Front cover off, what next

[ARedetzke]

I'm getting ready for vacation, and the past 2 years I've had trouble overheating towing out to Colorado in the August heat. This year I decided to take out the radiator and get it cleaned/rodded out (fan clutch has already been replaced). Well after a few beers I decided that since I had gone that far I might as well get the intercooler out, and get it cleaned and pressure tested. Got that done and after a few more decided that there would never be a better time to check on the KDP, so I took the front cover off. KDP had come out some, not actually protruding, but was flush with the case. Got that hammered back in, and I'm ordering the tab tomorrow. Since I've got some time to kill, and only a topless jeep to drive as it rains like a SOB, does anyone have any tips on stuff to check before I button this thing back up. I've heard something about some bolts to check on, they tend to work loose? Can anyone tell me exactly what I'm looking for there? Any other tips?

TIA

AJ

 

[MMiller]

Check the bolts behind the cam gear. I am assuming that there are holes in the gear to get at the bolts. I have heard that these can come loose, some people have found them loose. We also find these loose on come Cat engines, so that ain't just a cummins thing.



Michael

 

[ARedetzke]

I assume its safe to turn the motor over by hand with the cover off?

 

[MMiller]

I wouldn't know why not, the front cover doesn't retain any thing but oil, right? I will admit, I haven't seen the inside of mine yet, maybe someone else can definitly answer this question.

 

[ARedetzke]

That's the way I see it, but I thought I would check. BTW, you don't have to drain the oil to get the cover off. I didn't and didn't lose any.

 

[boatpuller]

Haven't done mine yet but it's my understanding that it's not just the bolts under the cam gear, all the bolts inside that cover need to be checked and tightened at a minimum or removed locktited and tightened.

 

[MMiller]

What I was getting at is the front cover just keeps oil in when the engine is running, it doesn't hold any gears etc. Sorry for the confusion.



Michael

 

[tugboatphil]

In regards to the fan clutch, what exactly is checked? How do you know if it's good or not?

 

[ARedetzke]

Well when it works, it sounds like an airplane trying to take off under the hood. If you haven't ever heard that, it probably doesn't work. Also if you take it off and find oil leaking from around the spring on the front, that is another indicator of a bad fan clutch. Oh yeah, good luck taking it off, they're a pain. I recommend a strap wrench, BFH, PB Blaster, a big punch, and a large pair of channel locks (unless you have end wrenches that big, which I don't..... yet)

AJ

 

[dpuckett]

Fan removal

You can also take the 4 bolts off that hold the fan pulley and carefully take it out as an assembly. Lot easier than trying to keep the pulley still, and turn the big honkin nut with a 12" Channel Lock. If it can come out of my crowded front end (bigger rad, and most of the difference is in the rear side of it making about 1/4" between the fan and rad).



ARedetzke- I have another suggestion for your vacation this year- take me with you and drop me off in ColoSpgs. :-laf



Daniel

 

[ARedetzke]

Daniel

I hadn't thought of taking the whole thing off, probably would have been a little easier. There's no room in the truck, but if you want you can ride in one of the jeeps on the flatbed! We're not going to the Springs, but we'll be as close as Pueblo. Headed up to the Salida area for a little 4-wheelin'

AJ