Description

Komatsu S6D170-1, SA6D170-B-1, SA6D170-A-1 Workshop Manual

I’ve seen too many guys bring in a Komatsu diesel that’s been torqued to the wrong spec because some online guide said ‘tighten until it feels right.’ That’s how you crack a cylinder head. This Komatsu S6D170-1, SA6D170-B-1, SA6D170-A-1 Workshop Manual is what you need on the bench — not a third-party reprint, not a scanned copy of a copy. It’s the same 188-page book the dealer techs use, straight from the engineers who designed the 6D170-1 series diesel engine.

Why This Workshop Manual Beats Aftermarket Copies

Aftermarket manuals often skip the safety notices and use generic torque values that might be close but aren’t exact. For an engine like the 6D170-1 that sees heavy loading, getting the cylinder head bolt torque wrong by 10 ft-lbs can warp the block. This manual has the original Komatsu safety precautions on the third page — proper lockout, eye protection, and blocking the machine before you touch anything. The valve system section gives you the clearance specs for the crosshead and rocker arm, not some internet guess. When you’re paying for downtime, you want the factory numbers, not a close approximation.

What Does the Testing and Adjusting Section Cover?

Starting on page 12-1, this section walks you through the fuel system adjustments: fuel solenoid travel, engine stop motor timing, and fuel injection pressure. There’s also a list of required testing tools — Komatsu-specific gauges and adapters. But the real value is the troubleshooting table. Twenty symptoms are listed, from “Starting defective or badness” to “Battery does not charge.” Each symptom has numbered causes and corrective steps. You don’t have to guess; you go straight to the likely culprit based on what the engine is doing.

7 Systems Covered: From Intake to Electrical

The manual is split into five main chapters, but the first chapter alone covers seven major systems: Intake and Exhaust (including turbocharger and after-cooler), Engine Body (cylinder head, valve system, cylinder block, timing gear, flywheel), Lubrication System (oil pump, filter, cooler, relief valves), Fuel System (injection pump, nozzle, drive, filter, solenoid, engine stop motor, starting aid), Cooling System (water pump, fan drive, corrosion resistor, thermostat), Accessory (air compressor), and Electrical System (alternator, starting motor). Each system has its own chart showing oil flow or coolant path — that’s the kind of detail that gets you out of a bind fast.

Understand the Cooling System Before Overheating

If you’ve ever chased an overheating issue on a 6D170-1, you know the cooling system is more than just a water pump and radiator. This manual breaks down the corrosion resistor, the thermostat opening temperature, and the fan drive tension pulley adjustment. The cooling system chart shows exactly how coolant circulates through the after-cooler and oil cooler. Without that diagram, you might miss a blocked passage that causes repeat failures.

Valve System: Factory Specs for the 6D170-1 Series

The valve system section covers the crosshead, valve guide, push rod, and cam follower. The maintenance standard chapter (page 14-1) gives you the wear limits for the valve seat, guide bore, and stem diameter. For the S6D170-1 and the turbocharged SA6D170-B-1 and SA6D170-A-1, the specs are different at the exhaust valve guide — this manual tells you exactly where they diverge. If you’re doing a valve job, you need these numbers on paper.

Disassembly and Assembly: Where Most Mistakes Happen

Chapter 13 is brief but critical. It covers the general disassembly order — remove the fan, alternator, injection pump, then cylinder head. The assembly section warns about aligning the timing gear marks before bolting down the head. I’ve seen guys skip that step and end up with bent push rods. The manual doesn’t assume you know; it tells you the sequence. For something like the flywheel ring gear replacement in chapter 15, you get the press-fit dimensions and the correct heating method.

Does this manual cover the SA6D170-A-1 turbocharged engine?

Yes. Every variant – S6D170-1, SA6D170-B-1, and SA6D170-A-1 – has its own data in this manual.

How does the troubleshooting section help me diagnose a no-start?

The troubleshooting table on page 12-1 lists 20 symptoms, including “Starting defective or badness”, “Engine stopped during operation”, and “Engine does not start because of fault in electrical system”. Each symptom has a numbered list of likely causes and the corrective actions. This is not a generic list; it’s specific to the 6D170-1 series fuel system and electrical layout. You can go straight to the cause without replacing parts that aren’t broken.

For other Komatsu equipment, check the Komatsu WA65-5 WA70-5 WA80-5 2005 Workshop Manual for loader-specific procedures. The Komatsu WH609-1E0 WH613-1E0 WH713-1E0 WH714H-1E0 WH716-1E0 Workshop Manual covers combine engines, and the Komatsu PW95R-2 Workshop Manual – 520 Pages of Factory Specs is what you need for hydraulic excavator power units. If you’re aligning flywheels or doing clutch work, the same principles apply to a Manual Transmission bellhousing. Manual Transmission rebuilds require the same attention to OEM specs.

Torque it right. Access the Factory Manual from AutoRepairManuals and keep your shop backed up with the real data.