SPQ13 Patrick

This week I spent some time researching the use of ELC (Extended Life Coolant) such as Peak Final Charge in a Navistar 7.3 indirect-injection motor. Most ELC coolants use organic acid technology to prevent cavitation and corrosion. I did a quick google search (Otherwise known as the rumor mill) on the topic and was unable to find anything conclusive... Everyone's buddy had problems with ELC coolant deteriorating gaskets and seals but somehow this "buddy" never voiced his own opinion. Upon further research I found a TSB on the topic. In International's compatibility testing they found that all engines manufactured pre-02/02/1999 or serial number 940614 should not use ELC coolants due to injector cup deterioration and seal failure. This TSB however only applies to the 7.3 powerstroke engines and I failed to find any research on it's use in the 7.3 idi (The forerunner to the powerstroke) or if there are any required updates for its use. I've contacted Peak (Coolant product manufacturer) and I'm waiting for a reply on the compatibilty of their products.

I completed CAT Basics C & D And I watched the Lethal Strike video.

Week: 42
Total: 136

SPQ13 Patrick

This week I re-learned that you always always put the bolts back in the hole that they come out of while you have something disassembled. I changed the water pump on my 7.3 idi and I tried to save a little time... That mistake added over an hour to what should have been a 3 hour job (Because Ford just had to use metric and SAE bolts). I completed sections A & B in Cat Basics.

I also replaced the king pins in a Freightliner FLD. This was the first time that I had used a "Kaiser Qwik Kit". The spiral "no-ream" bushings are a very unique design.

Hours for the week: 47

Total: 94

SPQ13 Patrick

This week I learned how to track a short to ground in an electrical system using a light bulb. I had always used an ohmmeter and a pair of side cutters before which can be hugely frustrating. I also took apart a Haldex automatic slack adjuster to figure out how they work. The gear in the first picture has a spring wound against/inside the washer with a stop so that it turns freely in one direction and locks up in the other. A linkage turns the plate on the front of the slack adjuster when it moves out of the specified adjustment range (In this case 2"). The plate has a notch on it that moves a spring loaded arm that turns the gear tightening the adjustment.

Hours for the week - 47

Total for quarter - 47

Weekly post

I worked 40 hours this week and 461.75 this quarter. I learned how frustrating brakes can be on a forklift. I had to pull the hubs/drums and file a bevel on the brake shoes so that they would stop grabbing. The shoes had worn down past the factory bevel and would lock up the brakes even with a light foot (Sending whatever pallet sliding off the forks = $$$). The boss was quite impressed that I was able to figure out how to fix it without replacing any parts (To make a long story short... I just got a pay raise)

Weekly

40 hours this week and 421.75 for the quarter. I spent most of the week grading the loading yard with the Case after getting 100+ yards of gravel delivered. I learned that you should always let people know what you're doing too... I used one of our trucks to pack in the gravel and the office staff was confused (I spent a few hours driving back and forth in the loading yard).

Weekly post

Well, I got my tractor running smoothly after a quick valve adjustment. This is a 1950 John Deere "A" that I restored as a senior project at Stanwood High School (It also just happens to be For Sale if you happen to have $4,500 laying around)

I worked 39 hours this week and 381.75 for the quarter. I also got that forklift running yesterday after discovering a bent push rod (Not sure what happened there but it runs a lot better on all four cylinders). Ended up pulling the valve cover with the engine running to find that (All of the valves were moving except the exhaust valve on cylinder number two).

Pictures this time

40 hours this week and 342.75 hours for this quarter. I learned this week how frustrating a misadjusted 5th wheel latch can be and I got started swapping engines in a forklift. There's a few pictures from last week too.