DETROIT DIESEL 53
Preventive Maintenance 15.1
Item 1
Check the oil level daily before starling 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 133.3.
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
Install new engine oil filter elements and gaskets each
Items 1 and 2
time the engine oil is changed. Check for oil leaks after
starting the engine. 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
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 be
lengthened until, normally, this cleaning is done only in
the spring or fall. The length of this interval will,
however, depend upon an inspection for rust or other
deposits on the internal walls of the cooling system.
When a thorough cleaning of the cooling system is
required, it should be reverse-flushed.
Items 3 and 4
Item 4
every 500 hours or 15,000 miles for signs of
Inspect all of the cooling system hoses at least once
deterioration. Replace the hoses if necessary.
1972 General Motors Corp
July, 1972
SEC. 15.1 Page 3
