Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Coolant question

[Mtngoat]

When I bought my truck, it had 36000 miles on it. Can the coolant be tested to see if it needs flushed or is that something that needs to be done regularly? It still looks very fresh, who knows, maybe it was done before I got it as a dealer lease.



Robin

 

[cD'amato]

I would empty and flush it out. I do mine every other year.

 

[Mark Baker]

Yes, since it's inexpensive and easy to do, I'd just change it out. Peace of mind.

 

[Mtngoat]

I assume just regular anti freeze won't work. Whats best for our diesels. . ?



Robin

 

[DavidC]

I just flushed my system and used Fleetguards ES Compleat Premix $9. 31 a gallon here in Phoenix $8. 40 with a Cummins Booster Card. After 1 year, 150000 miles or 4000 hrs. add Es extender. The Bottle also says it is a lifetime coolant but does not state whose lifetime. I believe I read somewhere it is good for 600000 miles. I am sure I will lose a hose or radiator before then. It's a nice blue color . I also installed a new 180 t-stat I picked up from Geno's back in 1999.



Dave

 

[24V-DSL]

Shop around....

Check with the big rig repair/sales places. I paid $5. 38 gal. for Fleetguard ES Compleat premix. Fleetguard also sells a test strip to check coolant specs.

 

[Mtngoat]

I am at work, am going to order some Fleetgard antifreeze, but forgot to check and see how much I need, and the truck is at home! Can somebody please tell me how much I need to change out the entire cooling system on my truck??



Robin

 

[OL RATLR]

coolant ?

Mtngoat! I think with the premix it's around 6 gallon's.

 

[Loren]

1. I like the Extended Life Antifreeze/Coolants now available. See issue 41, pages 93-95 for my reasons. My truck has the Caterpillar Extended Life coolant. I have a bottle of extender on the shelf in my garage. I hope I can find it in three years when I need it.



2. The system will take almost six gallons if you can drain every drop. This includes enough to top off the expansion bottle to the appropriate level.



3. There are tests available to check coolant, but changing it gives you the peace of mind, knowing what is in your truck and when it was new. Better automotive shops probably sell the test strips, or you can take a sample and send it to an oil testing lab. They also test coolant. Of course, a test from a lab will probably cost more than six gallons of pre-mixed coolant.



Loren

 

[Texas Diesel]

Mopar (green) antifreeze is good for 36k miles and has a neat additive. Mopar adds silica (glass) to help seal any small leaks, I read a TSB or something that said if aftermarket anitfreeze is used sometimes small seeps will appear and to use Mopar stuff. I have used it for years and years with no problems and have had exceptional water pump seal life. The bottle also mentions silica as one of the ingrediants, I dont know if other brands contain silica too. Whenever I change coolant I use distilled (bottled) water so I am not adding and minerals from hard water supplies. One truck I had went 100k miles with no build up of minerals in the radiator core, it's a cheap trick that really works.

 

[RJOL]

Originally posted by Mtngoat

... Can somebody please tell me how much I need to change out the entire cooling system on my truck??



Robin

Robin... The cooling capacity is just over 24 qts. You can get 6 gals of the 50/50 but you will have a hard time getting all the old stuff out. There are several threads on how to change the coolant, but you will probably have a little over a gallon of old stuff left.



Here is how I did it:



Flush the system until it runs out pretty clear. Get as much drained out as you can (see threads). Put 1 gallon of full strength concentrate in and then fill the rest with 50/50. If you not overly concerned with using tap water then the best way to do it is to get 3 gallons of concentrate... Add it to the radiator... Then top off with water. You will need some extra for filling up the overflow so get an extra gallon of 50/50 or concentrate and mix yourself... . Have fun...

 

[RJOL]

Originally posted by Tejas Deezul

... Mopar adds silica (glass) to help seal any small leaks, I read a TSB or something that said if aftermarket antifreeze is used sometimes small seeps will appear and to use Mopar stuff. I have used it for years and years with no problems and have had exceptional water pump seal life. The bottle also mentions silica as one of the ingredients, I dont know if other brands contain silica too...

Don't want to start a "coolant war" but Cummins recommends using a product like Fleetguard which is a low silicate antifreeze. From what I gather the silica can coat the innards of your engine and radiator and reduce the cooling capacity of the system... Just another point of view...

 

[Henry]

Evans Coolant

I haven't tried it yet, but the Evans coolant is supposed to be really trick stuff. Not suposed to get any cavitation due to boiling and water vapor. Supposed to extend engine life and I believe it is a lifetime coolant..... but costly.

 

[Texas Diesel]

Originally posted by RJOL

Don't want to start a "coolant war" but Cummins recommends using a product like Fleetguard which is a low silicate antifreeze. From what I gather the silica can coat the innards of your engine and radiator and reduce the cooling capacity of the system... Just another point of view...

I wonder which side is right



Now I'm

 

[Mtngoat]

Thanks, fellas, I preciate the info!!





Robin

 

[David_VT]

Great reading and good timing... .



I am getting ready to try the electrosol cleaning, after I search the threads to remind myself how to do it.