Antifreeze Help

[Nathaniel Gardner]

Just bought a gem of a Ram! 04 2500 with 153k mikes in pristine condition. Been doing my routine maintenance stuff on it. This week is engine coolant week!

only problem is…the coolant is red.

Besides not knowing what in the world is in there, I can’t find any coolant that is red except Rotella ELC. It says it is OAT, but this truck takes HOAT. I have read a lot here about what coolant I should be using, but no one seems to have a definitive answer. Help me out! What should I put in there?

Rotella ELC?
Zerek G-05?
Sulphuric Acid?

Lastly, what is the mopar part number for the correct antifreeze? The old part number is not available, which makes this way more difficult than necessary .

Thanks!

 

[Topzide]

Mopar 68048953AC Standard HOAT Coolant. Not sure on what the current color may be. whatever you choose, the concentrate mixed with distilled water is the better $ way to go. Get it changed out to have a starting point going forward. Nice find, enjoy it!

 

[Ozymandias]

Drain, flush, refill with correct coolant. Which is a HOAT.
Which one you choose is up to you.

Color of coolant in general says nothing about it's propertys, the manufacturer is free to choose what ever he likes for his products. No standards if it comes to the color.

 

[Nathaniel Gardner]

Thanks y’all!

 

[cerberusiam]

Probably and ELC, likely could be from NAPA. That is all my son runs in gas or diesel engine anymore for consistency. Flush it with distilled water the first flush with some rated acid treatment, then flush several more times until drain is as clear as possible. It is only 150k but that is 20 years likely with same coolant. High chance there some hardened solids in the block.

 

[06 Dodge]

I used Zerex G-05 concentrate & distilled water in my 06 that required HOAT...

 

[Nathaniel Gardner]

Probably and ELC, likely could be from NAPA. That is all my son runs in gas or diesel engine anymore for consistency. Flush it with distilled water the first flush with some rated acid treatment, then flush several more times until drain is as clear as possible. It is only 150k but that is 20 years likely with same coolant. High chance there some hardened solids in the block.

Any particular acid treatment you recommend?

 

[cerberusiam]

I would use the Fleetguard coolant system cleaner if you think it is warranted. Fleetguard is Cummins recommended fluids and treatments.