I believe that the Cummins 5.9 that was used in the Dodge P/U is different from the medium duty truck engine. The truck engine is a wet sleeve whereas the P/U engine is not.
Actually Peter, my research on my U-225 resulted in it not being a wet sleeve or any different than the P/U truck engine according to my local Cummins shop. Standard automotive antifreeze is just fine.
Kent,
Don't go by the antifreeze spec. My C8.3 also uses standard automotive antifreeze at a 50-50 mix as well.
If your 8.3 is wet sleeve, what prevents skirt damage due to cavitation? I thought wet sleve/skirt diesels could not use standard antifreeze.
Kent,
I'm not an expert...there is the following information for the C8.3 engine coolant...
Coolant Filter- Fleetguard WF2051 also check WF2071.
SCA Concentration 1.2 to 3.0 units/gal
Coolant Test Strips, CC2602AM
I understand that the Specific Coolant Additive contained in the filter is for the cavitation issue.
Peter, I was not aware you could get filters with the SCA additive in them. If you need SCA, you have a wet sleeve engine. My understanding is that the 5.9 in the U225 does not need SCA or a special filter, just regular antifreeze like the pickup engine.
There's more...
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:8ZqSWMee3uYJ:www.beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/PDF/b59-and-c83-oil-schedule.pdf+fleetguard+SCA+filter&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESg0LlTMeH5xGnLk1HUY3fNvXi2nxMk-RkzNzfRjMN3ypJia4owFL0S7tw06170RabluJtYGMXJfjO556px1LcTRA1Ob6_BqjpyD27hBLVnCsQ_KKRmwSOzFIce6nkiew4vH0Bgt&sig=AHIEtbRpLtrqd1JvDzDNxwRxrTVAWcGrBg (http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:8ZqSWMee3uYJ:www.beamalarm.com/foretravel-links/PDF/b59-and-c83-oil-schedule.pdf+fleetguard+SCA+filter&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESg0LlTMeH5xGnLk1HUY3fNvXi2nxMk-RkzNzfRjMN3ypJia4owFL0S7tw06170RabluJtYGMXJfjO556px1LcTRA1Ob6_BqjpyD27hBLVnCsQ_KKRmwSOzFIce6nkiew4vH0Bgt&sig=AHIEtbRpLtrqd1JvDzDNxwRxrTVAWcGrBg)
or
RV Maintenance and Operation B5.9 and C8.3 Engines (http://beamalarm.com/Documents/rv_maintenance_and_operation_b5.9_and_c8.3_engines.html)
I thought that Cummins built the Dodge engine to a lesser duty cycle than those Cummins built for motorhome chassis. Then again, maybe the only difference between the engines built in those days was the injector, pump, turbo, etc.
Peter, as I read it, the 8.3 is a "wet liner" engine and does require additional SCA. The 5.9 does not. Is that the way you read it?
Its my understanding that if the proper amount of SCA or similar chemicals are not used in a wet liner/sleeve engine the cavitation will cause pitting on the outside of the liner and premature liner failure. That was one of the things I liked about the 5.9 Cummins, much simpler maintenance and less quantity of oil per oil change.
Kent,
That's also the way I read it. The 5.9 Cummins is not a wet sleeve engine which may use the Cummins spec. Fleetguard Compleat anti freeze with SCA as well.
"
Pre-formulated Antifreeze and SCA
Pre-formulated antifreeze, such as Fleetguard Compleat, offers
a vehicle owner the convenience of a pre-mixed antifreeze
solution containing high quality water and the correct chemical
balance of antifreeze and SCA. Compleat may be used with the
B5.9"
We are on the same page but I am a Walmart kinda guy. I don't like giving my money to the local Cummins dealer. They snookered me one too many times. Hopefully, I will find out if the Detroit/Allison dealer is any better late this week.
One clarification.
With any engine other than the Cummins B 5.9 engine, the "poorest" acceptable coolant is: Low silicate for diesels with added SCA. Regular automotive coolant is NOT acceptable, as they have high silicate content as well as no SCA.
A better option is the OAT based long life coolants.
Do NOT mix the two types.
Brett