Is there a Cummins coolant additive expert on here?

[ZZ13]

I am trying to understand the voodoo science associated with the coolant in my Cummins 6CTA (450 Diamond). Here are my basic questions:

From where exactly do I take the sample with the test strip (I just took off the fill cap and dunked it in there - got a feeling that's not the spot)?

How exactly do I determine the additive filter to then use when the test falls in the green (the test sheet just vaguely says "use the normal one")?

I read Alex's thread on here and nothing definitive in there and I can't find any other meaningful threads about it here.

 

[SearayPaul]

Here ya go Bill. https://www.cumminsfiltration.com/html/en/products/cooling/coolant/supp_add.html and https://www.cumminsfiltration.com/pdfs/product_lit/americas_brochures/LT32599_09.pdf page 28 I THINK. Coolant must be at 140 if I remember correctly. I am afraid of hot coolant. I warm mine up and dip at the cap. Hope that helps. If in doubt change. Coolant is cheap. Good Luck

 

[ZZ13]

Thanks Paul. But I am looking for the filter information rather than the liquid additive. I did see the file below, and there is a chart on page 7-4 that tells what filter to use on an annual change, based on number of gallons of coolant. My engines with heat exchanger hold somewhere around 29 liters (best I can determine), so from the table on that page I should use the 2 unit filter. That looks to be the WF2070 from page 7-10. I have two WF2071s (4 unit filter) so since they are close I guess I'll just put those on and see how it all tests out next year.

https://www.cumminsfiltration.com/pdfs/product_lit/americas_brochures/LT32599_07.pdf

 

[my3sons]

Bill,
Do not test from the overflow bottle, the filler cap is fine. Do not test over 130 degrees, room temperature is best. If you are “normal” replace filter with the WF2071, 4 unit filters that you have.
Next oil change, check again, if normal, repeat.
If above normal, replace filter with the blank. Check next oil change, and if down to normal, go with the 2 unit. Check, repeat, etc.

Take care

Forgot to add that I have been using the 4 unit filters on my boat and the numbers have been steady for the 3 years I've had her, I run between 100 and 200 hrs on them

 

[ZZ13]

Bill,
Do not test from the overflow bottle, the filler cap is fine. Do not test over 130 degrees, room temperature is best. If you are “normal” replace filter with the WF2071, 4 unit filters that you have.
Next oil change, check again, if normal, repeat.
If above normal, replace filter with the blank. Check next oil change, and if down to normal, go with the 2 unit. Check, repeat, etc.

Take care

Thanks!

 

[ZZ13]

Thought I'd pass this on. One of the WF2071 filters was on the boat when I bought it. Although it was still in its factory wrapping it seemed quite a bit older than the new one I just bought for the other engine. So I called Cummins and gave them the number stamped on the bottom. She looked it up and said it was made in 2008 and she said the shelf life is 4 years. So, I tossed it and bought another new one.

 

[my3sons]

Speaking of shelf life, We had some of the test strips that were expired, only out by about 8 months, and they failed to change color at all. Same batch worked fine when they were "fresh"

 

[ZZ13]

Well its been a year with the WF2071 filter on when it looked like the WF2070 was the best choice at the time. It reads just a bit high, so I think I'll put either the 2-unit WF2070 or the blank WF2077 on for this next upcoming year.

 

[fwebster]

For you Cummins guys, I am buying an extended life coolant from my Cummins dealer for my off road equipment. It is marketed as Fleetguard Extended Life Coolant and is pretty well the same type coolant as Caterpillar ELC which has a 6 year life and no need to deal with SCA's.

You might want to check with your Cummins dealer for specifics because the new coolant may eliminate the need for the SCA filters or liquid coolant additives if you just change the coolant regularly.

 

[Thornton69]

I am sure Cummins as well as Cat will not warranty any of their engines that have a failure related to liner pitting. This is a "maintenance" out for them. Although their long life coolants extend their replacement interval to 6 years, they still recommend regular testing.
What type of off road equipment are you running Frank? We sell and service construction/forestry in the north.
edit: should probably take a poke at that and say marine....

 

[NotHerDecision]

Frank... did I hear you are a part Cummins guy... hmmmm