I heard from others that it is sometimes difficult to find the OEM coolant that my coach and others came with. Back then it was known as Texaco Extended Life Coolant (ELC). This was indeed the case: I was unable to find it in any retail outlets locally.
With Chevron's acquisition of Texaco, the coolant has been rebranded as DELO® ELC Antifreeze/Coolant. I spent time on the phone with Chevron Lubricants tech support (877-491-3619, menu options 3 and 3) to find out where I could purchase ELC. They were super friendly and helpful, even to the point of doing research and calling me back. They sent me the product data sheet for ELC (attached) and you'll see that it specifies the particular models of Cummins engines for which this is an approved coolant.
To purchase the coolant they gave me a link to find a marketer (http://www.chevronlubricants.com/en_US/about-us/marketer-locator.html) (distributor who sells to retail outlets). The marketer gladly sold the coolant to me but only in case lots of 6 gal.
I also asked about products specifically sold to test ELC. They sent me to this web page where one can purchase test supplies and kits for ELC (http://www.chevronmerchcenter.com/productDetail.aspx?&itemID=ST250). There are products on those pages for both ELC and XLC coolants. ELC is the one I'd be interested in if I were to buy supplies.
Mark
I have a newbie question. If our Texaco antifreeze is extended life and good for 300,000 miles, why would it need to be changed?
John M.
John,
My understanding is that ELC has a service life of XX miles or YY years, whichever comes first. Someone please correct me if I'm off base, but I think our ELC's time limit was 5 years.
I found the Fleetguard red OAT at a frieghtliner store,this is the best coolant for a Cummins engine,just get a couple of extra gallons.
Is there a Cummins dealer in your area?
I take a coolant sample to my local Cummins shop, buy a couple of fresh test strips from parts and get one of the techs to dip and read. Or you can send a sample to a testing lab which is also much cheaper than buying a fleet test kit that will probably expire before you use it.
Most ELC's are 6 year life and basically unlimited mileage. Yes, if over 300,000 miles on the coolant, an extender is added. But if less than that, it is a put it in and forget about it coolant.
Please see the below response from Shell Lubricants-North America
Dear Bob,
To confirm our phone conversation regarding the Shell Rotella ELC and the use of the extender. For over the road applications, including RV's, the extender should be added at 300,000 miles. There is no time requirement for adding the extender. Regardless of the number of years you drive the RV, if you have less than 300,000 miles, you do not need to add the extender. The 3 year limit in our product data sheet refers only to off-road use, for instance in construction equipment. What this means is the Rotella ELC is essentially a "fill for life" product if you never reach 300,000 miles. We do recommend periodically checking the coolant freezing point using a refractometer. If there is any chance for cross contamination with another type of coolant or water dilution, we recommend using the Rotella ELC contamination test kit to confirm the proper levels of the OAT additive are present. This kit is available from Polaris Labs at 871-251-8313 and uses an extraction technique which takes about 5 minutes and actually confirms the OAT additive level. Should the kit indicate contamination, the coolant system should be drained, flushed, and re-charged with fresh Rotella ELC following the instructions on the container.
Best Regards,
Larry Morrison
Technical Advisor Shell Lubricants-North America
Tel: +01-800-237-8645 Options 4,1
Email: shelltechnical-us@Shell.com
Internet: Froxlor Server Management Panel (http://www.epc.shell.com)
Interesting information. Unless I blow a hose or lose coolant some other way, I am done with changing coolant for life.
Anyone want to buy 18 gal of coolant? Make you a killer deal! :))
FleetGuard "OAT" anti-freeze
50/50 pre-mix
part # CC-36077
Cummins or Fleet Pride
Thanks for the part numbers and advice. In the words of a Robert Earl Keen song, I'm "going to stick with the horse that brought me here". Replacing the coolant with the identical product won't require flushing and there's absolutely no compatibility issues. Plus I've already bought it.
I didn't see that. And you are dodging a bullet with causing a bunch of "weep" leaks by not flushing. don't ask how I know this.
Yeah, I'm hoping my coach has coolant drain petcocks so I don't have to mess with the hoses right now.
Got the coolant and filter changed today using the officially approved Wolfe method! My radiator does have a drain petcock so no hose removal. However it takes a long time to drain through that tiny orfice X3 times. In the process removed the coolant tank and treated the rust with POR-15. Not as bad as some and glad it's done.
Biggest surprise of the day was not being able to open the POR-15 can!!! I last used it in May and it was frozen shut.
Lol looks to have rusted shut..
:)) ^.^d
Mark I must say you were determined to get that can opened. I removed the entire petcock and the rate of flow was impressive. Antifreeze is like campfire smoke, no matter where you position yourself it will find you!
Fleetguard # CC-360770-0 OAT (50/50 mix.
Bought at Fleet Pride, 3 gal per case
I drank a little tonight.. gotta say the flavor last longer than any piece of gum I have tried :)) :))
Food grade Propolyene glycol is a sweetner used in some soda pops among other things. Really old time mechanics used to test antifreeze concentration by tasting sweetness. Not recommended.
I had the stuff all over me by the end of the day. It was not a hard job but very messy. I could still smell it on me yesterday. Maybe if I took more than one shower a week it would help!
Very valuable thread since my radiator is being replaced tomorrow - as always, THANK YOU!