The engine section can be very daunting, however just like in other sections, it can be broken down into smaller sections to make it easier to study. Truck components may be in a different place than what we have, so below is a SAMPLE of what the engine pre trip should sound like.
Manually pull dipstick, wipe and dip it back and check fluid level.
“Power Steering is ABOVE THE ADD/REFILL LEVEL AND THERE ARE NO CONTAMINANTS”
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged or Twisted. No Leaks.
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged or Twisted. No Leaks.
Components: Power Steering, Coolant, Air Hoses, And Metal Lines.
Securement: Couplings and Clamps are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked Damaged or Twisted. Hoses no Bulges, Cuts, Cracks, Frays excessive Rub or Leaks.
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged or Twisted. No Leaks. (Air, Coolant, Oil)
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and tightly mounted to the Air Compressor.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged or Twisted. No Leaks.
Purpose: Provide air to the air tanks. Cuts in at 90-100psi, Cuts out at 115-120 psi.
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged or Twisted. No Leaks. Hoses No Bulges, Cuts, Cracks, Frays excessive Rub or Leaks. “The belt has no less than ½ inch but no more than ¾ inch play”
Securement: All Clamps, fittings, nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked or Damaged. Nothing missing and No leaks.
Securement: Properly seated in the pulley.
Condition: No Cut, Cracks, Frays. “The belt has no less than ½ inch but no more than ¾ inch play”
Securement: All electrical wires are in harness and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: No Cuts, Cracks, Frays, Corrosion or Exposed Wires.
**MENTION COMPUTER BOX AND WIRES.
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: No Cuts, Cracks, Frays, Corrosion or Exposed Wires.
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged or Twisted. No excessive drill holes. No weld repairs.
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and tightly mounted from the firewall to the UNIVERSAL JOINT.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged Bent or Twisted. “I will physically shake the component to make sure it is tightly secured.”
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and tightly mounted to the Steering Shaft and Steering Gear Box.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged or Twisted. Properly Greased.
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and tightly mounted to the frame.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged or Twisted. No Leaks.
Steering Box – Pitman Arm
Pitman Arm – Drag Link
Drag Link – Upper Control Arm
Upper Control Arm – Lower Control Arm
Lower Control Arm – Tie Rod
Tie Rod runs parallel with the axle and is mounted to the Lower Control Arm on the passenger side.
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and tightly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged or Twisted. “I will physically shake each component to make sure it is tightly secured. I will also make sure it is not touching the suspension or inner tire wall.”
Securement: Castle Nuts and Cotter Pins are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged or Twisted.
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damage, Twisted, Misaligned, Missing or Shifted. “If ¼ or more of any leaf is missing, vehicle will be put Out of Service.”
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damage or Twisted. Bushings not worn and no hydraulic fluid leaks.
Securement: In Harness and Properly Mounted and Secured.
Condition: No Cut, Crack, Frays, Corrosion or Exposed Wires.
Securement: Fittings are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: No Bulges, Cuts, Cracks, Tears, Holes, Excessive Rub or Leaks when the brakes are applied.
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged or Twisted. No Leaks when the brakes are applied.
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged or Twisted. “With the brakes released, I can pull on the Slack Adjuster. It should not move more than 1” or exceed a 90 degree angle.”
*Point to Brake Pad and Brake Drum.
Securement: Properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked or Damaged. “There is no Grease, oil, re-welds, exposed rivets, metal shavings or foreign debris. Brake pad is NO less than ¼ of an inch thick.”
“Inner and Outer tire walls have no serious abrasions, bumps or cuts. Not leaking any air. Tire has even wear. Front tires must have at least 4/32 of an inch tread depth. Can’t be mismatched or recapped. I can check the pressure with a tire gauge. Proper inflation is 105 psi.”
Securement: Properly Mounted and Secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked or Damaged. No air leaks.
Securement: All Lug Nuts are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked or Damaged. “There is no repairs, re-welds, rust trails or oblong holes to indicate a loose nut.
“Free and clear of any foreign debris.”
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked or Damaged. No leaks of any gear oil. “I can see that it is full.”
Securement: 2 Straps around the reservoir. All nuts and bolts are present and tightly connected to the bracket. The bracket is tightly mounted to the firewall.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged. Not leaking any Coolant. “Sight Glass is showing an adequate amount of coolant.”
**The lower Radiator hose connected to the Water Pump.”
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged. Not leaking any Coolant.
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and tightly mounted to the top and bottom brackets.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged. “Electrical wires are present and secured to the back of the alternator. There is no Cut, Cracks, Frays, Corrosion or Exposed Wires.”
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged. Belt is not Cut, Cracked or Frayed. “It has no less than ½ inch but no more than ¾ inch play.”
Securement: All nuts and bolts are present and is properly mounted and secured.
Condition: Not Broken, Cracked, Damaged. No leaks. *Physically take dipstick out, wipe it, and dip it again to check the proper level. “Oil is above the ADD/REFILL level and there is no discoloration, bubbles or metal shavings.”
Securement: All Clamps and Fittings are present and tightly mounted to each component.
Condition: No Bulges, Cuts, Cracks, Tears, Excessive rub or Leaks. Metal Lines not Bent, Dent, Twist or Cracked. No Leaks.
** “I would inspect my Suspension System, Brake System, Inflation, Condition and Tread Depth of the tire and rims as I did on the Drivers side. Would you like me to go over it again?”
OPTIONAL ITEMS TO CHECK:
Radiator
Radiator Bracket Rod
Fan Shroud
Fan Blades
Metal Air Cleaner Tube
Intake turbo
Exhaust turbo