Cummins has test strips available, but only in a 50 pack.
The local Cummins dealer here does not have any ES Compleat OAT test strips in house, and their lead mechanic
says he goes by appearance and feel (between his fingers). I took a sample of my coolant to him and he did just
those two things, saying that as long as the OAT wasn't diluted by adding anything it's fine.
He's probably right (especially regarding our motorhomes, as we put so few miles on the engines compared to long-haul trucks)
but they do make the test strips and apparently aren't using them on anything...............at least here in Knoxville, Tennessee.
So, how do y'all know what's what with your OAT coolant?
The new-generation OAT based coolants are good for 6 years/600,00 miles. Unless you drive over 300,000 miles during that time, nothing needs to be done. If you change the coolant filter (a good idea) be sure to use a FILTER BLANK (Ii.e. zero units SCA). If you do drive 300,000 miles, then a booster is needed at that point.
Brett
I have in my drawer here part # CC2602A 4 test strip kit. Fleetguard part. Haven't used one yet. Tests freeze point, Molybdate and nitrite. I now see on the back it says use by March 2015. Guess that was a waste of money.
Yup, the test strips have a very short shelf life. Do not use them after the "expire date"-- the results will not be reliable.
One could invest in a refractometer ?!
I received this from Cummins;
If you are using a OAT coolant you will need to test with a 4-way test strip part # CC8997. 4-way test, test the following Molybdate, Nitrite, Freeze Point and pH. If you use a 3-way strip you will get a false reading. Color of the coolant does not matter. Please let me know if you need anything else.
Have a Blessed Day,
Micheal Byrum
Filtration/800Diesel Technical Senior Analyst
FTA: 1-800-22FILTER™ / 800-223-4583
No question, the test strips for OAT based coolants ARE different than those for "low silicate coolant for diesels with added SCA" (i.e. standard diesel coolant).
I converted to Fleetguard ES Compleat OAT so I guess those strips were useless anyway. Thanks for the info, when I finally test in a year or two I'll buy the right ones.
Hi All,
Prior to purchasing our 2003 U295, the prior owner hired Cummins to service the engine and replace the coolant. Upon my inspection, there was pink coolant in the coolant overflow tank. That tank is now empty, but the reservoir is full (pink/red color). So there is problem one; and I want to add coolant to the overflow tank to see if it is leaking or if the system purged itself and just needs more coolant. The receipts from Cummins indicate they installed 13 gallons of ES Compleat PG (CC2835) which is blue, but again the overflow tank showed pink coolant. The PO left a half gallon of the ES Complete PG blue in the coach and said that is what Cummins installed. The PO told me that once he drove the coach home from Cummins, the overflow tank was empty, so they drove out to his house and poured in additional Compleat. The labels read to install the Rotella coolant, which is pink, so thrown off a bit here.
Is there anyway to determine what is currently in the system? Any advice on whether the system possibly just needs to be topped off, after the initial 600 miles after Cummins "replaced" the coolant?
For whatever it worth, I had to top off twice after new coolant. Seems natural, but I also found a very small leak around a hose clamp just needed a little more tightening. I think coolant must fill a few voids or something after you run a little, needed about a quart later to be full? Anyway, after doing that, no more decrease.
hope helps, not misleads you!
mike
You can go to any Cummins dealer and get a test strip to test your propylene glycol. I usually take sample of the coolant with me
(obtained from the system via a drain petcock and not from the overflow tank ) and ask to have one of the mechanics dip and read the strip, as they do it regularly. Not sure about the color but they should know. The overflow tank not being full immediately after
Cummins replaced the coolant may just have been the system seeking it's level.
I would take a coolant sample to Cummins, buy a test strip, have them dip and read it and tell you what you need to do. They may suggest draining some coolant out and replacing it with concentrate. Don't buy more test strips than you will use at the time, as they get old quick and won't read correctly.
TLandon,
If it were mine, I would call the Cummins Service Center that changed the coolant and subsequently topped it off. I would describe the problem to them (Their service receipt does not match current coolant color). Are the Rotella labels, that you speak of, for an Extended Service, OAT Coolant that is pink? Maybe the Cummins Service Center Road Service topped it off with Rotella based on the coach's labels?
I know of no way to definitively determine which coolant is in your engine just as there is no way to definitively test for long term OAT coolant (PROTECTION) effectiveness. Cummins does sell a 4-way test strip (part # CC8997). The four way test strips give "Go-No Go" indications for the following: Molybdate, Nitrite, Freeze Point and pH. The rest is time and service hours related plus imprecise variables such as smell, color, clarity, suspended solids and "feel". I think that most OAT coolants are compatible, in terms of mixing, and there is Foreforum information to that effect, available through a FoFum site search as well as through an internet search.
The "topping off" of the overflow reservoir, after a coolant system flush and change may go on for some time and will vary considerably from coach to coach and from change to change. It all depends upon where the coolant-change-induced-air-voids became trapped and how long it takes for that air to find its way to the pressurized coolant reservoir and the translucent coolant overflow tank. Driven daily with the heating systems turned on, a coach's coolant system will recover (purge) quickly. Driven intermittently, without the heat on, for short distances, it could take months to purge entirely.
Hope this helps,
Neal
If I had a real question about what coolant was in my diesel engine then I would just go ahead and thoroughly flush the system and then fill with the proper mix of Peak Final Charge Global Extended Life OAT and distilled water (and a new "blank" coolant filter). My opinion is that the possible consequences of having the wrong coolant in the engine far outweigh the cost of a flush and refill.