Coolant and anti corrosion additives

[TomGolden]

Howdy all,

I know this topic has been around the block many times, and I searched on "coolant", and didn't find what I am looking for, so here we go.

I don't mean to stir up the cavitation issue.

In my old 1987 Ford 6. 9L diesel, I used NAPA brand cooland and either NapaKool or Ford FW-16 anti-corrosion additives. My question for you all is: is just plain NAPA brand coolant (mixed at the appropriate 50/50 with distilled water) good enough, or should I use some brand of additive, and if so, is Napa's NapaKool good enough? I know I have seen folks here recommend Cummins/Fleetgaurd DCA additive, but can someone tell me where I might get some of that online? I am not aware of any big truck parts places up in my neck of the Sierra foothills (Placerville).

Oh, yeah. How often do you recommend changing my coolant? Every year, every XXX miles, ???

Many thanks,
Tom


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Get outta the way: The Cummins is Cummin'!

Tom Golden
Godzilla: Patriot Blue 2001 2500 SLT QC 4X4 LWB ETH/DEE, Tow & Camper packages, 3. 54 Ltd. Slip, 4 wheel disc ABS, Isspro EGT/boost gauges, black SmittyBilt nerf bars, TDR decal, Jack antenna ball
2001 Zinc Yellow SVT Mustang Cobra on order
NRA Life/CRPA/El Dorado #26 F. &A. M. of California

 

[illflem]

Tom,I may not be the best one to ask this. I don't change the coolant,just add Nalcool 2000 once a year. My '82 Toyota PU has 340k on the factory coolant,just adding Nalcool,no cooling problems at all. I've been doing this for over 20 years on all my trucks,cars and tractors after a radiator specialist told me is was the way to go. When I've had to drain the coolant on a rig I use Napa antifreeze with distilled water. The Napa antifreeze says right on it that it meets Cummins specs. I expect to catch flack for this,but it has worked for me. My main problem is disposing of the used antifreeze,I lost a dog to antifreeze poisoning years ago(neighbor drained it on the ground)so I try to keep it in the rig where it belongs.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(work truck)
95 3500,5 speed 3:54,BD E-brake,Driftwood,Banks&Psycotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(works harder truck)

 

[BV]

Tom - Check these out for online ordering: http://www.dodge-pickup.com/coolant.html http://www.forddiesel.com/ http://www.penray.com/hd2000/technical.htm http://www.dieselpage.com/motorfw16.htm

and visit: http://www.filtercouncil.org/techdata/tsbs/88-1R.html for some reasons why you change the fluid or maintain it.

Here is another good site: http://www.imcool.com/articles/anitfreeze-coolant/SCA-Part1.htm

[This message has been edited by BV (edited 01-26-2001). ]

 

[TomGolden]

Guys, thanks a bunch for the info.

I still have something like 8 bottles of the Ford FW-16 additive left. Does anyone have any opinions as to whether I can safely use this until it runs out (I have had it for about a year already), or should I just discard it and go straight for the Fleerguard DCA-4 additive?

Thanks again,

Tom


------------------
Get outta the way: The Cummins is Cummin'!

Tom Golden
Godzilla: Patriot Blue 2001 2500 SLT QC 4X4 LWB ETH/DEE, Tow & Camper packages, 3. 54 Ltd. Slip, 4 wheel disc ABS, Isspro EGT/boost gauges, black SmittyBilt nerf bars, TDR decal, Jack antenna ball
2001 Zinc Yellow SVT Mustang Cobra on order
NRA Life/CRPA/El Dorado #26 F. &A. M. of California

 

[Bob V]

Tom, I waited 3 year to chainge mine and that was too long, had some scale in the radiator and coolant started to get a brown tint.
Bob V