Engine coolant, the forgotten maintenance item

[mndriver]

This explains it better than I ever could. I know from my own experience on my recent inframe, regular testing and maintenance keep my block from corroding from the inside out.


The Basics of Diesel-Engine Coolant | Construction Equipment

 

[Mike]

Forgotten maintenance item, and it's amazing at how few pay no attention to the type they are adding or what their engine calls for.

 

[mndriver]

Same engine and I've had all different coolant in mine.

Original coolant was green. I had a couple of hoses I wanted to replace as they were 8+ years old. Then I went to the Fleet charge pink style.

This time they put in Detroit's red OAT style coolant.

It's all usable. Just need to keep it separate and know you can't mix some styles.

 

[tommyh]

thats a good article,tks

 

[mndriver]

An article that talks about compatibility between coolant.

Coolant compatibility: Know thy coolants

 

[Rigjockey]

An article that talks about compatibility between coolant.

Coolant compatibility: Know thy coolants

Interesting stuff. That refractometer that they speak of in the article is what we would use to make sure that the De-icing fluid we used on the aircraft was up to snuff.

I have always thought coolant was just as important as oil. On the leased trucks I drove I talked to the head mechanic/ shop foremen and he explained what I could use and what I could not.
Yes we were just leasing the truck but, It was the lessors investment to sell at the end of lease.

 

[Bored Insane]

It seems even the experts don't know exactly what to do.

 

[mndriver]

It seems even the experts don't know exactly what to do.

To a certain degree you are correct

 

[Bored Insane]

Interesting stuff. That refractometer that they speak of in the article is what we would use to make sure that the De-icing fluid we used on the aircraft was up to snuff.

I have always thought coolant was just as important as oil. On the leased trucks I drove I talked to the head mechanic/ shop foremen and he explained what I could use and what I could not.
Yes we were just leasing the truck but, It was the lessors investment to sell at the end of lease.

I never heard of anyone talk about coolant and mixing different additives. How many drivers care to not to mix when the truck shuts off on the highway? I think all trucks have mixed coolant.

 

[Ranger_375]

Mixing coolant types is a big nono. That's specifically why the good shops here at the big K will issue you washer/coolant/oil gallon jugs when you get assigned a rig, and refill them with approved stuff. Mixing them can literally cause shit to gum up in the coolant system passages.

 

[Rigjockey]

I never heard of anyone talk about coolant and mixing different additives. How many drivers care to not to mix when the truck shuts off on the highway? I think all trucks have mixed coolant.

I don't know how many drivers care about coolant, but when they give me a brand new truck I don't want to be responsible for any damage caused by using the wrong coolant so I make sure I get the right stuff from the dealer or the shop.

 

[Mike]

I make sure and use nitrite free coolant in my engine, and keep a gallon on hand with me. In a pinch, I would use whatever I needed to in order to keep running, but if the coolant didn't belong in the engine, I would be sure to get it flushed out as soon as possible.

 

[Bored Insane]

Not all truck stops carry 'usuable' coolant that I can see. I saw only one shop that had SCA coolant that @mndriver seems to use (Fleet charge: the one with pink cap), all other truck stop has coolant for non-heavy duty diesel truck or some off-brand crap.
Incidentally, my truck is in the shop right now to get radiator replaced for leaks. I just told them to replace the radiator with a brand new one rather than repairing the old.
I expect the shop will flush out the coolant and put the standard FL coolant (repair shop is the FL dealership in Chandler, AZ). I drove 700 miles deadhead from north cal to AZ so I can get this done. I had to put 3 gallons of various coolant on the way.

 

[Rigjockey]

I expect the shop will flush out the coolant and put the standard FL coolant (repair shop is the FL dealership in Chandler, AZ). I drove 700 miles deadhead from north cal to AZ so I can get this done. I had to put 3 gallons of various coolant on the way.

Unless Freightliner has started building engines the shop will probably put in the recommended coolant for what ever engine you have in your Freightliner.
Just sayin'.

 

[Bored Insane]

Unless Freightliner has started building engines the shop will probably put in the recommended coolant for what ever engine you have in your Freightliner.
Just sayin'.

I forgot to ask them to flush it out, but the quote says 41 gallons of 50/50 premix red coolant. So hopefully, 41 gallons is enough to flush out everything.

 

[Bored Insane]

I forgot to ask them to flush it out, but the quote says 41 gallons of 50/50 premix red coolant. So hopefully, 41 gallons is enough to flush out everything.

I typed wrong, it's 14 gallons not 41. So that won't be enough to flush it out. But they will road test it so it should dilute any old crap.

 

[Ontario Outlaw]

This seems overly complicated. So many colours to choose from, and not much info on the jugs

 

[tommyh]

I agree,i have opened them before and looked to see what color it was