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by Andy Is Wicked Married to Penal Colony on July 30th, 2004

Andy Is Wicked Married to Penal Colony

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What is a "jake brake"?

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  • by dieselfool on August 8th, 2006

    dieselfool

    Very good answer, but I would just like to add that even though they are called "Jake Brakes" there are other manufactures, Pacbrake and Caterpillar make there own. They are called jake brakes because of the original manufacture, Jacobs. But are referred to as a compression brake. Also alot is to do with the electronics, especially with the new engines. Older engines used an idle switch that would only allow positive voltage to go to the jake brakes if you were appling no throttle. Also some of the older engines would allow you to turn on the jakes at an idle, almost killing the engine. This could be bad if the throttle was applied, as it would end up in bent valves or even worse. Newer engines have to meet demands for the jake brakes to work. Such as the clutch pedal has to be disengaged, and no throttle pedal. Also on newer engines it is possible to program the ECM to activate the jake brakes in cruise control to keep the vehicle from exceeding the set cruise control speed and also different variations as to how to get the jakes to operate, like first applying the brake pedal or holding constant pressure on the brakes. However old or new, jake brake is a proven technology that will continue to be on diesel engines to aid in controlled driving of the vehicle.

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    • Caterpillar actually does not make their own compression release brake, rather, they make what they call a Brakesaver, which is another form of engine brake, but not a compression release brake.

      Pacbrake and Tecbrake are the two other major manufacturers of compression release brakes.

      vrsixer

      by vrsixer on December 28th, 2007

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