What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

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What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

January 23, 2019, 03:06:40 pm

In the past there has been much discussion and opinions on antifreeze for our Coaches. I ran into this article on the internet. Very informative and maybe useful to many here.
Enjoy!
John M.

What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants | MotorHome Magazine

Re: What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

Reply #1 – January 23, 2019, 03:17:38 pm

A quick scan of the article showed only one issue-- a problem with many manufacturer's recommendations (remember, most recommendations for coolants for HD diesels are for OTR trucks that pile up a LOT OF MILES):

"If your coach uses these coolants, the main requirement is to ensure that the system is properly filled, and at approximately three-year intervals, most of them require an extender to be added to restore the additive package."

OK as far as it goes, but the FULL STATEMENT is to add the extender after 3 years/300,000 miles. What we determined (worked with engineers at Caterpillar Corp) is that if the extender is added after 3 years and NORMAL MILEAGE ON AN RV (say 10k miles/year) that the addition on an extender "over-dosed" the system.

SO, for 99% of RV's the ELC's are "6 year put it in and forget it/do NOTHING".

Re: What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

Reply #2 – January 23, 2019, 06:00:37 pm

Yup;

Re: What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

Reply #3 – January 23, 2019, 06:27:15 pm

i changed my coolant about a month ago in my 8.3 cummins. I used prestone command
purple heavy duty concentrate. after properly rinsing out the system i filled with half antifreeze
and half distilled water, and put on a blank water filter. yesterday i checked it with an in
date fleetguard test strip. the test did not give me a good result.
i went to the cummins truck repair shop where i purchased the antifreeze and showed
the head mechanic the test strip. he said you can only expect a reasonable result with the old
style green antifreeze. the test strips are not accurate with all the new colored long life
antifreeze that is now on the market. he said just change it every 3 years and don't worry
about it.
i did not tell him it was in an r.v. , so i guess i am good for 6 years.

Re: What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

Reply #4 – January 23, 2019, 06:34:51 pm

Test strips are "Coolant Chemistry" specific.

Contact Prestone help line-- hopefully you will get past the operator. Ask them exactly what test strips should be used with their coolant.

A common cause of "contamination" is insufficient flushing of the lines through the water heater and heater core. That is a couple of gallons of .............

Re: What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

Reply #5 – January 23, 2019, 07:20:23 pm

I got tired of all the hype. Flushed the system.Used Walmarts green 50/50 with their distiled water. Test strips and change when needed..
Chris

Re: What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

Reply #6 – January 23, 2019, 07:45:20 pm

Quote from: gracerace – January 23, 2019, 07:20:23 pm

I got tired of all the hype. Flushed the system.Used Walmarts green 50/50 with their distiled water. Test strips and change when needed..
Chris

Chris,
When I get home I will check my supplies. I had the green stuff in my Monaco and bought all the test strips and water filters with the different units of chemical and gallons of the chemical to add to the green when needed. I will message you or call with the supplies and see if you want them.

Re: What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

Reply #7 – January 23, 2019, 09:06:38 pm

Be aware that the test strips DO expire. Pay attention to the expiration date on them.

Chris,
Was the "Walmart green" their low silicate for diesel coolant" or "regular automotive coolant"?

While the Caterpillar 3126 is a parent bore engine, Caterpillar still recommends a coolant formulated for diesels.

Re: What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

Reply #8 – January 24, 2019, 01:03:59 am

Quote from: wolfe10 – January 23, 2019, 09:06:38 pm

Be aware that the test strips DO expire. Pay attention to the expiration date on them.

Chris,
Was the "Walmart green" their low silicate for diesel coolant" or "regular automotive coolant"?

While the Caterpillar 3126 is a parent bore engine, Caterpillar still recommends a coolant formulated for diesels.

Yes

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What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

January 23, 2019, 03:06:40 pm

Re: What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

Reply #1 – January 23, 2019, 03:17:38 pm

Re: What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

Reply #2 – January 23, 2019, 06:00:37 pm

Re: What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

Reply #3 – January 23, 2019, 06:27:15 pm

Re: What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

Reply #4 – January 23, 2019, 06:34:51 pm

Re: What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

Reply #5 – January 23, 2019, 07:20:23 pm

Re: What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

Reply #6 – January 23, 2019, 07:45:20 pm

Re: What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

Reply #7 – January 23, 2019, 09:06:38 pm

Re: What You Need to Know About Diesel Antifreeze and Coolants

Reply #8 – January 24, 2019, 01:03:59 am

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