SECTION 05: COOLING SYSTEM
DOB 2490-2789 | X3-45 Commuter PA1605 Maintenance Manual (Final Version – Rev.2 April 2016)
9
5.6 COOLANT SAMPLING
Providing a sample of coolant for lab analysis
may be required at some point in the life of the
vehicle.
NOTE
The following procedure is provided for
reference only.
Instructions coming with the laboratory test kit
take precedence over this procedure.
WARNING
Before proceeding with the following steps,
make sure the coolant has cooled down. The
sudden release of pressure from a heated
cooling system can result in loss of coolant
and possible personal injury (scalding) from
the hot liquid.
Sampling should be performed on a
cold
engine
.
Typical material required:
Hand Vacuum Pump w/ bottle provision
Sample
bottle
Plastic tube (1/4 “refrigerator” tube)
Nitrile
gloves
Security
glasses
Shop
Towels
NOTE
Watch out for accidental contamination!
Hand vacuum pump should be used for
coolant sampling only
to prevent cross-
contamination.
Also, ensure cleanliness throughout this
procedure to make sure the coolant sample is
not contaminated accidentally.
Sampling should be performed on the surge
tank, on a cold engine.
If the vehicle has been standing still for a
significant period, drive it around 30 min up to
normal operating temperature. Then let it cool
down.
1. Pull the pressure cap off the surge tank.
Refer to Figure 1for location of cap.
2. Thread the sample bottle to the pump. Hand
tighten.
3. Slide the plastic tubing in the fitting on the
pump until it exceeds about 1/2 inch into
pump cavity.
4. Insert tube in the surge tank about half way
to the bottom. (Do not draw sample in the
bottom of the surge tank.)
5. Pump until sample bottle is about 2/3 full. Do
not overfill.
6. Loosen pump fitting to remove tube from
pump. Allow any coolant in the tube to flow in
the bottle.
7. Remove sample bottle and install cap.
8. Throw plastic tube away. (Not to be re-used)
9.
Complete any forms required by the
laboratory.
