Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Confused about antifreeze for Cummins ISL 03 (Read 717 times) previous topic - next topic

Confused about antifreeze for Cummins ISL 03

1. There is a sticker on fill tank. Refill with diluted Shell Rotella ELC add no SCA. I am using Rotella ELC diluted with 50 percent distilled water.

2. I have no idea the antifreeze age but the coach has 46000 miles.

3. No Coolant filter on the coach. My Cummins has no coolent filter specified in any of the manuals.

Do I need SCA additives if so what to get and how to add.

2006 Nimbus 336
2006 Nimbus 336
Built 2005 may be one of the first coaches labeled Nimbus.
DEMCO Air-force One braking system.
Towing 2002 Jeep Wrangler Sport.
Road Master Falcon 5250 tow bar.

Re: Confused about antifreeze for Cummins ISL 03

Reply #1 –
No additives needed. Surprised that you haven't a water filter. Maybe someone with your year and model coach can add info.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Confused about antifreeze for Cummins ISL 03

Reply #2 –
I'm not positive of what engine we're talking about here, but I have a 2004 coach with an ISL 400 and I have a coolant filter.  I also run the same coolant as you so I replace the filter annually WITHOUT SCA.
Mark, Monique & Steven Hachigian
2004 36U295 Build No. 6239
2011 Honda CRV 4WD
2024 Dynamax Isata 5 30fw Xplorer

Re: Confused about antifreeze for Cummins ISL 03

Reply #3 –
Maybe they started shipping with the new coolant and decided the filter is unnecessary.😕
2006 Nimbus 336
Built 2005 may be one of the first coaches labeled Nimbus.
DEMCO Air-force One braking system.
Towing 2002 Jeep Wrangler Sport.
Road Master Falcon 5250 tow bar.

Re: Confused about antifreeze for Cummins ISL 03

Reply #4 –
The coolant has been around for 20 years. The filter catches casting particles that fall off in the water jackets and contaminants that might get entered into the system over the years.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Confused about antifreeze for Cummins ISL 03

Reply #5 –
Quote from: Hach –
I'm not positive of what engine we're talking about here, but I have a 2004 coach with an ISL 400 and I have a coolant filter.  I also run the same coolant as you so I replace the filter annually WITHOUT SCA.
About where is the coolant filter installed on your ISL 400? I understand that the coolant filter was not supplied by Cummins. I read this on line somewhere.
"Cummins does not supply the coolant filter head with the engine. That stopped with early ISC. Chassis builder adds the coolant filter head."
Is it on the driver side of your engine, almost 10-12" long?
Thank you,
AL
Former 2003 GV U295 (6230) (2015 - 2025)
Former 94 GV U225 (2013-2016)

Re: Confused about antifreeze for Cummins ISL 03

Reply #6 –
On the driver side. Up high? Front or rear on the side?

 I will look again. 

I see a long tube inline ob the passenger side. Two small hoses also. That looks like an oil cooler to me?

Will look in the morning.
2006 Nimbus 336
Built 2005 may be one of the first coaches labeled Nimbus.
DEMCO Air-force One braking system.
Towing 2002 Jeep Wrangler Sport.
Road Master Falcon 5250 tow bar.

Re: Confused about antifreeze for Cummins ISL 03

Reply #7 –
That is probably it, an oil cooler would have large hoses and be mounted near the side of the engine.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Confused about antifreeze for Cummins ISL 03

Reply #8 –
On mine it' is most easily seen by raising the bed.  It's on the driver's side of the engine outboard of the engine.  There's a gate valve on the fitting to prevent coolant spillage when changing.  One black hose in and one out.  It's a short white filter maybe 6 or 8".  I do believe that it's factory installed as it's not on the engine itself.  I'm sorry that I can't get you a photo because my coach is stored away.   
Mark, Monique & Steven Hachigian
2004 36U295 Build No. 6239
2011 Honda CRV 4WD
2024 Dynamax Isata 5 30fw Xplorer

Re: Confused about antifreeze for Cummins ISL 03

Reply #9 –
Quote from: craneman –
The coolant has been around for 20 years. The filter catches casting particles that fall off in the water jackets and contaminants that might get entered into the system over the years.
Cummins has come to the conclusion that their ISC engines are so clean internally that there is no need to worry about casting sand impacting the water pump impeller.

