What to do if the excavator antifreeze leaks?

In-depth exploration of the root cause of the leak

Water tank failure: As a key component for storing antifreeze, the water tank is a common source of leakage. The welds of the water tank are prone to cracking due to the long-term vibration caused by the engine and the influence of thermal expansion and contraction, which leads to "excavator antifreeze leakage". According to relevant maintenance data statistics, about 30% of antifreeze leakage cases are caused by cracking of the water tank welds. In addition, corrosion inside the water tank is also a major hidden danger. When the water tank is corroded and perforated, antifreeze will seep out from here. This is usually due to the use of inferior antifreeze or failure to replace the antifreeze on time, resulting in chemical erosion of the inner wall of the water tank. ​

Aging and rupture of water pipes: The water pipes connecting the water tank and the engine work in a long-term high temperature and high pressure environment, and the material will gradually age and become brittle. In particular, some rubber water pipes, as the use time increases, their flexibility decreases and they are prone to rupture. Once the water pipe ruptures, the antifreeze will leak out along the cracks, which is also a common cause of "excavator antifreeze leakage". Moreover, if the joints of the water pipes are not sealed tightly, antifreeze will also leak. For example, if the clamps connecting the water pipes to the water tank and the engine are loose, the water pipes cannot be effectively tightened, resulting in gaps at the joints and antifreeze leaking out. ​

Failure of water pump seal: The water pump is responsible for circulating coolant in the cooling system of the excavator, and its sealing performance is crucial. When the seal of the water pump is worn or aged, antifreeze will leak from the seal. During long-term operation, the impeller of the water pump will produce a certain amount of friction on the seal, and over time, the sealing effect of the seal will be greatly reduced. This "excavator antifreeze leakage" problem caused by water pump seal failure is more common when the excavator has been used for a long time. ​

2. Accurately detect the leakage location ​

Appearance inspection method: When the excavator antifreeze is suspected to be leaking, the appearance inspection can be performed first. Carefully observe whether there are traces of antifreeze in the engine compartment, around the water tank, and under the chassis. Antifreeze is usually colored (usually green, blue or red) and has a certain viscosity. After leakage, it will leave obvious stains on the surface of the component. If you find traces of liquid on the outside of the water tank, you can further check whether there are leaks at the welds and water pipe joints of the water tank. At the same time, pay attention to check the surface of the engine body to see if there are signs of antifreeze dripping, because some leaks may be more hidden and require patience to find. ​

Pressure test method: If the leak location cannot be determined by appearance inspection, the pressure test method can be used. Use a special cooling system pressure tester and connect it to the filling port of the water tank. By applying a certain pressure to the cooling system, simulate the pressure state of the cooling system when the engine is working. If there is a leak in the system, the pressure will drop rapidly, and bubbles or liquid can be observed at the leak point. This method can accurately detect the specific location of the "excavator antifreeze leak", especially for some tiny leaks, the effect is more significant. ​

Dye detection method: In some cases, the leak point may be difficult to detect, and the dye detection method can be used at this time. Add a special cooling system dye to the antifreeze, start the excavator and let the engine run for a while. Since the dye will circulate with the antifreeze, once a leak occurs, the leak will show the color of the dye, making it easier to find the leak. This method is very effective for detecting hidden leaks, such as fine cracks inside the water tank, and is one of the important means of "excavator antifreeze leak detection". ​

3. Emergency response to leaks ​

Shut down immediately: Once the excavator antifreeze leak is found, the engine should be stopped immediately. Continuing to let the engine work may cause the engine to overheat due to insufficient antifreeze, which may lead to more serious failures, such as engine cylinder pulling and piston jamming. After stopping, move the excavator to a safe and flat place to avoid subsequent operations on slopes or dangerous areas. ​

Prevent scalding: When dealing with leaks, pay attention to prevent scalding. Because the antifreeze temperature in the cooling system is high after the engine is working. Even after stopping, there may still be high-temperature liquid. When checking and handling the leak, be sure to wait for a while to allow the antifreeze temperature to drop before operating. Wear protective gloves to avoid direct contact with high-temperature liquids. ​

Temporary plugging measures: If repairs cannot be performed immediately on site, some temporary plugging measures can be taken. For small cracks in the water tank welds or water pipes, plugging agents can be used for temporary plugging. Add the plugging agent to the antifreeze according to the requirements of the instructions, start the engine and let it circulate for a while. The plugging agent will fill the cracks under pressure and temporarily prevent the antifreeze from leaking. For more serious water pipe ruptures, rubber leather, iron wire and other materials can be used for simple bundling to reduce the amount of antifreeze leakage, but this is only a temporary emergency measure, and damaged parts still need to be replaced in time later. ​

4. Effectively prevent leakage ​

Regular inspection and maintenance: Regularly conducting a comprehensive inspection of the excavator's cooling system is the key to preventing "excavator antifreeze leakage". Check the condition of components such as the water tank, water pipe, and water pump every certain number of working hours (generally recommended 200-300 hours). Check whether the water tank is corroded, whether the weld is cracked, whether the water pipe is aged, whether the joint is loose, whether the sealing performance of the water pump is good, etc. Timely discovery and treatment of potential problems can effectively avoid leakage accidents.
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Use high-quality antifreeze: Choosing a reliable quality antifreeze is essential to protect the cooling system. High-quality antifreeze has good anti-corrosion and anti-scaling properties, which can effectively reduce damage to components such as water tanks and water pipes. Avoid using inferior antifreeze. Inferior products not only fail to provide good protection, but may also accelerate the aging and corrosion of cooling system components, increasing the risk of "excavator antifreeze leakage". At the same time, according to the regulations of the excavator manufacturer, the antifreeze should be replaced regularly. Generally, it is recommended to replace it once a year or every 2,000 hours of work. ​

Avoid excessive use and high-temperature operation: During the operation of the excavator, the working time should be arranged reasonably to avoid long-term continuous operation causing engine overheating. Excessive use of the engine will cause the cooling system to be in a high-load state for a long time, increasing the probability of component damage. Especially when working in a high-temperature environment, more attention should be paid to the heat dissipation of the engine. You can increase the rest time appropriately to allow the engine enough time to cool down, and at the same time ensure that the fan, radiator and other components of the cooling system work normally to maintain a good heat dissipation effect, thereby reducing the possibility of "excavator antifreeze leakage".

In short, facing the problem of "excavator antifreeze leakage", we need to have a deep understanding of its causes, master accurate detection methods, take effective emergency measures in time, and do daily preventive work. Only in this way can we ensure the normal operation of the excavator's cooling system, ensure the stable operation of the engine, and improve the efficiency and safety of engineering operations. ​

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