Coolant/Antifreeze

[flyu2there]

Here is the DD list of approved coolants:

http://www.detroitdiesel.com/Support...int_93K217.asp

Now, after reading that, try this:

http://www.expertdiesel.com/cavitation.htm


Couple of potential trouble spots. Apparently OAT and HOAT antifreeze is much more common than conventional charged antifreeze. Not all sellers of the stuff are subscribing to the color codes (apparently)...Delo's OAT is green, easy to mix with conventional. Also it is apparent that mixing with tap water with high levels of total dissolved solids is also a trouble, probably wise to buy premixed. Sample for the test strips should be taken low in the system, not in the surge tank. The coolant filter should be changed annually. Long periods of sitting results in a very powerful mixtures of SCA's being dispensed from the filter on start up, once again, apparently just as bad as no sca's.

[truk4u]

After reviewing the list, it would appear that any of the ELC's could be used as long as they comply with EC-1.

EC-1 is Caterpillar's industry specification for an extended service, or long life, coolant. EC-1 defines the minimum requirements of a long life engine coolant and coolant extender intended for use in Caterpillar engines. EC-1 defines the physical and chemical properties, compatibility characteristics, bench and performance testing, and field testing requirements. A coolant meeting EC-1 also meets ASTM D4985. What makes EC-1 unique from other coolant specifications, is the field-testing. Field-testing establishes the practice for evaluating the ability of a long life coolant to provide acceptable corrosion control and cooling system performance with significantly reduced or no maintenance additions of inhibitor in field service.

[Denny]

The W. W. Williams Detroit Diesel and Allison facility that I use gave me the same info as Gary's. Use the two year antifreeze and check it periodically.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

I am curious as to why that advice is being given. If there is a good technical reason I can understand the advice, but if they just don't want to pay Caterpillar royalties that is not fair to their customers.

I would be willing to wager few people change their coolant every two years or change the conditioning filter as specified. If DD allowed or even recommended the extended life at least the engines would not lack coolant system maintenance. Coolant related failures on engines are a fairly high percentage of the reasons engines are trashed.

[Ray Davis]

A buddy of mine works for DD. I asked him the same question a year or so ago. Here's his reply. I'm also attaching the DD document he forwarded to me.

Different manufactures of coolant have different colors. The key is the
base make up of the coolant. There are 2 basic groups.

Ethylene-Glycol: This is the basic coolant. It is good for 1-2 years.
Organic Acid: Some manufactures say this is good for life or 500,000 miles
or...... That is great if you don't have a problem (leak, exhaust gases in
coolant, ect). This come in two types NOAT and OAT (with nitrites and
without), this depends on the engine and the amount of aluminum in the
engine components). If this coolant gets mixed with Ethylene Glycol (EG),
the entire system needs to be treated as if it is 100% EG. In other words,
it is NOT good for life.

You will here other terms like Propylene Glycol, this is sold as an
environmentally friendly coolant but it does not cool as good as EG.

I have attached our Coolant Selection document for addition reading or
forwarding to friends with questions.

And from a second email:

Power Cool - This is EG/water and a SCA(Suplmental Coolant Additive -
package that protects the metal). This is good for 2 years in your
application. The more mile you put on, the faster the SCAs burn off.

Power Cool Plus - This is EG/Water and OAT (Organic Acid Technology
additive package). This is good for 4 years in your application.

DDC does not sell a OAT coolant, only an OAT SCA.

Texaco and others sell OAT coolants, don't use any OAT coolant.

[Steve Bennett]

I have been leery of the extended life coolants, as I have seen extensive corrosion, and leaks in the welded recovery / surge tanks of various coaches that have come with factory initial fills with the Extended life coolants. We have seen a fair amount of leaks in the surge tanks on Foretravel coaches with the Texaco Extended life coolant. I have never seen a coolant leak on the same tanks in the older coaches with the standard coolant. We have also had coolant leak in other coaches (Country Coach) with the extended life coolant that appear to be caused by corrosion in in welded tanks. This is obviously not a scientific study, but has kept me using standard coolant with frequent servicing.

[Ray Davis]

I had also meant to say that with both of my last two coaches, when having them serviced at Marathon, they used regular coolant in them. I purchased some test strips, and meant to check that at OKC. Still need to!

Ray

[dale farley]

I was planning to change my coolant to the extended life Fleet Charge, but this is thread is making me wonder. When I bought my bus, it had been serviced by Prevost and Marathon in Dallas (somehweree around Dallas) and it had the regular green antifreeze in it.

When regular antifreeze is recommended, exactly what kind is it that is being used in our buses? What is Marathon installing?

[Ray Davis]

With my two buses Marathon installed the regular green coolant. This was at both the Florida and Texas facilities, so I assume it is company-wide policy.

ray

[GDeen]

Ok, so which one is the green one and which one is the red or other colors?

Mine has green in it, but all the low Si, HD diesel coolants I have found in parts houses and truck stops thus far are red (or purple)??