Do you know how to maintain the hydraulic retarder?

For drivers who frequently drive on mountain roads, installing an auxiliary braking system is crucial. The hydraulic retarder, as a mainstream and highly safe auxiliary braking device, is favored by many users. Regular maintenance and upkeep of the hydraulic retarder are essential to ensure its proper operation.

It Is Crucial To Maintain The Hydraulic Retarder By Following The Prescribed Maintenance Schedule For Oil Changes. The Oil Used Must Comply With The Relevant Technical Specifications, And The Appropriate Type Of Working Fluid Should Be Selected Based On The Vehicle's Operating Conditions And Ambient Temperature.

Generally speaking, the oil change cycle of the fluid retarder should not exceed one year, and it is recommended to change the oil every 100,000 kilometers for highway vehicles and every 60,000 kilometers for heavy-duty transportation vehicles, and the oil change cycle should be shortened appropriately on the basis of the above for the vehicles in poorer working conditions.

For Voith hydrodynamic retarders, they also needs to be replaced the water-oil separation filter element at 120,000 kilometers.

When the oil shows the following conditions, maintenance and oil change are necessary:

1. The oil is dark brown and has a pungent odor, and when rubbed gently with fingers, it feels noticeably sticky. This situation indicates that the working temperature of the damper is too high, causing the oil to oxidize and deteriorate.

2. The oil is milky white and turbid. It is very likely that the turbidity is caused by water entering the oil. We can take a small amount of oil and place it in a beaker, then heat it on an electric stove. If we hear a "crackling" sound or see water vapor condensing on the beaker, we can confirm that water has mixed into the oil.

3. Iron and aluminum chips are mixed in the fluid. This is a case of friction and interference between the rotating and fixed parts of the retarder, which should be disassembled and repaired as soon as possible. 

In addition to pay attention to the fluid quality of the hydraulic retarder, the maintenance and inspection of the circulating water circuit is also particularly important, which is related to the hydraulic retarder can be normal heat dissipation. 

Inspection should start from the following aspects to avoid water leakage:

1. Be diligent in inspecting to ensure that all cooling water in the cooling water circuit can be fed into the hydraulic retarder.

2. Ensure that there are no burrs or cracks in the joints of the cooling water pipes.

3. The cooling water pipes should not exceed the highest point of the engine when arranged.

4. Ensure that the cooling system and water pipes are properly ventilated.