be started with
100 hour oil change periods. For highway vehicles. this
corresponds to approximately 3,000 miles, and for city-
service vehicles approximately 1,000-2,000 miles. The
drain interval may then be gradually increased, or
decreased, following the recommendations of an
independent oil analysis laboratory or the oil supplier
(based upon the oil sample analysis) until the most
practical oil change period has been established.
Item 2
Change the engine oil filter elements and gaskets each
time the engine oil is changed. Any deviation, such as
Items 3 and 4
changing filters every other oil change, should be
based on a laboratory analysis of the drained oil and
used filter elements to determine if such practice is
visual check of all lubricating oil lines for wear and
practical for proper protection of the engine. Make a
chafing. If any indication of wear is evident, replace
the oil lines and correct the cause.
When the engine is equipped with a turbocharger, pre-
lubricate it as outlined under Install Turbocharger in
Section 3.5.
If the engine is equipped with a governor oil filter,
change the element every 1,000 hours.
Item 3
Check the coolant level daily and maintain it near the
top of the heat exchanger tank or the radiator upper
tank.
Clean the cooling system every 1,000 hours or 30,000
miles using a good radiator cleaning compound in
accordance with the instructions on the container.
After the cleaning operation, rinse the cooling system
thoroughly with fresh water. Then fill the system with
soft water, adding a good grade of rust inhibitor or a
high boiling point type antifreeze (refer to Engine
Coolant in Section 13.3). With the use of a proper
antifreeze or rust inhibitor, this interval may he
lengthened until, normally, this cleaning is done only
Items 1 and 2
in the spring or fall. The length of this interval will,
however, depend upon an inspection for rust or other
SEC. 15.1 Page 3
April, 1974
