anti-freeze

[Turbo Thom]

Need answer;
In a local truck stop, I saw a pre mixed anti-freeze put out by Warren. I was told they are a product of Zerex. Anybody know if that's so? Next warmer day new hoses and belt along with the coolent will be changed. I like the pre-mixed idea.
Anybody know? #ad

Thanks.
Preston

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96 3500 Black 5 speed turbo diesel, SLT, with US Gear overdrive, Rhino liner, Reese 15,000 lb. fifth wheel hitch, US Gear de-celarator exhaust brake, muffler elimination kit, Amsoil lub. , with other goodys on the way.

 

[Guest00]

I dont think I have ever seen a truck stop that sold any thing ( cept oil )but the cheap crap, spelled fat profit, at retail or above.
Do a search on anti freeze as there have been some good posts in the past.
just a note: I could have prestone, or any other mfg. , package anti freeze formulated to my specs and with my label, with xtra high silicats, no sca charge and mixed with xtra hard well water, but my label ( jack instead of warren ), would say for cars and hd trucks but would not be good for either. Stick with a major brand for diesel trucks.

[This message has been edited by JNutter (edited 01-04-2001). ]

 

[Randy J]

Turbo Thom,

I bought a case of Fleetguard 50/50 mix from the local Cummins shop. It was a little more expensive, around $10/gallon. But, like you, I didn't want to mess with mixing it.


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Randy Jones, San Antonio, TX, rdj@gvtc.com, 98 1/2 QC, 4X4, American Racing BAJA's, 285/75/16, Amsoil throughout, Superstar 3000 export radio, Firestik antenna with fender mount, Fire-ring cable

 

[Cooker]

I too like the premixed idea because there is no guessing on water quality. I like the John Deere Cool-Guard antifreeze. Check it out on there website.

 

[Royal]

Just saw in PEP BOYS auto parts that they have Rotella 50/50 mix diesel antifreeze. Was
marked at $7. 99 per gallon. Says it meets Cummins and all the other major mgf. specs.
Says its good for 300K miles and 600K if you add some extender additive.

[This message has been edited by Royal (edited 01-06-2001). ]

 

[mikepvg]

I noticed Pep Boys also sells Shell Rotella pre-mixed antifreeze which states on the pkg meeting all Cummins specs.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Thanks Folks:
I don't like Pep Boys but I will check it out. Got kind of ripped off once and never went back. This Warren stuff was $6. 99 a gal. For piece of mind , whats a few $?
Cheers.
Preston

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96 3500, Black SLT, 5 speed, turbo diesel, , with US Gear overdrive, Rhino liner, Reese 15,000 lb. fifth wheel hitch, US Gear de-celarator exhaust brake, muffler elimination kit, Amsoil lub. , Mag-hytec rear cover, dual-remote by-pass filters, and Roadmaster Active system

 

[Wiredawg]

I'm haven't owned my TD Ram long enough to change antifreeze in it yet, but on my other vehicles I always pre-mixed my anitfreeze with distilled water. No big mess doing it either... I get my jugs of antifreez and distilled water, one empty antifreeze jug, a funnel and I mix away.

I guess I'm too much of a penny pincher: My method I pay $3. 99/gal for antifreeze (on-sale in the Spring vice the Fall) and $. 90/gal for distilled water to net $2. 45/gal for the mix. #ad


I haven't even checked yet if Prestone meets specs or if I'll have to go with something else. I'll be buying antifreeze this coming Spring for my changeout in the Fall.


Wiredawg


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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover, Warn front receiver and Hadley air horns, 20K Reese hitch.

[This message has been edited by Wiredawg (edited 01-06-2001). ]

 

[TowPro]

I would check with Cummins on this stuff before using it. You will need to read the bottle and know what the active ingredients are. I was going to run the Texaco long life stuff (red stuff like in my VW TDI diesel) and Cummins said NO! All the long life blends have something in it (or lack of something in it) that caused a Cummins test engine to have a gasket failure!
Call them for the complete story.

Personally, I just buy good antifreeze, and distilled water and mix my own inside the engine. Besides, if you flush the system before installing the new antifreeze, how you going to know you got all the flush water out? This remaining flush water will dilute your "pre mix" antifreeze. If its says it holds 6 gallons (not sure of amount) buy 3 gallons of antifreeze and 3 gallons of distilled water. Put in the antifreeze first, then the water. (Don’t forget to fill the overflow bottle after you flush it also)

Originally posted by Royal:
Just saw in PEP BOYS auto parts that they have Rotella 50/50 mix diesel antifreeze. Was
marked at $7. 99 per gallon. Says it meets Cummins and all the other major mgf. specs.
Says its good for 300K miles and 600K if you add some extender additive.

