DIET 1020 Syllabus
Subject Code
DIET
Course Number
1020
Course Title
Preventive Maintenance
Prerequisites
Prerequisite/Corequisite: DIET 1010
Corequisites
Terms Offered
Offered Fall
Credit Hours
(3-5-5)
Course Description
This course introduces preventive maintenance procedures pertaining to medium and heavy duty trucks and heavy equipment. Topics include engine systems; cab and hood; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); electrical and electronics; and frame and chassis. Students must pay a $20 lab fee when registering for this course.
Course Outcomes
Engine Systems
Order Description
1 Observe engine starting/operation (including unusual noises, vibrations, exhaust smoke,
etc.); record idle and governed RPM
2 Inspect vibration damper
3 Inspect belts, tensioners, and pulleys
4 Check and adjust belt tension and belt alignment
5 Check engine oil level, condition, and dipstick seal
6 Inspect engine mounts for looseness and deterioration
7 Check engine for oil, coolant, air, fuel, and exhaust leaks (engine off and running)
8 Check engine compartment wiring harnesses, connectors, and seals for damage and proper
routing
9 Check fuel systems tanks, mountings, lines, caps, and vents
10 Drain water from the fuel system
11 Perform service of the water separator/fuel heater
12 Perform replacement of fuel filters
13 Prime and bleed fuel system
14 Check exhaust system mountings for looseness and damage
15 Check engine exhaust system for leaks, proper routing, and damaged or missing
components to include exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system and after treatment devices
if equipped
16 Check air induction system components (piping, charge air cooler, hoses, clamps, and
mountings) for air restriction and leaks
17 Inspect turbocharger for leaks as well as the mountings and connections
18 Check operation of engine compression/exhaust brake
19 Perform service or replacement of air filter as needed
20 Check and reset air filter restriction indicator
21 Inspect and service crankcase ventilation system
22 Check operation of the fan clutch
23 Inspect for air flow restrictions, leaks, and damage as well as its mountings
24 Inspect fan assembly and shroud
25 Perform pressure test of cooling system and radiator cap
26 Inspect coolant hoses and clamps
27 Inspect coolant recovery system
28 Check coolant for contamination, additive package concentration, and protection level
(freeze point)
29 Perform service of coolant filter
30 Inspect water pump for leaks and bearing play
31 Perform and engine oil and filter change and visually check oil for coolant or fuel
contamination
32 Inspect and clean magnetic drain plugs
33 Take an engine oil sample
Cab and Hood Areas
Order Description
1 Inspect key condition and operation of ignition switch
2 Check warning indicators
3 Check instruments and record oil pressure and system voltage
4 Check operation of electronic power take off (PTO) and engine idle speed controls (if
applicable)
5 Check HVAC controls
6 Check operation of all accessories
7 Using diagnostic tool or on-board diagnostic system, retrieve engine monitoring
information and check and record diagnostic codes and trip/operational data (including
engine, transmission, ABS, and other systems).
8 Check operation of electric/air horns and reverse warning devices
9 Check condition of spare fuses, triangles, fire extinguisher, and all required decals
10 Inspect seat belts and sleeper restraints
11 Inspect wiper blades and arms
12 Check operation of wiper and washer
13 Inspect windshield glass for cracks or discoloration and check sun visors
14 Check seat condition, operation, and mounting
15 Check door glass and window operation
16 Inspect steps and grab handles
17 Inspect mirrors, mountings, brackets, and glass
18 Record all observed physical damage to components
19 Perform lubrication of all cab and hood grease fittings
20 Inspect and lubricate door and hood hinges and latches, strikers, lock cylinders, safety
latches, linkages, and cables
21 Inspect cab mountings, hinges, latches, linkages, and ride height
22 Perform service as needed
Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
Order Description
1 Inspect A/C condenser and lines for condition and visible leaks; check mountings
2 Inspect A/C compressor and lines for condition and visible leaks; check mountings
3 Check A/C system condition, operation, and monitoring system if applicable
4 Check HVAC air inlet filters and ducts
5 Perform air inlet filter service as needed
Electrical/Electronics
Order Description
1 Inspect battery box(es), cover(s), mountings, hold downs, connections, cables, and cable
routing
2 Perform battery component service as needed
3 Check and record battery state-of-charge (open circuit voltage) reading and condition
4 Perform battery test (load and/or capacitance
5 Inspect starter mountings and connections
6 Engage starter checking for unusual noises, starter drag, and starting difficulty
7 Inspect alternator mountings, cable, wiring, and wire routing
8 Perform alternator output tests
9 Check operation of interior lights
10 Check all exterior lights, lenses, reflectors, and conspicuity tape
11 Check headlight alignment
