High Temperatures, High Stakes: Protect Cat^® Truck Engines From Damage

When It’s Hot Out, There’s No Room For Error

Summer’s high temperatures and long hauls can push every component to the limit — and when a truck rolls into your bay overheating, your customer’s already under pressure. You’ve got to diagnose the problem fast, repair it right the first time and do what you can to avoid a repeat visit.

The key? Prevention. Cooling system failures are often avoidable with smart inspections, the right parts and a team that knows what to look for before small issues turn serious.

Parts That Fail First When Temperatures Rise

You know the story: it’s rarely a single, catastrophic failure. More often, it’s one degraded part that leads to another and then another. That’s why you want to watch these components closely:

• Fan hubs that slip under stress
• Thermostats that stick or open partially
• Water pumps that wear gradually and lose efficiency
• Hoses and seals that dry out, crack or leak
• Oil coolers that fail when cooling systems don’t perform

Any of these heat-related problems can lead to major engine damage — cracked heads, blown gaskets, even bearing failure — and expensive downtime for your customers.

Diagnostic Must-Dos: Summer Inspection Priorities

To stop cooling system failures, make proactive inspections a top priority during the summer months. When customers bring in their trucks for service, it’s smart to practice:

• Pressure test the radiator, radiator cap and entire cooling system
• Confirm thermostat function and fan operation
• Clean between the radiator, air cooler and condenser
• Look for wires wrapped around hoses, which can trap heat, corrode lines and lead to rust in the cooling system

While visual inspections are most helpful in detecting heat issues, there are a few essential tools you’ll want to have on hand as well — including radiator cap testers, coolant system pressure testers for leak detection and dip strips for quick insights into coolant health.

Quick Tips To Share With Customers

Another smart strategy? Remind customers how to avoid hot weather issues. Encourage them to:

• Check that coolant is clean and topped off before hitting the road — every time. Stress that they should never add water, which can cause rust and long-term damage. The best choice? Genuine Cat coolant designed for Cat truck engines.

• Watch for coolant and water pump leaks. Make sure to point out the difference between acceptable drips and critical problems.

• Replace damaged radiator shrouds — don’t just remove them. Some customers take off broken or beat-up shrouds, but doing so can lead to overheating.

• Keep up with S•O•S℠ fluid analysis. Regular oil and coolant sampling can help spot issues before they become breakdowns.

Also, remind customers not to panic if their fan doesn’t kick on at 195°-200°F. That’s normal — Cat truck engines are designed to run hotter than the average car engine.

Parts Planning: What To Keep In Stock

The right inventory can turn a potential road call into a quick fix — or better yet, prevent the failure altogether. Work with your local authorized Cat dealer to make sure you have these essentials in stock and ready to go.

• Thermostats and water temperature regulators
• Belts, hoses and seals
• Genuine Cat coolant and adjustable clamps

Consider bundling common components into convenient summer-ready kits that customers can stock in their trucks just in case there's an issue.

Prevent Problems, Build Trust

You don’t need fancy tools to stop cooling system problems, just sharp eyes, disciplined inspections and smart parts stocking. When you can spot a cracked hose before it causes a cracked head, you’re not just fixing problems. You’re helping keep trucks on the road — building customer trust and loyalty.

For more tips and tools to help keep Cat truck engines running strong — this summer and all year long — check out the Cat Truck Engine Repair Pro Resource Center.