Coolant

[cozinsky]

What kind of coolant are you guys running in your trucks? In the past I've always used the plain green antifreeze mixed 50/50 with distilled water and added several quarts of SCA until the test strips showed I was in the safe range. I'm due for a coolant change so I'm looking at the precharged extended life stuff this time. How long is the service life on these? They're about twice the price of conventional anti freeze. Any recommendations?

 

[Cubey]

Zerex G-05 in my RV. No SCAs to add. It's about $10/gallon if you do your own mixing of concentrate and distilled water. Maybe cheaper online.

I never touched the coolant in my now stored truck, but it sure needs it before I drive it much again, or before sellling it, if I ever do.

 

[franklin2]

I use the Go5 also.

 

[Isaac Ristow]

I bought fleet charge at fleet farm for mine

 

[cozinsky]

My nearest Fleet Farm has this stuff for $14.50 a gallon:

https://www.peakhd.com/product/final-charge/oat-extended-life-coolant-antifreeze/

From their website:

Q: The Industry seems to be moving away from nitrites – What is the nitrite content in FINAL CHARGE GLOBAL Coolant/Antifreeze?

A: Nitrites have long been used in fully formulated coolants, or incorporated in Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA) then mixed with conventional coolants, for their ability to protect wet sleeve liners against cavitation and corrosion. However, nitrites in conventional and fully formulated coolants deplete, thereby reducing the level of protection provided. Also, ongoing testing and monitoring of nitrite levels are required to ensure the proper levels are maintained. To extend coolant service life and reduce maintenance time and cost associated with testing and maintaining inhibitor levels, the heavy-duty industry is moving toward nitrite-free Organic Acid Technology (OAT) coolants. With OAT coolants, conventional inhibitors, like nitrites, are replaced with organic corrosion inhibitors that deplete very slowly over time. As a result, extended life corrosion and cavitation protection is achieved without a regular schedule of liquid additives; inhibitor testing and maintenance coolant filters. FINAL CHARGE Coolant/Antifreeze is formulated with a patented nitrite-free formula.

Anyone use it or familiar with it?

 

[Reggie f250]

I have been using it almost 2 years. No problems so far. Got it from menards for 11.99 a gallon. I think they only sell the 50-50 mix.

 

[chris142]

Do not use any of the all makes all models coolants in these trucks. Those are not a good choice for a diesel. Plus they attack solder in radiators and heaters.

The 2eh chemicle in them can attack rubber components like oil cooler orings. I recommend a silicated green coolant with sca added as necessary.

 

[BeastMaster]

I have been using the Chevron Delo ELC.

https://www.chevronlubricants.com/en_us/home/products/delo-elc-antifreeze-coolant.html

 

[Jim993]

The key to coolant maintenance is to monitor coolant chemical condition at least annually and add supplemental coolant additive as necessary. Otherwise, you don't know what the condition is. I've been using plain green coolant for over 20 years but monitor with the following kit, about $6 delivered to your mailbox the next day or so by Amazon:

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Tiny amounts of carbon dioxide get past the head gaskets on occasion, carbon dioxide in water makes carbonic acid which slowly turns the coolant acidic and then can can eat head gaskets, cylinder liners and oil cooler tubes.

 

[Kevin 007]

I use the Purple colored Prestone HD diesel coolant in every diesel and have for years. NEVER had a problem of any kind even in cavitation prone engines like 855 Cummins, 7.3 idi etc.

 

[nelstomlinson]

I've been using Napa's green coolant. It has the nitrites in it. Napa test strips to track its condition, Napakool to restore the SCAs if they get low.

 

[cozinsky]

I ended up going with Peak Final Charge. I picked up 8 gallons at Menard's over the weekend and with the 11% rebate it ended up being a little over $10 a gallon.

 

[Christopher Cline]

I’ve been using plain old green antifreeze with motor craft sca additives. Been great so far. I run a little on the diluted side

 

[Stu Bailey]

I use the peak final charge as well, orange stuff. From what I remember reading no SCAs to add.

 

[Mishka]

Ford flushed my system so it has motorcraft green. The service guy said I didn't need SCA's add as it was in the flush....got some test strips and it showed 0 SCA's so I looked for motorcraft Cooley additives but no luck so I added WIX coolant addictives to it.