How to maintain and care for an oil tanker truck?

Proper maintenance of an oil tanker truck can help maintain its performance and extend its lifespan. This article focuses on the maintenance of vulnerable parts of an oil tanker truck, emphasizing how to inspect, replace, and maintain these parts. It also discusses what issues may arise when these vulnerable parts show certain symptoms.

How to maintain and care for an oil tanker truck?

Some people believe that maintaining an oil tanker truck simply involves changing the engine oil, but this is a narrow and incorrect view. Maintenance for an oil tanker truck is a broad concept, including the replacement and cleaning of various fluids and filters in the engine systems (such as engine oil, gear oil, brake fluid, transmission fluid, power steering fluid, windshield washer fluid, battery water, engine filters, air filters, cabin air filters, etc.), as well as the replacement and maintenance of vulnerable parts like belts, spark plugs, batteries, brake pads, ball joints, clutch plates, shock absorbers, etc. Additionally, maintenance also includes the aesthetic care of the oil tanker truck, such as car washing, exterior paint protection, interior component care, and more.

Proper maintenance of an oil tanker truck can help maintain its performance and extend its lifespan. This article focuses on the maintenance of vulnerable parts of an oil tanker truck, emphasizing how to inspect, replace, and maintain these parts. It also discusses what issues may arise when these vulnerable parts show certain symptoms.

For instance, the average lifespan of a spark plug is 15,000 km, while long-life spark plugs may last up to 30,000 km. The function of a spark plug is to conduct the high-voltage pulse generated by the ignition coil into the combustion chamber and ignite the air-fuel mixture by creating an electric spark at the electrode to complete the combustion process.

The model of a spark plug consists of three parts of numbers or letters. The first number indicates the thread diameter, such as the number 1, which represents a thread diameter of 10mm. The middle letter indicates the length of the spark plug thread that screws into the cylinder. The last digit represents the heat range of the spark plug: 1-3 for hot range, 5, 6 for medium range, and 7 and above for cold range. The "gap" of the spark plug is its main working technical indicator. If the gap is too large, the high-voltage pulse generated by the ignition coil and distributor may be difficult to jump over, leading to starting difficulties for the engine. If the gap is too small, it can cause a weak spark and be prone to leakage.

Common faults of spark plugs are as follows: severe spark plug erosion, scars, damage, or melting of the spark plug electrode all indicate that the spark plug is damaged and needs to be replaced. When deposits are present on the spark plug, deposits may stick between the top of the insulator and the electrode of the spark plug, leading to engine operation issues. Cleaning the spark plug may provide a temporary solution, but the root cause of the problem must be identified.

◆ Issues that drivers of oil tanker trucks should pay attention to while driving:

① Check the operation of all instruments while driving.

② Check if the steering system is working properly while driving.

③ Check if the hand and foot brakes are functioning normally while driving.

④ Check for any abnormal noises or unusual odors from the engine, chassis, and oil tank body while driving.

⑤ Utilize parking time to perform the following checks on the oil tanker truck: feel for overheating on the front and rear wheel brake drums, check the condition of the tires and nut fastening, remove foreign objects from the tire treads, check for oil, water, or air leaks, inspect the condition of the steel plate spring, tighten loose drive shaft bolts, and examine the appearance of the oil tank body and the piping system of the oil tanker truck.