BENDIX TCH-008-022 Dépliant

 Bulletin

Subject:  

Last year we published Bulletin PRO-08-21 which provided some guidelines for
“winterizing” a vehicle air brake system.  Here are some additional suggestions for
making cold weather vehicle operation just a little more bearable.

The old saying; “Prevention is the best medicine” truly applies here! Each year this
activity accounts for an untold amount of unnecessary labor and component
replacement.  Here are some Do’s and Don’ts for prevention and thawing.

1.  Do maintain freeze prevention devices to prevent road calls.  Don’t let evaporators or

injectors run out of methanol alcohol or protection will be degraded.  Check the air
dryer for proper operation and change the desiccant when needed.

2.  Do thaw out frozen air lines and valves by placing the vehicle in a warmed building.

This is the only method for thawing that will not cause damage to the air system or its
components.

3.  Do use dummy hose couplings on the tractor and trailer.

4.  Do check for sections of air line that could form water traps.  Look for “drooping”

lines.

1.  Do not apply an open flame to air lines and valves.  Beyond causing damage to the

internal nonmetallic parts of valves and melting or burning non-metallic air lines,
THIS PRACTICE IS UNSAFE AND CAN RESULT IN VEHICLE FIRE!

2.  Do not introduce (pour) fluids into air brake lines or hose couplings (“glad hands”).

Some fluids used can cause immediate and severe damage to rubber components.
Even methanol alcohol, which is used in Alcohol Evaporators and Injectors, should
not be poured into air lines.  Fluids poured into the system wash lubricants out of
valves, collect in brake chambers and valves and can cause malfunction.  Loss of
lubricant can affect valve operating characteristics, accelerate wear and cause
premature replacement.