LO 6-10 Identify and describe clean care practices

1.2. Clean Care Service Practices

The most important opportunity for extending component life and lowering operating costs is to effectively manage fluid cleanliness. The ISO establishes standards for minimum cleanliness of fuel at the inlet of high-pressure injection pumps. According to the standard, a 208 L (55 U.S. gallon) drum of fuel has less contamination than the weight of a regular-strength Tylenol capsule (160 mg).

Before servicing any engine or fuel system, prior to disassembly, important steps are taken to clean the area around the component, the component’s fittings, and the mounting hardware. Dirt or contaminants can be introduced into the fuel system and engine if the areas surrounding the components are not cleaned, resulting in damage to the fuel system and engine. This begins by thoroughly washing the engine area prior to service. Washing helps to keep contaminants out of the shop where they can transfer onto an open engine. Power washing the engine and engine compartment minimizes the likelihood of dirt entering an open engine.

Other practices include:

• Sealing the ends of hoses with caps or plugs immediately after disconnection and verifying that they are cleaned prior to reconnection. Good practice: using plastic or metal plugs and caps. Acceptable practice: hose ends are taped over. Neglecting the use of caps, using rags stuffed in cavities/openings, or taped-only open oil lines and ports is NOT recommended.
• Injectors are also capped and plugged until they are installed in an engine. Injectors should be handled with gloved hands to prevent the transfer of skin oils that can corrode sensitive injector parts.
• Cleaning solvents for fuel system parts must not leave residues, and electronic contact cleaner is preferred.
• Carbon and dirt in an engine is vacuumed up with a shop vacuum rather than blown away with compressed air when cleaning the inside of an engine.
• Technicians must work with nitrile or latex gloves, which can be kept cleaner than hands without gloves.
• Technicians receive specialized training in clean care policy and service practices. This includes establishing new levels of cleanliness and organization of shops to prevent contaminant transfers. Gone are the days when technicians worked in dirty coveralls in filthy shops. To clean up spills, absorbent mats (rather than granular absorbents) are used. Unlike absorbent pads, granular absorbents contain very abrasive particles. Technicians are instructed to clean funnels prior to use (to prevent fluid contamination); to practice dry installation and priming of fuel filters; and to practice proper handling, disposal, and storage of all shop fluids.
• Parts are kept in packaging prior to installation. Parts are also stored in sealed drawers, not in open bins where they can collect dust.