FLEETRUNNER HEAVY-DUTY WATER PUMPS

Water pumps are critical components that keep liquid flowing through the coolant system. Gates has been manufacturing them for passenger vehicles for many years. Moreover, we have a successful track record in supplying?heavy-duty water pumps?in markets such as the US and Canada.

Relying on that extensive product expertise and our OE pedigree in the truck and bus sector in general, we will be expanding our FleetRunner range in October. Thus, we will ensure that trucks and buses on?EMEA?roads will also be able to use and rely on Gates heavy-duty water pumps.

RELIABLE, HIGH-QUALITY COMPONENTS

FleetRunner heavy-duty water pumps will consist of?mechanical?and?electromagnetic clutch?types:

[mechanical Water Pump]

Each water pump unit will be made from premium-grade materials and will conform with ISO/TS 16949 and other?international standards. We can ensure this through our use of computer-tooled manufacturing processes and strict quality controls on our assembly lines. Moreover, we have a rigorous leak-testing program in place for all seals, bearings, and individual casings. A precisely balanced impeller ensures OE fit and function.

The heavy-duty water pumps in the FleetRunner range will only strengthen our reputation for providing?reliable, high-quality components.

GATES INTEGRATED SYSTEMS APPROACH

The launch of our FleetRunner heavy-duty water pumps fits in squarely with the Gates?integrated systems approach. This approach promotes the use of same-manufacturer components, to ensure user safety, optimal performance, and minimal downtime.

FleetRunner heavy-duty water pumps will be ideal for a preventive maintenance strategy. You will be able to conduct a complete accessory belt drive system overhaul, using only heavy-duty parts by Gates. For instance, it is best practice to?replace the thermostat?when installing a new water pump when the water pump also contains the thermostat housing(s).

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[Thermostats]

1. THE PURPOSE OF HEAVY-DUTY WATER PUMPS

Internal combustion engines?burn fossil fuels to release power, but only about one-third of this energy is used to move the vehicle. The remaining two-thirds end up as excess heat, with modern diesel engines even generating more heat than previous models. One-third of that heat escapes through the exhaust system, while the remaining third heats up the engine components.

To?absorb this excess heat?that has been retained within the engine, a heat transfer fluid is required. This fluid circulates through the cooling system, thereby transferring the heat to the radiator, which dissipates it through cooling fins into the atmosphere. It is the?water pump’s role?to ensure coolant flow is maintained within this system.

2. COOLING SYSTEM AND WATER PUMP MAINTENANCE

40% to 50% of the engine downtime is related to failures within the coolant system. Hence, correct?system maintenance?is key to preventing costly repairs and ensuring that the water pump can circulate coolant through the system effectively. Such maintenance includes:

• cooling system flushing
• checking coolant condition (concentration, and therefore freezing point – using a refractometer such as the Gates 91001, and checking pH with a test meter or pH strips)
• installing a new coolant filter

?Even if coolant filter(s) are incorporated in the system, it is still best practice?periodically to drain and flush the system. Although filters can capture larger particles of contaminant, sediment can still accumulate in the system. We cannot underline enough the importance of?flushing out the cooling system?– not only during the maintenance but after the component installation as well. Inadequate flushing can ruin a newly installed water pump, resulting in warranty problems.

Not only does deposit sediment act as an insulator, retaining heat in the system and preventing its dissipation, but the sediment can also find its way into the water pump. There it causes damage to the faces of the?mechanical seal?and, subsequently, continuous weepage from the pump.?

It is easy to prevent system contamination (hence damage to the mechanical seals) by performing?a complete cooling system flush?with the PowerClean? Flush Tool. This user-friendly tool dislodges accumulated sludge and scale deposits without using harsh chemicals.

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[Flush tool]

?The?benefits of a clean cooling system?speak for themselves:

• more efficient engine cooling
• quicker engine warm-up
• better fuel consumption
• longer-lasting components
• reduced comebacks
• increased customer confidence

3. SUPPLEMENTAL COOLANT ADDITIVES (SCAS)

There are many different?additive packages or inhibitors?that protect the engine and cooling system against corrosion, erosion, cavitation, and scale. Additives help to buffer the coolant solution, thereby maintaining its alkaline pH.

3.1. WATCH THE SCA LEVELS

Modern diesel engines include emission-reduction systems such as Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) and cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR). These and other components also require cooling from the coolant system,?accelerating the depletion?of the coolant additives or Supplemental Coolant Additives (SCAs).

So, it is important to ensure that?correct SCA levels?are maintained. There are a few different types of SCAs available, liquid format or chemically pre-charged pellets contained within coolant filter cartridges. The latter is available with different rates of chemical release – relating to longer or shorter system maintenance requirements. Always check the vehicle manufacturer’s and the coolant supplier’s data for the?correct specifications?of SCA required.

Incorrect SCA levels can cause?cavitation issues. Vapor cavities are ‘bubbles’ in the coolant that collapse with explosive force, pockmarking the pump’s internal components. The pockmarked areas then corrode away.

The bubbles form at the coolant inlet of the pump. As the pressure increases in the system, the bubbles implode and?cause harm. To help prevent this, thoroughly?flush the cooling system?before installing a new pump. Afterward, refill the system with the correct vehicle manufacturer’s recommended coolant and/or SCA additive packages.

?3.2. AVOID COOLANT MIXING

Different types of coolants exist, such as IAT (Inorganic Acid Technology), OAT (Organic Acid Technology), and HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology). It is essential to use the correct coolant type to?prevent coolant contamination?within the system. Coolant filters are available with and without pre-charged SCA additives.?Mixing incompatible coolant technologies?can lead to the formulation of a gel-like substance in the cooling system, which can damage water pump mechanical seals, radiators, heater cores, etc.?

FURTHER WATER PUMP LAUNCHES

Our range of FleetRunner heavy-duty water pumps will be able to?cover over six million?trucks and buses on EMEA roads from day one. Yet we will continue to invest our experience in OE drive systems, our water pump manufacturing expertise, and heavy-duty drive systems knowledge into the development of new part numbers. More specifically, we are planning?monthly launches of heavy-duty water pumps, in line with customer and market demand.

Original article available at:

• Edited by Tiago Nunes.