Antifreeze

[Aerobaticflyer]

Being a diesel newbie one of my coolant reeviors is a little low and I was wondering if there is any special (diesel related?)antifreeze I should use (Cummins engines) and at what mix rate I should fill the resevoir with. My engine manuals are with the boat so thought I'd ask here.

Thanks!

 

[RanAmok]

Here is the text from my manual:

Use low-silicate antifreeze that meets ASTM4985 (GM6038M specification) criteria.
Fully formulated coolant must meet ASTM D-6210/D-6211.
Cummins Inc. recommends using either a 50/50 mixture of good-quality water and fully formulated antifreeze, or fully formulated coolant when filling the cooling system.
Good-quality water is important for cooling system performance. Excessive levels of calcium and magnesium contribute to scaling problems, and excessive levels of chlorides and sulfates cause cooling system corrosion.


...


Cummins Inc. recommends Fleetguard® antifreeze coolants including ES Compleat containing DCA4 Plus, Fleetcool EX containing DCA2 Plus, and ES Optimax Organic Acid Technology (OAT), which meet the requirements of Cummins Engineering Standard 14603. However, Cummins Inc., Chevron Texaco and Shell have agreed that Chevron Texaco, Shell Rotella® and their private label counterpart Extended Life OAT coolants, which do not meet the elastomer compatibility section of Cummins Engineering Standard 14603 are acceptable for extended service interval use, assuming the initial coolant fill requirements were met from the vehicles' original equipment manufacturer (OEM).


...


Fully formulated antifreeze must be mixed with good-quality water at a 50/50 ratio (40- to 60-percent working range). A 50/50 mixture of antifreeze and water gives a -36°C [-33°F] freezing point and a 108°C [226°F] boiling point, which is adequate for locations in North America. The actual lowest freezing point of ethylene glycol antifreeze is at 68 percent. Using higher concentrations of antifreeze will raise the freezing point of the solution and increase the possibility of a silica gel problem.




Now, what does this all mean?

 

[fwebster]

I use the Cummins/FLeetguard ES Complete in everything I own, except my boat. It has the right addiditves for diesel engines and, believe it or not, it is cheaper at my Cummins/Onan dealer than Prestone is at Walmart.

 

[Aerobaticflyer]

Thanks guys...Fleetguard ES Complete it is. :thumbsup:

 

[tobnpr]

I don't use antifreeze, since I (like you) don't need freeze protection.
Nalcool 2000 additive/conditioner (I use it) is an alternative to antifreeze.
http://docs.google.com/gview?a=v&q=...&gl=us&sig=AFQjCNHbPYQzNs5TDGuVhCKZpB6o7yqYmg

 

[Asureyez]

After 800 hours my FW cooing system is pristine ... "ES Complete" is the Bomb!