Which antifreeze to buy

[rbattelle]

Robbie,



I know what you meant, and I certainly don't want to run the wrong stuff either! I just threw out the fleetguard data as a sanity check in case anyone out there might say "rbattelle, you fool! Put that Fleetguard crap in your engine and it'll catch fire, give you hickeys, turn your dog rabid, and make your wife leave you!".

 

[dieselpilot1969]

robbie, read the post, I said the dealer tech said that is what it was. sorry if I mislead you!

 

[Tony T.]

Originally posted by rbattelle

DP,



Normally I would agree, but I've seen that HOAT stuff turn to jelly in under 3 years. I know, everyone's got a "I knew a guy who had an uncle whose coolant turned to jelly", but I really mean it!

rbattelle: do you think, that maybe the antifreeze you saw turn to jelly may could have been contaminated (mixed) with a non-HOAT antifreeze, and caused a chemical reaction to form the gelling. Or was this on one of your personal vehicles that you seen this.

 

[rbattelle]

Tony,



Well, the vehicle I'm referring to belongs to a friend. It's a '99 Cougar with the factory fill in it. In 2001 we were working on his intake and noticed that the coolant recovery tank had jelly on the walls. However, I will say this: he has not yet had any real problems with the cooling system. But I can't rule out someone putting non-HOAT coolant in it!

 

[DPKetchum]

G. M. . had a big tsb about the stuff. seem checys(s10/blazers)needing everthing from heater core to radiator replaced. But that was in the eatly years of the stuff. some had been topped off with standard antifreeze,some never serviced. I'll go at least three years on mine. stated its good for 5.

 

[rbattelle]

I emailed Fleetguard about using their EG premix stuff. Here's the response:



Thank you for contacting Fleetguard.



When using our ES Compleat, we know of no chemical issues when mixing with other manufactures antifreeze. Since you Dodge does not have a water filter, ES liquid should be added on a annual basis in order to keep your antifreeze in proper working conditions. If you maintain you cooling system with our ES Compleat and add the recommended amount or our ES extender, this antifreeze can be used until the first engine rebuild unless, for some reason, the cooling system gets contaminated with fuel or oil.



If we can be of further assistance to you, please feel free to contact your Fleetguard Customer Assistance Center @ 800-223-4583.



Please visit our homepage often at http://www.fleetguard.com



Sincerely,

Fleetguard FleetMaster



And the email I sent them was:



To Whom it May concern:



I have a 2003 Dodge Ram equipped with a Cummins 24v diesel. The factory coolant fill is an Ethylene Glycol HOAT formulation. I would like to change it out to Fleetguard premix EG.



1. Is this an appropriate switch, and more specifically, are there any special precautions with flushing the HOAT stuff prior to filling with Fleetguard EG?

2. Do I need to use an "ES Slow Release coolant filter" or liquid "ES extender" if I plan to change the fluid every 2 years (50000 - 60000 miles)?

 

[dieselpilot1969]

well i went with the fleetguard es complete 50/50 premix today

 

[rbattelle]

dieselpilot,



Did you put it in yourself? How'd it go?

 

[dieselpilot1969]

yup, flushed truck out with distilled water after draining it, seems weird that I could only get six gallons in it when manual says seven. what gives?

 

[rbattelle]

Did you remember to flush out the heater core, too? And the service manual says 27 quarts, so it's not quite 7 gallons.

 

[dieselpilot1969]

aw crap that's it I forgot to flush the core

 

[rbattelle]

Dieselpilot,



I'm sorry but your response made me laugh. I was hoping I was wrong about the core, but the good news is Fleetguard seems to think there won't be any adverse reaction between the HOAT and their EG.



I feel your pain, forgetting something like that. I do stuff like that all the time.

 

[dieselpilot1969]

well, that is some good news lol

 

[Hunter1]

Correct me if I am all wet, but my dealer said the anti freeze is a drain and fill, that you cannot flush a Cummins engine? Not sure if he was referring to the '03 or all of them. He said why you could not but I can't recall. Only asked that on Saturday gosh darn! Mind is the first thing to go they say!



Hunter1

 

[rbattelle]

Any engine with a radiator can be flushed. I think your dealer is full of you-know-what!

 

[DPKetchum]

A lot of manufactures don't say FLUSH anymore. They say drain and refill and if its done timely thats all thats needed. I think the FLUSH(chemicals)are what there trying to stay away from. Honestly I saw very few newer systems that needed FLUSH. They just needed fresh antifreeze. I assume the person at the dealer might have kinda been edging in that direction and didn't realize it. Just a guess. I don't flush any of mine. I drain and refill.