Water pump filter removal and filter performance study at heavy commercial vehicle engine

Abstract

Cooling systems are one of the essential systems for internal combustion engines. They prevent damage to engine parts and extend the engine’s life by removing the high heat generated by the combustion from the engine. These systems vary depending on the engine’s volume, combustion pressure, coolant flow, and types and may differ in light commercial and heavy commercial vehicles. These differences are generally observed in the water pump used, type of refrigerant, filter systems, and pump control mechanisms. The most apparent differences are in the water pump and filter systems. Light commercial vehicles do not have a filtration system, while most of the heavy commercial vehicles have a filtration system. There are many studies in the literature focusing on the performance and durability of the filter systems.In this study, the necessity of the filter system in the cooling systems of heavy commercial vehicles, system filtration performance, and whether it is possible to work without a filter were investigated. A water pump performance test setup was used to simulate the real engine condition. The test was performed at 110°C coolant temperature, 1 barg input pressure, and with 53.195gr contamination. Results of the study showed that removing the filter from the coolant system after the first service shortens the life of the water pump.