Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Coolant change interval

[stownsend]

I'm curious about the difference in the interval between what the factory suggests, and the routine maintenance that RAM TECH and most people on the TDR suggest.



RAM TECH suggests every 15000 miles, and the factory suggests 60000 miles. That's a HUGE difference. Why?



Steve

 

[fox]

Here is what I do and I learned it on one of my on-line boards.

Every year I check the anti-freeze by putting a positive lead of a digital volt meter in the fluid. Ground the black lead.

If the voltage is above . 40 dc change it. Below . 40 leave it till next check. And ONLY use distilled water.

I was told that the coolant becomes more acidic with minerals and time. This is what you want to prevent.

One vehicle in my 'fleet' was past due for a change-it had been 4 years-and the volt test said . 6 something.

I believe this works.

 

[stownsend]

Interesting. I like that method because then the coolant isn't being changed just because.



Thanks for the response.



Steve

 

[Loren]

When I was doing research for the TDR coolant article I heard of the voltage method of checking coolant. The engineer I talked to at Havoline said he had never heard of it. He suspected that it didn't work, since if it did, he probably would have heard of it.



In the magazine I included a sidebar on that voltage method for checking coolant, but didn't endorse it because I didn't know one way or the other.



Since then, people who know have told me that that method doesn't work. I belive them.



There are strips, like a pH strip I think, that you can use to test standard coolant. There are different strips you can use for extended life coolant. You can also sample your coolant and send the sample to an oil analysis lab for testing. Either of these methods will tell you if you need to change your coolant.



The bottom line, however, is that the tests often cost more than new coolant. I have done a lot of research on this subject, and my conclusion is to use whatever coolant you like and change it at the recommended interval for that coolant type.



I'm using Caterpillar extended life. I will add the extender at the appropriate time (3 years or 300,000 miles) and continue to the six-year point. At that time, I'll change it.



My understanding is that the Cummins extended life coolant is a similar formula, but it wasn't available when I changed my coolant. If I could get the extender for the Cummins coolant, I'd buy theirs.



Loren