[This message has been edited by Royal (edited 01-06-2001). ]

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• 98 ISB,QC,5spd,2wd,3:54lsd. Stock with BD brake and Gauges!
• 2000 Terry 305G 5th wheel

 

[RHARVEY]

I just bought a case(6 gallons) of the Fleetguard 50/50 mix at Cummins shop in Fresno and it was $48. 00 tax and all.

Rick

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Does anyone run the Cat antifreeze? I cannot get Fleetguard locally so tonight I am picking up 3 gallons of Cat standard life (not extended life) antifreeze, Ethylene Glycol. I am going to look at the label and see if it is Cummins certified. The guy at the parts counter insists Cat antifreeze is pretty much the best stuff there is, but then this is a Cat dealer He also said using distilled or deionized water is a waste of money since the antifreeze has good additives to counteract this. Me, I'm using distilled water.



Vaughn

 

[Extreme1]

Just remember:

When you remove the lower hose on your radiator, there is still a bunch of coolant in the tank.



You need to use the drain plug, it's on the driver's side. Rotate with a pliers CCW 1/2 turn then, while pulling out, rotate another 1/2 turn to full open. Attach a hose if an automatic, it will be cleaner that way.

 

[EOliver]

Hey guys curious if anyone has looked into the Evans "waterless" Coolant? It has 0 water in it (none!) and does not require you to add any, but yet the non-aqueous solution of Evans NPG+ boils at 375ºF @ 0psi, and Evans NPG+ Coolant remains liquid until -40ºF, then it contracts slightly and merely turns into a light viscous slurry. It will not freeze solid and expand. This also allows you to run a low or no pressure system. Sounds like good stuff to me... I was wondering if anyone has any experience with Evans?



Check it out at Evans Cooling



Eric O.

 

[LBTRS]

John Deer Cool-Gard

I just got a 2. 5 gallon jug of John Deer Cool-Gard 50/50 mix to top off my truck. Cost was $18 from the local tractor shop.

 

[Cooker]

The Fleetguard coolant is $10/gallon for the 50/50 premix. Too pricey for me.



Vaughn,

I would bet the CAT stuff is just as good (or possibly better) as the FG or JD coolant. I would imagine all are very close when it come to protection of the engine and lifespan of the freeze. I hope they are much better (at least I feel they are) than the Prestone and Zerex freezes that we are all very familiar with.



FWIW - After reading another antifreeze thread, I think I will add the JD additive for a few years before I decide to change it again.



-Ryan

 

[Ramafid]

I'm using the Rotella extended life coolant. I called the Cummins info line and was told that the problems with the extended life coolant had been fixed. Only Texaco coolant had the problems and is ok now. He said extended life coolant was ok for our engines but to use DC's guidlines. I guess so your warranty isn't voided.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Well I got the Cat stuff last night and it only mentioned Cat specs, but I would think it is fine for most anything. It says it is designed for diesel engines. . . I doubt that really makes a difference. It was $8. 59 a gallon.



Vaughn

 

[radixr]

Coolant

I bought a case of Fleetguard Concentrate Antifreeze ($8. 00/gallon) at my local Cummins shop and 6 gallons of distilled water at Wal-Mart. After draining and flushing, I put in 3 gallons of concentrate and 2 gallons of water -- including the overflow container.

 

[John]

I'm using Amsoil propylene glycol anti-freeze/coolant and like it very much for a number of reasons.



BTW, irrespective of what the Owners Manual states, proplyene glycol is ok to use in both 12v and 24v Cummins B engines. In fact, there is a TSB from Dodge stating that propylene glycol coolant is ok for use in these engines (TSB date is sometime in '97).



The Fleetguard anti-freeze/coolant (named Compleat) can be purchased in four different formulations:



Ethylene glycol premix (no water required)



Ethylene glycol concentrate (requires the addition of water at the recommended percentage)



Propylene glycol premix (no water required)



Propylene glycol concentrate (requires the addition of water at the recommended percentage)



**Amsoil "dealer"**