Big Rig Basics
July 2009 30 TrucKers News July 2009 30 TrucKers News R eefer-unit service intervals vary from 1,000 to 3,000 hours. Late-model units use a combination full-flow and bypass filter and CJ-4 oil, allowing the longer interval. Older units can be retrofitted with new oil- and fuel-filter mounts, new oil and new filters to permit the longer 3,000-hour interval. At the CSTK dealership in Vine-land, N.J., Technician Jeff Vertolli, Service Manager Gary Smith and Di-rector of Service Operations Don Pe-terson ran us through a complete servicing process for a late model SB series design with a 4-cylinder Yan-mar direct injection diesel. Unit life is greatly affected by proper oil and oil filter changes, as well as fuel and air filter changes, Peterson says. A To change the oil, make sure the engine is hot, shut it down and slide a hose onto the brass drain valve. b Place a drain pan underneath and rotate the valve a quarter turn with a wrench or screwdriver. At the same time, spin the oil filter off. Make sure the gasket comes off with the filter. Lube the gasket on the new filter with clean engine oil and install the filter hand tight. c Rotate the drain valve back to the closed position, then fill the crankcase with oil by removing either the yellow filler cap or orange dipstick cap. Start the engine to cir-culate the oil. Make sure you get full pressure and that there are no leaks. Jeff Vertolli says leaks at the dipstick cap in the crankcase often can be prevented by properly cleaning the circular seat where the dipstick cap seals. d Change the spin-on fuel filter and prime it with clean fuel. Peterson says the best procedure is to pour the priming fuel down the outside holes so it will be filtered before entering the system. There is also a strainer by the fuel pump that should be cleaned at this time. Also change the air cleaner, located just to the right of the fuel filter. Loosen the hose clamp and discon-nect the intake hose, then twist the filter counterclockwise to unlock it and pull it off. Use a quality replace-ment filter whose filter and cap are sealed. Twist the new filter on tight, then install the hose and tighten the clamp. Vertolli recommends Reefer Sanity Careful maintenance keeps repair madness at bay Big rig Basics John BaxteR A b