New to me ’05 540 QSCs – Maintenance parts list help please.

[John]

Been adding to my cart what I think I need but stuck on some other items. AND I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT A LOT OF THIS, so asking some basic q’s. Thanks for your patience.

I see the QSC fuel filter but many other types…do I care about anything other than 5488? Can someone tell me which ones?

Are there other filters like coolant?

Also, should I replace the coolant and does the coolant need to be replaced if doing the heat exchanger?

Do the water pumps need to be upgraded or should I just replace impellers?

Bought the zincs. Bought both heat exchanger and after cooler kits. Will sleep better after looking at those.

Going to replace some turbo gasket to clean up this soot. I assume this is the gasket. https://www.sbmar.com/product/cummins-turbo-charger-water-cover-to-manifold-gasket/
What runs through the turbo btw in those 4 voids on each side?

Should I replace thermostats if not running hot? I know, why but figure they’re 15 years old, so not sure. Leave sleeping dogs alone?

I think the belts are good.

Hoses? Which ones should be replaced?

Anything else?

This has ZF285A’s. Any filters for those? What’s best oil and any trick to draining them?

Thanks again!!!

J

Topic

[John]

Thank you

Morning Tony,

Thank you for the reply. Your concerns/observations are spot on as usual and come through loud and clear.

I certainly wish these waters weren’t as uncharted for me as they are.

As you suggest, I will be going through the entire seawater and cooling sides, which includes the aftercoolers and appreciate the tip on removing the oil line coming from the cooler.

As for turbos, yep, no idea, but hope to know and learn more during this process.

I placed an order last week for a bunch of stuff that will at least get me started and look forward to making additional purchases as I learn more of what needs to be done.

Thanks again,

J

[Tony Athens]

John,

I have been looking at this post for about a week, and honestly, there is no simple answer to your situation..

1) Being without any past experience with working as a “hands-on” owner of a diesel engine, and especially one that is very “high tech” puts you are a serious disadvantage as to tackling the maintenance you are wanting to do..

2) The “gasket” you think you may want to change–This has ZERO to do with your soot leak.. This alone tells me for sure you should not be doing this work.

3) Running hot–99%, its not the thermostats.. How about a complete top to bottom service of the “life-blood” of the engine –The entire seawater side of the engines cooling system.That includes the aftercooler–Off the engine and on the bench & in parts.

4) Trick to drain the gears?– Remove the oil line coming the the cooler to the gear– Put it into a can–Start the engine and let it pump dry.

5)—–You need and honest & experienced mechanic to help

[Author]

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