Caterpillar C7 Hose Leak
This investigation led to a safety recall.
This investigation resulted in a recall: 11E051
- Manufacturer
- Caterpillar, Inc.
- Component
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)
- Opened
- Mar 29, 2011
- Closed
- Jan 30, 2012
- Model years
- —
- Type
- Preliminary Evaluation
Summary
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received 1 fleet complaint (involving 8 incidents on 6 vehicles) alleging that the Clean Gas Induction (CGI) coolant lines on affected vehicles had developed leaks resulting in a vehicle stall.Caterpillar conducted system testing and determined that coolant in the subject engines may become increasingly acidic over time, which may result in damage to the inner walls of the coolant hoses.In at least four (4) cases this has resulted in stranded school buses due to coolant loss.Caterpillar (CAT) submitted a recall notice on December 2, 2011.CAT's announcement of a safety recall on this matter addresses ODI's concerns.Coolant will be checked and changed more frequently to prevent in-field pH degradation and coolant hoses damaged from this issue will be replaced under warranty. The subject vehicles have been recalled, therefore this investigation is closed.The ODI report cited above can be reviewed at www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification (ODI) number: 10446420
Vehicles under investigation (2)
- AMERICAN CATERPILLAR AMERICAN CATERPILLAR
- CATERPILLAR C7
Source: NHTSA investigation PE11008. Investigations are NHTSA's review of a potential safety issue and may or may not result in a recall.