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Topic: Antifreeze green or pink (Read 1176 times) previous topic - next topic

Antifreeze green or pink

OK I need antifreeze. Can anyone tell me if there is any difference between Pink SCA and Green SCA based antifreeze. Mine is green SCA and all I can find is Pink SCA based

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Antifreeze green or pink

Reply #1 –
Roland......this information I got directly from Cummins.........use ANY coolant (color does not matter) that MEETS CUMMINS 14603 specifications. Mine happens to be purple.
1994 U280, Build 4490
Deming, NM.

Re: Antifreeze green or pink

Reply #2 –
I bought some pink stuff by mistake but it does meet the Cummins spec. Can't find the green anywhere. Thanks for the info Twig.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Antifreeze green or pink

Reply #3 –
Please don't make the mistake of identifying coolant type by color as 90% of mechanics do.  There is no uniform color code.  SCA containing antifreeze can be several different types, any color. Propylene glycol, ethylene glycol.....  The rub is, while either of several formulations may be approved for your engine, they types don't necessarily mix or play well together.
"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: Antifreeze green or pink

Reply #4 –
Well, that makes it clear as mud :))  So, if you don't know what you have in there now, how do you find the best playmate fot it? :D
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: Antifreeze green or pink

Reply #5 –
Larry,

If you don't know what is in there, and you are only down less than a gallon, best advice is to just add distilled water.  Then test the coolant after a week or so. Better than contaminating the system.

Test strips: http://www.wixfilters.com/Lookup/PartDetails.aspx?Part=22873

Be aware that they do have a reasonably short shelf life. Do NOT use if expired, they are unreliable. Most all shops that work on HD diesels have these or other brand test strips in stock.

Note: these strips are ONLY for "low silicate for diesel with added SCA" coolant, NOT the OAT-based coolant.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Antifreeze green or pink

Reply #6 –
Thanks Brett. I just thought that sometimes the answers raise more questions.
Larry
1996 U295 36'
Build # 4805
Actually we sold it but just like to lurk

Re: Antifreeze green or pink

Reply #7 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
If you don't know what is in there, and you are only down less than a gallon, best advice is to just add distilled water.  Then test the coolant after a week or so. Better than contaminating the system.

Excellent advice (as Brett always provides).

I would also suggest  that it might be a good time to thoroughly flush the system and change the coolant filter and install new OAT antifreeze. I did that last year and installed Peak Final Charge Global PEAK Commercial & Industrial | PEAKhd.com and a new "blank" coolant filter and now feel confident about what's in the cooling system.

David and Carolyn Osborn
1995 U320C SE 40' Build 4726 Feb 1995
FMCA 147762
Motorcade 17186

Re: Antifreeze green or pink

Reply #8 –
David,

I totally agree.  If you do not know the age or kind of coolant and will be keeping the coach, a complete flush and fill is an excellent idea.

Here are some step by step instructions for doing it correctly: ***Changing Coolant-- A Step By Step Description***
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Antifreeze green or pink

Reply #9 –
OK after reading all the responses I searched my records to determine what I had for antifreeze not based on color. I have ethelyne glycol antifreeze and it is green. The " pink " stuff I bought is also ethelyne glycol based with SCA and meets the Cummins' specification. So guess I can mix pink and green, wonder what color I will end up with. ::) What started all this was coolant loss due to a bad gasket on the radiator cap. Getting a new radiator cap is a whole other story and I am still in the process. Thanks to all for your responses, the forum comes through once again.

Roland
1993 U280 4341
2010 Jeep Liberty
The Pied Pipers

Re: Antifreeze green or pink

Reply #10 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
If you don't know what is in there, and you are only down less than a gallon, best advice is to just add distilled water.  Then test the coolant after a week or so.
Yup, our CAT advice is the same, and yes, our coolant needs refreshing after six years, which is what CAT (& Brett) suggest.  ^.^d
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'

Re: Antifreeze green or pink

Reply #11 –
Mike,

Actually with the Caterpillar ELC (properly flushed and changed!), its published life is 6 years/600,000 miles.  With a "booster" if driving over 300,000 miles during that time.

I would not be afraid to have it tested and extend to 7-8 years if OK in low mile applications.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Antifreeze green or pink

Reply #12 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
I would not be afraid to have it tested and extend to 7-8 years if OK in low mile applications.

Thanks Brett, we are "low mile" folks, these days. As you know, we are neither "pink or blue" with our  CAT.
1993 U-240 "La Villa Grande"..CAT 3116 w/ Pacbrake PRXB...Allison 3060 6-speed..
Previous: 1983 Airstream 310 turbo diesel, 1979 Airstream 280 turbo diesel
                                      Build # 4297
                                      PNW natives
                      Home base:  'Cactus Hug' (Ajo, Arizona)
                        DW Judy & Chet the wonder dog
                        Full-Timers 'Sailing the asphalt sea'
 

Re: Antifreeze green or pink

Reply #13 –
Mike,

Better be "strawberry"!  If not, someone has contaminated it.

Also, should have a coolant filter BLANK (no SCA).
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020