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Anti freeze question

Since I am going to need in the vicinity of 15 gallons of antifreeze for the engine and the aqua hot I would like the input from the guru's here on type. I know that I need ethylene glycol antifreeze (the green stuff). My question is does anyone have info/opinion on brands. The reason being that Peak is on sale at NAPA for 12.99/gal. At Orschelin they have a private label of what appears to be the same ingredients on sale for 8.99/gal.

In many industries which I worked in, the private label stuff came off the same assembly lines/ tanks/ storage bins as the national name brand. Any one with knowledge or opinions, please chime in.

Thanks in advance,
Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola"
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: Anti freeze question

Reply #1 –
Might be a good time to switch to the ELC that doesn't need testing or adding of chemicals. "The Final Charge" product is what I am using as it matches the factory ELC specs. that came new on my coach. Available at Walmart and other easy to buy places.
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: Anti freeze question

Reply #2 –
Check the label before purchasing.
Doug W.
96 36' U270 CSGI #4946
04 Toyota Tacoma 4x4
PNW

Re: Anti freeze question

Reply #3 –
Running the red extended life in my Cat. Cat put it in.
Regular green, Walmarts best in Kabota gen set
We changed out most the coaches to red Texaco extended life in the late 80's-90's at Foretravel
Chris and Tammy White  CDA Idaho
Previous owners 1997 U295 36' 3126 Cat 300 HP Build # 4998
Former Foretravel tech & RVIA certified tech
Former owner Custom Satellite home/RV satellites 
Former owner Vans LTD  van conversions
Unemployed, panhandler, drag racer NHRA #6348

Re: Anti freeze question

Reply #4 –
I'm changing ours over to Peak Final Charge Global, within the next few weeks. (PO put conventional in when the radiator was replaced) I bought 5 gallons of the concentrate to get the SG correct, since there will be some distilled water left in the system after the double flush. Once the mix is correct, I'll top-off with the, readily available, 50/50 premix. Also a good time to change the filter to a non SCA if you're going with the ELC, and any other cooling system parts that need replacing. Ours will be getting a new trans cooler, thermostat (it's just starting to hang a bit), wax capsule fan controller, rad hoses, and dash heater valve during the change.... I'm outta breath. :P

Greg
Greg & Cathy
2000 U320 4010 DGFE Build #5650
Had: 1999 Tradewinds 7370

Re: Anti freeze question

Reply #5 –
Thanks for the input everyone. Keep them coming. I have till sometime next week probably.

Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola"
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: Anti freeze question

Reply #6 –
Quote from: ohsonew –
Thanks for the input everyone. Keep them coming. I have till sometime next week probably.

Larry

This is my input.  I have used the following Lifetime red anti freeze in my last two rvs.  I am not just one to save dollars on coolant, I want the best.  My search ended up using the following with the zero SCA filter.  Do not be afraid to ask your Cummins parts dealer for a discount when doing a compleat change. They make this in both 50/50, and undiluted, make sure you order the right one.  I use the same coolant in my generator, switched with same as Brett's process for engine.

Organic Acid Technology (ES Compleat™ OAT) | Cummins Filtration

I recommend Brett's following post, see reply #13, on changing anti freeze.  It is the way I've always done the process in my cars, and rvs. As he says, distilled water is cheap, so I on the FT fushed 3 times with distilled water, ending with adding the proper amount of undiluted coolent to achieve 50/50 in the system.  I also would watch coolant level for at least 4 heat up, cool off, check level cycles.  I check coolant level at the start of every trip, short or long.

Again, see reply #13 from Brett.
How we replaced our anti-freeze coolant
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Anti freeze question

Reply #7 –
Get the ES complete and change any questionable hoses.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Anti freeze question

Reply #8 –
Quote from: John44 –
Get the ES complete and change any questionable hoses.

There are more than one Cummins ES Compleat.  One is blue ES Complete Ethylene Glycol and one is red ES Complete OAT.

ES Complete coolant and ES Complete OAT are two completely different products, the first one is blue the second one red.

I use the red OAT.

The recommended life for Cummins Fleetguard water filters by the mfg is one year.  For approx $1 a month, change the filter once a year.
97 U295 40, Build #5040, 6C8.3 325 HP
Oregon Continuous Traveler
Samsung Residential #RF20HFENBSR,
Xantrex SW2012, (3)AGM8D Hse, (2)AGM Grp24 Eng, Victron BMV-712, 1800w Solar 4 LG & 2 Sunpower
Extreme Full Body Pt w/hdlmps, new furn/floor, 4 down Lexus 2004 GX470 AWD curb weight 4,740 lbs
Prev: 1990 Barth, 10L 300 2 yrs; 91&92 Monaco Signature, 10 yrs, 10L C 300 &  6C8.3 300; 1997 ForeT 6C8.3 325 since May 2017.  Employed by Guaranty RV 14+ yrs.  Former VW New Car Dlr/Service Dlr, Sales Mgr, Rv Sales, and Service Adviser from 1968-2017
"Don't criticize what you can't understand" Bob Dylan

Re: Anti freeze question

Reply #9 –
To be honest I've not changed my filter since owning it. I didn't realize it existed till we were working on the turbo and I asked the mechanic. He wasn't sure, but thought it was for coolant filter. I did research and yep that was it for sure. The only thing I am happy about is that we drove more this year than all 4 years prior combined. It will definitely be changed when the new anti freeze goes in.
And It will be on the regular change list.

Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola"
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: Anti freeze question

Reply #10 –
Think I'd be a little leary if he was not sure about the coolant filter.
96 U270 BUILD 4810
85 380SL
Drummonds TN.

Re: Anti freeze question

Reply #11 –
IMPORTANT: The correct coolant filter depends on what coolant you use.

With the modern ELC coolants it must be a filter BLANK-- which provides filtration, but no SCA.

With the old-style low silicate with added SCA coolant, the coolant must be tested and a filter with the proper amount of SCA used.

Do not confuse this!
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: Anti freeze question

Reply #12 –
Thanks Brett. I appreciate the warning. I've had a very frustrating day on other matters, it's good to know someone has my back side.

Larry
Larry Warren
1996  U320 36' SBID "Lola"
Build #4970
Motorcade #18318

Re: Anti freeze question

Reply #13 –
I use Fleetguard WF2123 which is an extended life coolant filter and replace it every 3 years.
Regards,
Brett

'99 42' Foretravel Xtreme
'14 Brown Motorsports Stacker
'05 Chevy SSR
'02 BMW R1150R