Coolant Recovery Tank

Topic: Coolant Recovery Tank (Read 1266 times) previous topic - next topic

Coolant Recovery Tank

May 12, 2016, 09:30:42 pm

After round trip Kerrville to NAC and back--coach has been sitting. Just checked fluids and found recovery tank completely dry but main tank full up to the neck just below what I call radiator cap In my other coach at "cold" there was always coolant in the recovery tank. Is what I just described normal for FT or do I have a problem? All help will be appreciated.

David Spoor. 1999 U 295. C 3 engine

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #1 – May 12, 2016, 09:38:58 pm

Yes, you should always have coolant in the overflow reservoir.

There will be a cold and hot mark on it.

Coolant could be leaking somewhere in the system or the reservoir could be cracked.

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #2 – May 13, 2016, 10:46:05 am

Whew! Loose coolant filter! One more down!

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #3 – May 13, 2016, 11:01:51 am

WAIT. That is too easy (and free)!

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #4 – May 13, 2016, 11:46:27 am

Quote from: Dspoor – May 13, 2016, 10:46:05 am

Whew! Loose coolant filter! One more down!

Mine leaked, I tighten it and was fine for awhle then it started leaking again. I replaced and it did not leak again.

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #5 – May 13, 2016, 11:59:49 am

When replacing the water filter, it is critical that you spec the correct one: If one of the new OAT-based coolants, you will need a filter BLANK (no SCA/DCA).

If you have the older generation coolant (low silicate for diesels with added SCA/DCA) you need to test the SCA/DCA concentration (test strips) and then spec the coolant filter with the proper amount of SCA/DCA. IMPORTANT: IT MAY NOT, REPEAT NOT BE THE SAME FILTER ON THERE NOW!

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #6 – September 06, 2016, 12:47:55 pm

Quote from: wolfe10 – May 13, 2016, 11:59:49 am

When replacing the water filter, it is critical that you spec the correct one: If one of the new OAT-based coolants, you will need a filter BLANK (no SCA/DCA).

It is my understanding that the correct filter is based on the engine serial number, at least with Cummins.
My ISL400 left the factory with OAT coolant and requires a filter with 4 units of SCA/DCA additives.

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #7 – September 06, 2016, 12:52:57 pm

Quote from: Traveling Man – September 06, 2016, 12:47:55 pm

It is my understanding that the correct filter is based on the engine serial number, at least with Cummins.
My ISL400 left the factory with OAT coolant and requires a filter with 4 units of SCA/DCA additives.

Everything I've read indicates that OAT coolant does not require a filter with additives, and that a blank filter should be used with OAT coolant.

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #8 – September 06, 2016, 01:12:02 pm

I dunno except I'm in the process of ordering all new filters today and the service manager at Cummins checked my engine number
and told me what I posted above. I questioned him initially because the water filter that's presently on my engine has 4 units of
additive, which didn't seem right to me. He researched it using the engine number and called me back to say it needed the exact filter that's on it. I never told him in advance what it had, only asked what it should have.

My previous '01 ISC350 used a blank water filter with the OAT coolant.

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #9 – September 06, 2016, 01:31:38 pm

I know what your saying but think for a moment,how can anyone tell you what kind of coolant is in your system by you giving
them your serial number.You test the coolant to see what you have.

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #10 – September 06, 2016, 01:32:36 pm

It is and was OAT.

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #11 – September 06, 2016, 01:59:13 pm

Quote from: Traveling Man – September 06, 2016, 01:12:02 pm

I dunno except I'm in the process of ordering all new filters today and the service manager at Cummins checked my engine number
and told me what I posted above. I questioned him initially because the water filter that's presently on my engine has 4 units of
additive, which didn't seem right to me. He researched it using the engine number and called me back to say it needed the exact filter that's on it. I never told him in advance what it had, only asked what it should have.

I suspect the engine was originally delivered with an older type of coolant that required the filter with the additive. That information he saw would have been accurate back then at that time, but isn't accurate now with OAT coolant in the system.

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #12 – September 06, 2016, 03:29:57 pm

So have we solved or corrected the recovery tank delema and are moving on to something else? Could it be that he is simply low on coolant and by adding some would have enough to leave some in the recovery tank when the engine has cooled off? I tend to get lost when the discussion goes over ten contributors.

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #13 – September 06, 2016, 03:34:18 pm

Cummins is tough to talk with. Here they check the OAT between their fingers and don't know what 4-way test strips are. They can order them in packs of 50 if I choose, but what the heck am I going to do with that many, especially with such a short shelf life?