Regarding the original poster tmehrkam's question "Do I need SCA additives if so what to get and how to add."

Shell writes "Shell Rotella® ELC Nitrite Free may be used up to 1,200,000 miles or 24,000 hours of operation in Class 8 trucks reducing maintenance costs and downtime compared to conventional, fully formulated AFCs. Requires full use of Shell Rotella® ELC Nitrite-Free 50/50 Coolant + Antifreeze in the system and proper maintenance. Proper maintenance as detailed at shell.us/coolants.  Follow OEM recommendations for specified maintenance. Passenger car maintenance and other commercial application requirements vary."  So: ummmmm, yeah.

Heavy Duty Antifreeze | ELC Coolant | Shell Rotella® | Shell ROTELLA®

If you wanted to use a Cummins Fleetguard product, Test strips are about $8 per year, and if Supplemental Coolant Additives are found to be necessary than you can supplement your coolant's supplements with a dry chemical additive filter of by draining some coolant and adding a liquid supplement.  Math will be involved either way.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Confused about antifreeze for Cummins ISL 03

Reply #10 –
There is no filter on mine.

I traced the whole coolant path.

Mine is a 2006 year model assembled in 2005. 

The coolant leaves the engine goes to the radiator on the passenger side rear.  Leaves the radiator forward goes through a transmission cooler mounted inline.  A small amount is tapped for dash heat. It enters the engine on the drivers side. Metal tubes all the way. 

I am thinking after 2005 ISL engines do not have coolant filters and use the new coolant.

T.O.M.
2006 Nimbus 336
Built 2005 may be one of the first coaches labeled Nimbus.
DEMCO Air-force One braking system.
Towing 2002 Jeep Wrangler Sport.
Road Master Falcon 5250 tow bar.

Re: Confused about antifreeze for Cummins ISL 03

Reply #11 –
Coolant PH should be tested annually, coolant PH can change substantially over a two year period. As already said math should be used when adding additional antifreeze.
Our older 99 unit has a filter that also conditions the coolant.
David & Emma Roche
Dino (Golden Doodle)
1999 U270 WTFE 36' Build # 5534
Xtreme "Lights, Stripes & Roof"
Motorcade# 18321
Dayton, Ohio
Towd: Jeep Grand Cherokee
Two Townie Electra Bikes

Life is made to enjoy, the Foretravel helps!

Re: Confused about antifreeze for Cummins ISL 03

Reply #12 –
Quote from: "Irish" –
Our older 99 unit has a filter that also conditions the coolant.

Let me make a slight correction.  The coolant filter CAN (but doesn't have to) add SCA.  Yes, if you have the old generation coolant (low silicate for diesel with added SCA) filters with SCA can be used to add SCA (AFTER TESTING to determine the correct filter/correct quantity of SCA.

But (OK, large BUT) with the new generation OAT-based coolants, the coolant filter (called a BLANK) is just filter media, 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

Re: Confused about antifreeze for Cummins ISL 03

Reply #13 –
Enlightening discovery.  Knowing that design change for the ISL 400 between 2004-2006 coach models can prevent others from becoming confused.  It would be interesting to hear from a 2005 coach owner.
Mark, Monique & Steven Hachigian
2004 36U295 Build No. 6239
2011 Honda CRV 4WD
2024 Dynamax Isata 5 30fw Xplorer
 

Re: Confused about antifreeze for Cummins ISL 03

Reply #14 –
Yes, at some point, the bean counters did call for a coolant filter delete on Cummins engines.

EASY to verify, as the coolant filter is up high and on the driver's side of the engine.  Either there or not there.

Some without an OE filter have added an after market coolant filter housing/filter.
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