Since I am going to need in the vicinity of 15 gallons of antifreeze for the engine and the aqua hot I would like the input from the guru's here on type. I know that I need ethylene glycol antifreeze (the green stuff). My question is does anyone have info/opinion on brands. The reason being that Peak is on sale at NAPA for 12.99/gal. At Orschelin they have a private label of what appears to be the same ingredients on sale for 8.99/gal.
In many industries which I worked in, the private label stuff came off the same assembly lines/ tanks/ storage bins as the national name brand. Any one with knowledge or opinions, please chime in.
Thanks in advance,
Larry
Might be a good time to switch to the ELC that doesn't need testing or adding of chemicals. "The Final Charge" product is what I am using as it matches the factory ELC specs. that came new on my coach. Available at Walmart and other easy to buy places.
Check the label before purchasing.
Running the red extended life in my Cat. Cat put it in.
Regular green, Walmarts best in Kabota gen set
We changed out most the coaches to red Texaco extended life in the late 80's-90's at Foretravel
I'm changing ours over to Peak Final Charge Global, within the next few weeks. (PO put conventional in when the radiator was replaced) I bought 5 gallons of the concentrate to get the SG correct, since there will be some distilled water left in the system after the double flush. Once the mix is correct, I'll top-off with the, readily available, 50/50 premix. Also a good time to change the filter to a non SCA if you're going with the ELC, and any other cooling system parts that need replacing. Ours will be getting a new trans cooler, thermostat (it's just starting to hang a bit), wax capsule fan controller, rad hoses, and dash heater valve during the change.... I'm outta breath. :P
Greg
Thanks for the input everyone. Keep them coming. I have till sometime next week probably.
Larry
This is my input. I have used the following Lifetime red anti freeze in my last two rvs. I am not just one to save dollars on coolant, I want the best. My search ended up using the following with the zero SCA filter. Do not be afraid to ask your Cummins parts dealer for a discount when doing a compleat change. They make this in both 50/50, and undiluted, make sure you order the right one. I use the same coolant in my generator, switched with same as Brett's process for engine.
Organic Acid Technology (ES Compleat™ OAT) | Cummins Filtration (https://www.cumminsfiltration.com/organicacidtechnology)
I recommend Brett's following post, see reply #13, on changing anti freeze. It is the way I've always done the process in my cars, and rvs. As he says, distilled water is cheap, so I on the FT fushed 3 times with distilled water, ending with adding the proper amount of undiluted coolent to achieve 50/50 in the system. I also would watch coolant level for at least 4 heat up, cool off, check level cycles. I check coolant level at the start of every trip, short or long.
Again, see reply #13 from Brett.
How we replaced our anti-freeze coolant (https://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=15040.0)
Get the ES complete and change any questionable hoses.
There are more than one Cummins ES Compleat. One is blue ES Complete Ethylene Glycol and one is red ES Complete OAT.
ES Complete coolant and ES Complete OAT are two completely different products, the first one is blue the second one red.
I use the red OAT.
The recommended life for Cummins Fleetguard water filters by the mfg is one year. For approx $1 a month, change the filter once a year.
To be honest I've not changed my filter since owning it. I didn't realize it existed till we were working on the turbo and I asked the mechanic. He wasn't sure, but thought it was for coolant filter. I did research and yep that was it for sure. The only thing I am happy about is that we drove more this year than all 4 years prior combined. It will definitely be changed when the new anti freeze goes in.
And It will be on the regular change list.
Larry
Think I'd be a little leary if he was not sure about the coolant filter.
IMPORTANT: The correct coolant filter depends on what coolant you use.
With the modern ELC coolants it must be a filter BLANK-- which provides filtration, but no SCA.
With the old-style low silicate with added SCA coolant, the coolant must be tested and a filter with the proper amount of SCA used.
Do not confuse this!
Thanks Brett. I appreciate the warning. I've had a very frustrating day on other matters, it's good to know someone has my back side.
Larry
I use Fleetguard WF2123 which is an extended life coolant filter and replace it every 3 years.