Service Manual

ISB, ISBe and QSB (Common Rail [...] General Cleaning Instructions
Section i - Introduction Page i-13
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abrade the other part until contact is no longer being made between the two parts. If the damage sufficiently degrades
the oil film, the two parts will come into contact resulting in early wear-out or failure from lack of effective lubrication.
Abrasive particles can fly about during cleaning it is very important to block these particles from entering the engine as
much as possible. This is particularly true of lubricating oil ports and oil drilling holes, especially those located
downstream of the lubricating oil filters. Plug the holes instead of trying to blow the abrasive particles and debris with
compressed air because the debris is often simply blown further into the oil drilling.
All old gasket material must be removed from the parts gasket surfaces. However, it is not necessary to clean and
polish the gasket surface until the machining marks are erased. Excessive sanding or buffing can damage the gasket
surface. Many newer gaskets are of the edge molded type (a steel carrier with a sealing member bonded to the steel).
What little sealing material that can adhere is best removed with a blunt-edged scraper or putty knife. Cleaning gasket
surfaces where an edge-molded gasket is used with abrasive pads or paper is usually a waste of time.
WARNING
Excessive sanding or grinding the carbon ring from the top of the cylinder liners can damage the liner beyond
reuse. The surface finish will be damaged and abrasive particles can be forced into the liner material which
can cause early cylinder wear-out or piston ring failures.
Tape off or plug all openings to any component interior before using abrasive pads or wire brushes. If really necessary
because of time to use a power tool with abrasive pads, tape the oil drillings closed or use plug and clean as much of
the surface as possible with the tool but clean around the oil hole/opening by hand so as to prevent contamination of
the drilling. Then remove the tape or plug and clean the remaining area carefully and without the tool. DO NOT use
compressed air to blow the debris out of oil drilling on an assembled engine! More likely than not, the debris can be
blown further into the drilling. Using compressed air is fine if both ends of the drilling are open but that is rarely the
case when dealing with an assembled engine.
Gasket Surfaces
The object of cleaning gasket surfaces is to remove any gasket material, not refinish the gasket surface of the part.
Cummins Inc. does not recommend any specific brand of liquid gasket remover. If a liquid gasket remover is used,
check the directions to make sure the material being cleaned will not be harmed.
Air powered gasket scrapers can save time but care must be taken to not damage the surface. The angled part of the
scraper must be against the gasket surface to prevent the blade from digging into the surface. Using air powered
gasket scrapers on parts made of soft materials takes skill and care to prevent damage.
Do not scrape or brush across the gasket surface if at all possible.
Solvent and Acid Cleaning
Several solvent and acid-type cleaners can be used to clean the disassembled engine parts (other than pistons. See
Below). Experience has shown that the best results can be obtained using a cleaner that can be heated to 90° to 95°
Celsius (180° to 200° Fahrenheit). Kerosene emulsion based cleaners have different temperature specifications, see
below. A cleaning tank that provides a constant mixing and filtering of the cleaning solution will give the best results.
Cummins Inc. does not recommend any specific cleaners. Always follow the cleaner manufacturer's instructions.
Remove all the gasket material, o-rings, and the deposits of sludge, carbon, etc., with a wire brush or scraper before
putting the parts in a cleaning tank. Be careful not to damage any gasket surfaces. When possible, steam clean the
parts before putting them in the cleaning tank.
WARNING
When using solvents, acids, or alkaline materials for cleaning, follow the manufacturers recommendations for
use. Wear goggles and protective clothing to reduce the possibility of personal injury.
Experience has shown that kerosene emulsion based cleaners perform the best to clean pistons. These cleaners
should not be heated to temperature in excess of 77°C (170°F). The solution begins to break down at temperatures in
excess of 82°C (180°F) and will be less effective.
Do not use solutions composed mainly of chlorinated hydrocarbons with cresols, phenols and/or cresylic components.
They often do not do a good job of removing deposits from the ring groove and are costly to dispose of properly.
Solutions with a pH above approximately 9.5 will cause aluminum to turn black; therefore do not use high alkaline
solutions.
Chemicals with a pH above 7.0 are considered alkaline and those below 7.0 are acidic. As you move further away
from the neutral 7.0, the chemicals become highly alkaline or highly acidic.
Remove all the gasket material, o-rings, and the deposits of sludge, carbon, etc., with a wire brush or scraper before
putting the parts in a cleaning tank. Be careful to not damage any gasket surfaces. When possible use hot high