!!Coolant!!

[creighta]

As posted in another thread I am changing my radiator tonight due to a small crack. I read thearticle on cavitation and SCA's, but have you seen the price of CAT ELC coolant

$10 per gallon 50/50 x 8gal = $80!!! (I know its elementry math)

Otherwise all the local place has is prestone ELC. Says it is good for ALL light truck engines. Any opinions on using this stuff w/ ford SCA's? Whole lot cheaper, but is it safe for the diesel?

 

[Double-S-Diesel]

FWIW I was told not to used extended life antifreeze in the older PSD as in 2002- back because the chemicals in it will attack the brass in the injector cups.
I think that it in anything with a brass rad the same would be true?

 

[Agnem]

Probably. I always remember Snotzalots logo. The ELC with a line through it. Green is your friend.

 

[creighta]

I may take back the elc or save it for the car. I printed out the list from the tech on Cavitation and am going to try and hunt down something cheaper than CAT.

$80 is just a bit hard to swallow after spending $235 on a radiator while adding my <$800 AC kt.

This cheap truck is getting expensive!!! but at least I can work on it myself unlike most of the problems w/ my 99psd

 

[tonkadoctor]

Another option for you.

I use Fleetrite, fully formulated antifreeze with the SCA additive already in it. It's full strength, only need 4 gallons to make 50/50 mix of 8 gallons. This stuff is made for diesels.

IIRC it was $10 - $11 gallon at the Navistar dealer.

BTW it's pink.

 

[Exekiel69]

I use the low silicate coolant from fleetguard and just add the dca-4 to it after I mix it 50/50 with distilled water. I don't use the pink coolant but only bc I already use the precharged coolant filter to add the dca-4 (sca) in the coolant.

 

[tractorman86]

I use the low silicate coolant from fleetguard and just add the dca-4 to it after I mix it 50/50 with distilled water. I don't use the pink coolant but only bc I already use the precharged coolant filter to add the dca-4 (sca) in the coolant.

same here i just use the napa brand antifreese and add the sca's

 

[RLDSL]

$80 is just a bit hard to swallow after spending $235 on a radiator while adding my <$800 AC kt.

$80 isn't bad, I just filled my new engine with Evan's waterless coolant to the tune of about $260 , but I look at it as cheap insurance.

---------Robert

 

[TLBREWER]

$80 isn't bad, I just filled my new engine with Evan's waterless coolant to the tune of about $260 , but I look at it as cheap insurance.

---------Robert

That's funny. I just drained and flushed one of my trucks of Evan's and put regular antifreeze and SCA's back in. I had to change a leaking radiator in my daughter's truck and since she's going off to school in it in a couple months, I wanted it to be more convenient for her to service if needed since dad won't be there to take care of it. The truck had it already when I bought it.

Evan's is great as far as cavitation prevention goes, but I can't get it without ordering it and that's highly inconvenient if you have a problem on the road. Not to mention the cost and incompatibility with water and EG.

Tom

 

[creighta]

I am going to try the local ford stealership today. I checked out three parts houses and two department store chains and all I could find was Prestone, PEAK, and store brands.

All of which are ELC coolants now.

 

[Double-S-Diesel]

Advance has texaco.
napa has there brand.

 

[creighta]

Advance, Autozone, Walmart, PAMIDA, and my wife suposedly checked SMYTH and all had store brand and PEAK and Prestone.

No NAPA around here anymore

 

[tonkadoctor]

Advance, Autozone, Walmart, PAMIDA, and my wife suposedly checked SMYTH and all had store brand and PEAK and Prestone.

No NAPA around here anymore

Check heavy duty truck dealers...ie Navistar, Western Star, Peterbilt, etc....., heavy duty truck parts places, heavy truck repair shops and quick lube places and local truck stops they should all have the correct antifreeze for diesels on hand...Usually fleetgard and fleetrite is what you will find.

BTW, these places will also know what SCA means without looking at you like you are stupid too and most will have test strips and SCA additives too.

I usually buy the majority of my engine parts from Navistar too, often much cheaper than Ford dealers.