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Topic: MIXING BRANDS OF COOLANT --What would you do? (Read 1441 times) previous topic - next topic

MIXING BRANDS OF COOLANT --What would you do?

I have been driving for the past four days with two different brands of coolant in the radiator.  One is Prestone and the other is about a gallon of the only brand I could find at Flying J that was rated for Heavy Duty Trucks.  It is a brand I do not remember.  {Any port in a storm.}

So here is my question.  Should I have the radiator drained and re-filled with one brand of coolant?
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: MIXING BRANDS OF COOLANT --What would you do?

Reply #1 –
If you don't know what type you mixed it with, you should change it.

Warning: There are Organic Acid antifreeze/coolants (OAT) advertised as "extended life" coolants i.e. DEXCOOL®, Texaco® Extended Life Antifreeze and Caterpillar® Extended Life Antifreeze.
These products' performance may be compromised if mixed with conventional coolants.
Do not mix the two.
Organic acid antifreeze/coolant can be recognized by its distinctive orange or red-orange color.
[Quote from Penray Tech Bulletin # 01.004 dated 01/12/01].

(If you mix OAT and conventional coolants, the mixture will still cool your engine ok, but the corrosion and cavitation inhibitors will be screwed up and engine damage could result.)
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: MIXING BRANDS OF COOLANT --What would you do?

Reply #2 –
Barry,

Thanks for the excellent information. The coolant I added is an orange color (the container label mentions OAT) as was the Prestone as was what was left in a small transfer bottle used by the previous owner to add coolant. However, since I seem to have an on-again and off-again leak in the radiator and I do not know if Barr's has ever been added to the coolant, I will have MOT drain, flush and refill the radiator, and possibly add Barr's.

I think the old phrase is having a dollar standing on a dime.  Or, the one I grew up with:  "don't be penny wise and pound foolish."
George Stoltz.  Retired from full-time living in a great Foretravel and now are back to living in a traditional sticks and bricks in Florida.

Re: MIXING BRANDS OF COOLANT --What would you do?

Reply #3 –
Motorhome magazine had a excellent article on coolant in the current copy.  Should be a must read for everyone with a diesel!  Pick up a copy at the store.  June 2010 issue.
1994 U225
build #4514

Re: MIXING BRANDS OF COOLANT --What would you do?

Reply #4 –
Had to run to a VA blood test appointment.  but back now. 

Think if you have a diesel with sleeves, you should be running the best  antifreeze for a diesel with sleeves!  When I say sleeves, I am talking about the Cummins ISC, ISM, ISL, and ISX, and the Cat C9, C11, and C13, which are all of wet cylinder sleeve design.  And I think we should not have to be testing antifreeze and adding additive when required as determined by the test.  Just to much messing around.  Probably the best thing out there for us is ELC type coolant, such as Rotella ELC or Final Charge Global Extended Life.  Both can be purchased pre-diluted or concentrated.  ELC is a extended life coolant and should last up to 600,000 miles.  How long in years does it last?  One important thing to remember - some older engines may not be compatible with ELC coolants because of gasket or seal incompatibility.  Check with your engine manufacturer to make sure you do not mess up anything.
1994 U225
build #4514