12 Inspect and test tractor-to-trailer multi-wire connectors, cables, and holders
Frame and Chassis
Order Description
1 Check operation of parking brake
2 Record air governor cut-out setting (psi)
3 Check operation of air reservoir/tank drain valves
4 Check air system for leaks (brakes released and brakes applied)
5 Check overall air system for leaks
6 Test one-way and double-check valves
7 Check low air pressure warning devices
8 Check air governor cut-in pressure
9 Check emergency (spring) brake control/modulator valve if applicable
10 Check tractor protection valve
11 Test air pressure build up time
12 Inspect coupling air lines, holders, and glad hands
13 Check brake chambers and air lines for secure mounting and damage
14 Check operation of air drier
15 Inspect and record brake shoe/pad condition, thickness, and contamination
16 Inspect and record condition of brake drums/rotors
17 Check antilock brake system wiring, connectors, seals, and harnesses for damage and
proper routing
18 Check operation and adjustment of brake automatic slack adjusters (ASA)
19 Check and record push rod stroke
20 Perform lubrication of all brake component grease fittings
21 Check condition and operation of hand brake (trailer) control valve
22 Perform antilock brake system (ABS) operational system self-test
23 Drain air tanks and check for contamination
24 Check condition of pressure relief (safety) valves
25 Check master cylinder fluid level and condition
26 Inspect brake lines, fittings, flexible hoses, and valves for leaks and damage
27 Check parking brake operation inspecting application and holding devices; adjust as
needed
28 Check operation of hydraulic system (pedal travel, pedal effort, and pedal feel (drift)
29 Inspect calipers for leakage and damage
30 Inspect brake assist system (booster), hoses and control valves
31 Check brake reservoir fluid level and condition
32 Inspect and record brake lining/pad condition, thickness, and contamination
33 Inspect and record condition of brake rotors.
34 Check antilock brake system (ABS) wiring, connectors, seals, and harnesses for damage
and proper routing
35 Check operation of clutch, clutch brake, and gearshift
36 Check clutch linkage/cable for looseness or binding if applicable
37 Check hydraulic clutch slave and master cylinders, lines, fittings, and hoses
38 Check clutch adjustment and adjust as needed
39 Check transmission case, seals, filter, hoses, and cooler for cracks and leaks
40 Inspect transmission breather and mounts
41 Check transmission oil level, type, and condition
42 Inspect u-joints, yokes, driveshaft, boots/seals, center bearings, and mounting hardware
for looseness, damage, and proper phasing
43 Inspect axle housings for cracks and leaks
44 Inspect axle breathers
45 Perform lubrication of all drive train grease fittings
46 Check drive axle(s) oil level, type, and condition
47 Perform drive axle oil and filter change and clean magnetic drain plug
48 Check transmission wiring, connectors, seals, and harnesses for damage and proper
routing
49 Perform transmission oil and filter change and clean magnetic drain plug
50 Check inter-axle differential lock operation
51 Check range shift operation
52 Check steering wheel operation for free play or binding
53 Check power steering pump, mounting, and hoses for condition, leaks, and proper
routing
54 Check power steering fluid level
55 Perform power steering fluid and filter change
56 Inspect steering gear for leaks and secure mountings
57 Inspect steering shaft u-joints, pinch bolts, splines, pitman arm-to-sterring sector shaft,
tie rod ends, and linkages
58 Check kingpin for wear
59 Check wheel bearings for looseness and noise
60 Check oil level and condition in all non-drive hubs
61 Check for leaks in non-drive hubs
62 Inspect springs, pins, hangers, shackles, spring u-bolts, and insulators
63 Inspect shock absorbers for leaks and secure mounting
64 Inspect air and leaf suspension springs, mounts, hoses, valves, linkages, and fittings for
leaks and damage
65 Check and record suspension ride height
66 Perform lubrication of all suspension and steering grease fittings
67 Check toe setting
68 Check tandem axle alignment and spacing
69 Check axle locating components (radius, torque and/or track rods)
70 Inspect tires for wear patterns and proper mounting
71 Inspect tires for cuts, cracks, bulges, and sidewall damage
72 Inspect valve caps and stems and replace as needed
73 Measure and record tread depth and probe for imbedded debris
74 Check and record air pressure
75 Perform adjustment of tire air pressure in accordance with manufacturers' specifications
76 Check for loose lug nuts
77 Check wheel mounting hardware condition and service as needed
78 Re-torque lug nuts in accordance with manufacturers' specifications
79 Inspect wheels for cracks and damages
80 Check for tire matching (diameter and tread) on dual tire installations
81 Inspect fifth wheel mounting, bolts, air lines, and locks
82 Test operation of fifth wheel locking device and adjust if necessary
83 Check quarter fenders, mud flaps, and brackets
84 Check pintle hook assembly and mounting
85 Perform lubrication of all fifth wheel grease fittings and plate
86 Inspect frame and frame members for cracks and damage