engine coolant

Topic: engine coolant (Read 1004 times) previous topic - next topic

engine coolant

November 12, 2011, 10:31:49 am

first diesel for me....coolant is a little low in resevoir...manual says caterpillar coolant only....is this true?

Re: engine ccoolant

Reply #1 – November 12, 2011, 10:36:01 am

Short answer, NO. UNLESS it has been changed to Caterpillar ELC, in which case you should only use that same coolant to top it off.

But, like all HD diesels, Caterpillar does spec a "low silicate coolant for diesels with added SCA". Should be in your Caterpillar Owners Manual (if you don't have one, you can get one at any Caterpillar dealer-- just give them your engine serial number).

And if the above coolant (vs one of the new generation ELC long life coolants) it should be changed every three years. That is why many of us with Caterpillar engines have switched to Caterpillar ELC. Cummins has a similar product. Change interval with ELC is 6 years with no testing/adding of SCA.

Change thermostat when you change coolant (per Caterpillar).

Re: engine ccoolant

Reply #2 – November 12, 2011, 10:39:20 am

First, welcome to the forum. It helps if you add details about your coach to your profile and in your signature line.

As to coolant. Rule of thumb, if in doubt follow the manufacturers recommendation. Cat DEAC coolant is good stuff. We have a Cat expert on here his tag is Wolfe10 he will be able to give you up-to date recommendations.

Keith

Re: engine ccoolant

Reply #3 – November 12, 2011, 10:40:15 am

Jeez, that was quick!

Keith

Re: engine ccoolant

Reply #4 – November 12, 2011, 10:44:00 am

Keith,

Ya, it is scary when we are all online at the same time.

But, leaving in a few minutes to go drive and then change transmission fluid in our U240.

Brett

Re: engine ccoolant

Reply #5 – November 12, 2011, 11:05:04 am

thanks...not sure about ELC....existing coolant is reddish in color.....

Re: engine ccoolant

Reply #6 – November 12, 2011, 01:53:01 pm

If in doubt (don't have receipt from previous owner), I would change it. Coolant is a LOT cheaper than replacing a radiator, etc.

Re: engine ccoolant

Reply #7 – November 12, 2011, 07:42:40 pm

Cheaper to have Cummins or a truck shop check your coolant with a test strip specified for red coolant. If the chemicals test correctly, just run it. Buy a small packet of test strips and check every six months. Don't buy a lot. They are date stamped and generally expire within a year.

Re: engine coolant

Reply #8 – November 12, 2011, 08:06:46 pm

I am not aware of a test for "red coolant". Caterpillar ELC is red, so are some Fleetguard products with different chemical makeups.

Sadly, red does not specify a type of coolant.

Re: engine coolant

Reply #9 – November 13, 2011, 09:39:16 pm

Brett,

You're technically correct. While Fleetgard ES Compleat is compatible with all ELC products, I guess there is a chance that there could be an improper coolant that could still pass the three chemical strip test, but I doubt it.

Re: engine coolant

Reply #10 – November 13, 2011, 10:37:02 pm

Quote from: amos.harrison – November 12, 2011, 07:42:40 pm

... check your coolant with a test strip ...

I bought a pack of four test strips for $15 at a Rush Truck Center near my home. The strips test the concentration of SCA (Supplement Coolant Additives). SCA are used in common glycol coolants to provide protection for a particular type of wear in diesel engine cylinder sleeves. The SCA are consumed in the process of protecting the engine. The level of SCA should be monitored, and the additives replaced as required to maintain proper concentrations.

Here is a link to information from Cummins:

Supplemental Coolant Additives (SCAs)

And here is a link to information from Caterpillar. Look on page 72 for information about coolants.

http://www.cat.com/cda/files/214956/7/SEBU6251-12-01-Mar09.pdf

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engine coolant

November 12, 2011, 10:31:49 am

Re: engine ccoolant

Reply #1 – November 12, 2011, 10:36:01 am

Re: engine ccoolant

Reply #2 – November 12, 2011, 10:39:20 am

Re: engine ccoolant

Reply #3 – November 12, 2011, 10:40:15 am

Re: engine ccoolant

Reply #4 – November 12, 2011, 10:44:00 am

Re: engine ccoolant

Reply #5 – November 12, 2011, 11:05:04 am

Re: engine ccoolant

Reply #6 – November 12, 2011, 01:53:01 pm

Re: engine ccoolant

Reply #7 – November 12, 2011, 07:42:40 pm

Re: engine coolant

Reply #8 – November 12, 2011, 08:06:46 pm

Re: engine coolant

Reply #9 – November 13, 2011, 09:39:16 pm

Re: engine coolant

Reply #10 – November 13, 2011, 10:37:02 pm

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