Before Starting

[dcwilkie]

Let's be honest now- how many of you follow the TM "before startup" checklist?
I have to say I'm guilty of an incomplete walkaround every startup so far.

I officially started using the checklist last night and will put a laminated copy in the glovebox for all future first starts.

I'd like to hear from members that have long-lived deuces and what they honestly consider an adequate "before startup" walkaround.

 

[clinto]

First, I check the oil. I check the coolant every few months or so.

Then I start it.

Once it's running, I walk around it and check for oil leaks, flat tires, lights that re non functional, cargo cover ropes unlashed, etc. Then I check the brake master cylinder.

Once I've done all this, it's usually built up enough air pressure for the buzzer to go off. At that point, I get in and check the brake pedal.

Assuming all is good, I am off.

 

[dk8019]

I'm new to this, but I'm still doing the complete walk around each time. I only drive it once or so a week, and I love mechanical things, so each check is just an investigation of how everything is doing again.

 

[gimpyrobb]

I kinda follow Clinto's deal. I don't check the oil level all the time, about 1 a month or so. If you haven't yet, you WILL run over something if you don't walk around the truck B4 moving it.

 

[dk8019]

Didn't I see some pictures of a crushed plastic tricycle or some such thing on here awhile back Gimpy?

My wife said it best, a new Deuce is like a new bride, when they are new to you, you take your time, do everything your suppose to do, and make sure it's ready to go.

 

[atilathehun]

i never used to walk around my truck till my father moved my tool box from the side of the drive way to under my back tires i had to cut the box open to get the tool out

 

[scooter01922]

Pretty much on the gimp and clinto plan. Hop in, crank it up and then a once over while she warms up.

 

[clinto]

Didn't I see some pictures of a crushed plastic tricycle or some such thing on here awhile back Gimpy?

My wife said it best, a new Deuce is like a new bride, when they are new to you, you take your time, do everything your suppose to do, and make sure it's ready to go.

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/deuce/5406-boy-am-i-trouble.html

 

[bigelk50]

I check the oil every few days. I make sure the brake is on and the shifter is out of gear. Just in case someone got in there. Then I fire it up. check to make sure the lights are working. I check the tires and to make sure I do not have any leaks of any kind. Once it has built air pressure I sometimes shut it off to listen for any more air leaks ( I have fixed a few). Then I am hop in and am ready for the joy of making everyone stare and smile!

 

[AaronW]

I drive my '71 M35A2 almost every day at least 10 miles(yesterday I did 80). I always jump in, fire her up and turn on lights and flashers, and jump out to do a quick look around. I look at all the tires and check all bulbs. I also glance up at exhaust just out of habit. After the 5 min wait...I peel out. Not!

I have yet to drain a fuel filter. I check oil/coolant/tire pressures about once per month. I have put a couple thousand miles on with no maint issues except a failed flasher relay. I really should check the master cyl today!

While driving I always scan gages and keep an ear out(with plugs in) for abnormal noises.

added....I also dump the air tanks about every third trip. Only one tank ever seems to mist out.

 

[gimpyrobb]

OH! I forgot, once I have changed a filter on a new truck, I usually don't mess with them anymore. Most of the fuel I run is filtered MANY times before it hits my tank. If water gets in the system, the filter will clog and starve the truck of fuel. I carry filters with me incase that happens.

 

[Chow717]

Pretty much on the gimp and clinto plan. Hop in, crank it up and then a once over while she warms up.

Exactly what I do...

 

[emr]

I always do a walk around check all bulbs and tires and look for leaks and no one under waiting to be run over, every time for 25 years, well almost, But really before the first time out of the day everytime, but at EVERY function i ALWAYS look underneath makeing sure no one is under there, once at an air show we were in the sun, and I walked around and found a couple all huggy uner the back up against the rear wheels, i was like what the ffff ??? They wanted to get out of the sun, go figure, they were/ are stupid people and there are alot out there...... all fluids are checked regularly thru out the year, all fluids...that is why for the short runs i look for leaks, if there are none they are still full,

 

[gimpyrobb]

Emr, there is always the possibility of the motor "making" oil. That is the main reason I check every so often. If the fdc fails, it can send diesel to the crankcase.

 

[dentman]

Emr, there is always the possibility of the motor "making" oil. That is the main reason I check every so often. If the fdc fails, it can send diesel to the crankcase.

hey gimpy, is there data on the fdc failing? not very likely etc .etc. i know nothing about that, only that alot were decommissioned in service. oh that reminds me - is there a way to tell if the fdc is in service? thanks man

edit -- scratch that request, lots of intel using the search function

 

[tjcouch]

In addition to the walk around checks listed above, I always punch the brake when I first start to reverse out of my yard.

 

[Pawnshop]

I remove and stow the Mermite insert covering the exhaust stack, check the shifter to be sure it's not in gear, hit master power and look/listen/smell for funny business and start her up, listen to the turbo and motor for funny sounds, listen to the air coming out of the open tank valve then shut valve, look at tires, check lights, remove and stow wheel chocks, give her a once over looking for obvious signs of tampering (open tool boxes, chains off tail gate etc...), remove and stow lock from steering wheel chain, climb in, look at gauges and if everything shows normal rev er up and pull out. I park in a chain link enclosure so I have to drive about 30 yd then get out again to shut the gate, that is my brake check spot.

I am in the group that looks for spots more than I look at dipsticks, but I do check the diffs, t-case, tranny, oil and water from time to time (but not every time) I should look under the hood more often, will put that on my list...

 

[bigelk50]

It is always good to hear what others do safety wise. It makes you realize what you should be doing. Good posts guys!!

 

[wsucougarx]

I check oil/brake fluid/fuel/TP/inner wheels for leaky wheel cylinders before each drive. I check battery fluid levels/antifreeze once per month. Before taking her out on the road I slam the brake pedal to make sure she feels good and then recheck the inner wheels for fluid. I'm still very much paranoid about brake failure in these truck. Haven't had a bad experience or anything...I guess just being overly cautious. I guess maybe every 6 months for diff/tranny/transfer case fluids. Haven't had my trucks long enough on the gear oil check except upon first recovery

 

[coyotegray]

It's not like you just checked it out of the motor pool and you have never seen it before. Most of us know our trucks so well that any significant leak or change in sound or other characteristics would be obvious to us.

The one thing I pay close attention to is the oil pressure when first starting.
I can even tell when the oil hits the turbo due to the slight change in sound.


I drain the tanks every time.

I will check the oil, coolant, break fluid, etc every so often or if I suspect anything but not every time.

Andy..