324E Excavator Cooling System Coolant (ELC) - Change Caterpillar

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Engine hood and engine hood parts can be hot while engine is running or immediately after engine shutdown. Hot parts or hot components can cause burns or personal injury. Do not allow these parts to contact your skin, when engine is running or immediately after engine shutdown. Use protective clothing or protective equipment to protect your skin.

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Personal injury can result from hot coolant, steam and alkali. At operating temperature, engine coolant is hot and under pressure. The radiator and all lines to heaters or the engine contain hot coolant or steam. Any contact can cause severe burns. Remove cooling system pressure cap slowly to relieve pressure only when engine is stopped and cooling system pressure cap is cool enough to touch with your bare hand. Do not attempt to tighten hose connections when the coolant is hot, the hose can come off causing burns. Cooling System Coolant Additive contains alkali. Avoid contact with skin and eyes.

Note: This machine was filled at the factory with Cat Extended Life Coolant.

If the coolant in the machine is changed to Extended Life Coolant from another type of coolant, see Special Publication, SEBU6250, "AVSpare Machine Fluids Recommendations".

1. Unlatch the engine hood and raise the engine hood.

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Illustration 1	g02153073

2. Slowly loosen the pressure cap that is on the coolant reservoir in order to release pressure from the cooling system.

3. Remove the pressure cap.

4. Inspect the gasket of the cooling system pressure cap. If the gasket is damaged, replace the pressure cap.

Note: Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "General Hazard Information" for information that pertains to containing fluid spillage.

5. Open the rear access door on the left side of the machine.

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Illustration 2	g02019836

6. Open the drain valve and allow the coolant to drain into a suitable container. The drain valve is located on the bottom of the radiator.

7. Flush the cooling system. Follow Step 7.a through Step 7.h in order to flush the cooling system.

   1. Close the drain valve.

   2. Fill the cooling system with clean water.

   3. Install the pressure cap.

   4. Start the engine and run the engine until the engine reaches operating temperature.

   5. Stop the engine and allow the engine to cool.

   6. Loosen the pressure cap slowly in order to relieve any pressure in the cooling system.

   7. Open the drain valve that is on the bottom of the radiator and allow the coolant to drain into a suitable container.

   8. Flush the radiator with clean water until the draining water is transparent.

8. Close the drain valve.

9. Add the Extended Life Coolant. Refer to the following topics:
   • Special Publication, SEBU6250, "AVSpare Machine Fluids Recommendations"

   • Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Capacities (Refill)"

10. After the cooling system has been filled, perform the following procedures during initial start-up:

    1. Start the engine without the filler cap.

    2. Run the engine at low idle for 10 minutes.

    3. Then, increase the engine speed to a high idle until the water temperature regulator is open and the coolant level is stabilized.

    4. Maintain the coolant at the proper level as the water temperature regulator opens and the air is purged from the system. Refer to Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Cooling System Coolant Level - Check".

11. Install the cooling system pressure cap.

12. Stop the engine.

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Illustration 3	g02153074
(1) "FULL" (2) "LOW"

13. Check the coolant reservoir. Maintain the coolant level between "FULL" mark (1) and "LOW" mark (2) .

14. If additional coolant is necessary, remove the pressure cap and add the appropriate coolant solution.

15. Install the pressure cap.

16. Close the engine hood and latch the engine hood. Close the left access door.