I have tried contacting a tech rep via email and phone, and have never received an real answer to my question about testing OAT.

My rig has the original stickers on both the Cummins and Kubota overflow tanks that say not to use anything but Shell Rotella extended life coolant. Shell ELC was available in '02 which would fit the time frame of my '03 FT.

But what if you're correct, and each time the water filter has been changed since the introduction of OAT the wrong filter with additives has been used..............has the engine cooling system suffered because of it, and if so how and to what extent?

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #14 – September 06, 2016, 03:51:01 pm

Darn confusing what filters to use with what engine. Our CAT wants to look at a "blank cooler filter", which I'd never heard of.

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #15 – September 06, 2016, 04:07:16 pm

Quote from: mike leary – September 06, 2016, 03:51:01 pm

Darn confusing what filters to use with what engine. Our CAT wants to look at a "blank cooler filter", which I'd never heard of.

Coolant filters can provide TWO functions:

1. All of them serve as filters.
2. They can also contain SCA (Supplemental Cooling Additive- with filters ranging from 2-16 units of SCA). SCA is used with regular "low silicate for diesel with added SCA" coolant. It is NOT, repeat, NOT used with the new generation OAT-based long life coolants. Since you have Caterpillar ELC (or at least I assume that is what you still have) you have to use a filter blank. Were you to use one with SCA, it would contaminate the system.

BTW, this holds true for all diesels, irrespective of brand. They all have the same mil specs that coolant must meet.

Many Foretravels came from the factory with the new generation OAT-based coolant. I know Texaco brand was used for a number of years.

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #16 – September 06, 2016, 04:10:29 pm

My understanding is a "blank" is the filter with no additive.

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #17 – September 06, 2016, 04:27:45 pm

While we are on the subject .. anyone have a part number for the overflow cap.. PO lost the overflow cap somewhere and I need to get another.. thanks

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #18 – September 06, 2016, 04:42:22 pm

Howdy DavidS, This post from Bob, may help you:
Plastic overflo tank cap
Good Luck, Dave A

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #19 – September 06, 2016, 07:04:42 pm

Quote from: Traveling Man – September 06, 2016, 01:12:02 pm

I dunno except I'm in the process of ordering all new filters today and the service manager at Cummins checked my engine number
and told me what I posted above. I questioned him initially because the water filter that's presently on my engine has 4 units of
additive, which didn't seem right to me. He researched it using the engine number and called me back to say it needed the exact filter that's on it. I never told him in advance what it had, only asked what it should have.

My previous '01 ISC350 used a blank water filter with the OAT coolant.

I don't know if this will shed any light on this. This subject is important especially the page where it says to only treat once to prevent engine damage.
I found this letter in the papers saved in my coach.
The sticker showing installation of the silicate is on my recovery bottle.

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #20 – July 18, 2019, 07:34:22 pm

/Users/hallcapital/Desktop/Foretravel/IMG_1914.jpg

Does anyone have this 14" tall coolant reservoir with cold and hot marks? Can you provide the measurement from the bottom of the tank to each the cold and hot marks. This will enable me to mark my reservoir for monitoring. My eyes may not be what they used to be but surely they could find those markings.

Greg

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #21 – July 18, 2019, 07:55:16 pm

Here is the photo

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #22 – July 18, 2019, 08:32:28 pm

I have the same 14" tall tank. From the bottom of the tank, 5" up is the COLD mark, and 10" up is the HOT mark.

The words HOT and COLD appear to be simply printed on the plastic. There are no molded letters or level lines. Pretty chintzy design.

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #23 – July 18, 2019, 09:09:52 pm

Shortly after this thread was active three years ago I flushed and replaced all the old OAT coolant with new,
and put on a new blank filter............ and I have a baseline now.
Thank y'all for your input.

Re: Coolant Recovery Tank

Reply #24 – July 18, 2019, 10:05:35 pm

Since my ism 450 has green fluid I am getting things together to change to OAT and I'm going to use either a Fleetguard WF2077 or Baldwin B5134 both say they contain no chemicals.... this is the change out procedure I'm thinking about using

Drain old coolant responsibly
Fill with tap water and circulate for first flush. Heater on while circulating. Run till hot. Drain. Rinse out overflow tank.
Fill with distilled water, circulate till hot, drain. Change filter
Fill with OAT, I have concentrate so half OAT half distill water. Run till hot check and top off level. Fill overflow to correct level with 50/50 mix.

If there is something I missed let me know...

Keith

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