Foton with Perkins 1004-T engine

[Transit]

I spent four hours brush hogging an overgrown field this weekend with the new Foton 704, the coolant temperature was rock solid at 175 deg F. Just out of curiosity I took a reading with a IR heat gun at the upper radiator connection at the engine, 160 Deg F. The engine was 15 Deg cooler than indicated on the gauge. Now this is where things get strange, normally you would find the upper radiator hose connected to Thermostat Housing at the engine and the temperature sensor near by. The Perkins 1004-T, 70 hp turbocharged engine, dose not appear to have a Thermostat Housing, the upper hose is connected to a iron casting bolted to the engine head and the temperature sensor is on the side of the engine block, very strange. I'm not sure where the T-stat is, nothing looks like I would expect. I also notice that the coolant is not as fresh-clean as I would expect, signs of an oily film and some light rust.

What crossed my mind is to keep running the engine hard, at 160 deg F is that too cold for the 1004-T?

Researching Engine Flushing, I came across some pro truck sites that suggest using Dish Soap to dissolve the oil in the cooling system, some say a few drops of Liquid dish soap, and some say a spoon of Powered Dishwasher soap.

I have used liquid dish soap for its degreasing qualities to clean things; powered dishwasher soap also has the same abilities. However, powered dishwasher soap contains solids to scrub pots and pans clean, usually clay, that would break lose any scale in the engine. I don't know how that would react with the water pump seal.
Powered soap has been suggested by TRUCK mechanics, some say they have used it for years.

 

[Rich Waugh]

Dunno about the temps, that would be specific to the Perkins, I suppose. Still, 160F seems low - ain't gonna cook the water outta the oil, is it? Something to think about.

Since the coolant folks spend so much on research to develop radiator flushing compounds, I'd go with one of them before I used detergent that was researched to wash dishes. Your mileage may vary, of course.

Rich

 

[Bob Rooks]

Yeah, don't ever use liquid dish soap in a cooling system, you will be a loooong time rinsing it out. Powdered Cascade brand is the detergent of choice around here for cooling systems (high alkalinity, non foaming/sudsing, easily flushed. You can also get it with the Caterpillar label for $$$ more.)
Temp seems low for a modern engine with Tier III emissions compliance, may want to check your sensor and do a good chemical flush & rinse, and recheck the temp.