Changing Coolant, How important is it?

[BothellDiesel]

Rotella ELC in my 02 was great stuff. CAT uses it exclusively



Now... ... ..... I just use the Schaeffers spike kit. 8 ounces treats the entire system.

 

[CATCRACKER]

i bought the napa premixed nothing special (dont have to worry about cavication b/c we have throw away motors) added royal purple additive.



it has never been changed 95K and when i did it was red from rust and corrosion. i think that is what killed my water pump. oh well these motors take alot more abuse than having a little tired coolant in them.



5 gallon bucket will get it done getting the plastic res out is a pain in the butt. have fun.

 

[MickeyMiller]

At 100K, and 5 years, I replaced the factory coolent with a 50/50 Cummins ES Compleat Propoylene Glycol concentrate. Like the 'lifetime' quality but have to tell you, the interior water passages were VERY clean... the factory stuff is pretty good!



BTW... what is the difference between ES Complete Propoylene Glycol and ES Compleat Ethelene Glycol, besides one is a concentrate and one is a 50/50 Pre-mix ... Cummins sells both? Are they compatable?

 

[DE Jeeper]

The Propoylene is eco friendly and much less toxic to animals. We have to you it in our competition rock crawling vehicles in case of spillage.



Aaron

 

[Ncostello]

I have used Rotella ELC before. Good stuff. But in the past two years I switched my truck and three fire engines to Fleetguard Optimax ES Pre-Mix 50/50. Its red 600K mile stuff. Had to order it but its their best stuff and requires no additives for 300K. But Compleat is good too... and its a cool blue color!

 

[JCasper]

What about the Amsoil Antifreeze? Anyone use it, is it Cummins approved?

 

[rbattelle]

BTW... what is the difference between ES Complete Propoylene Glycol and ES Compleat Ethelene Glycol, besides one is a concentrate and one is a 50/50 Pre-mix ... Cummins sells both? Are they compatable?

DE Jeeper already answered this, but I'll add that EG is technically slightly "better" than PG. It has a slightly higher boiling point.



I run the PG, since 2004. Still looks like the day I put it in there. I've added about 1 pint of the ES extender stuff so far.



Ryan

 

[JCasper]

Well I think I may finally get to this. Not sure if I will run down to Cummins or not for antifreeze.

 

[RMarkey]

I just pick up the factory stuff from Dodge. Hopefully it's good enough, I've never seen any really high temps so I figure it works. I think it's already mixed too...

 

[Skydiver]

When I flush my cooling systems I add (soft) tap water run it 10 minutes and drain. I do this untill I can see clear water in a clear glass. Usually takes 5-7 flushes.



What are freeze plugs made of ? Old acidic antifreeze will cause rust.

I never use 50/50 antifreeze. How can you get a 50/50 mixture when the block holds water?

 

[TBartlett1]

Very important!

I was having stuck thermostat issues with my 1990. I tried 2 new thermostats with same results. Thought they were all defective so I tested them in boiling water and recorded the opening and closing temps. All opened and closed within seconds of each other. What I found as the cause of the problem was rust in the bottom of the pans that dislodged from the thermostats. My anti freeze looked good but rust was being generated and particles were causing the thermostat to stick. I drained and flushed the system until it was clear then added Prestone cooling system cleaner then drove it for 2 or 3 days, 300 to 400 miles. I then drained, flushed the system and added new 50/50 and also added a coolant system filter from Napa problem solved.

Tim