Good morning everyone, so I've been on and off searching multiple forums about using Fleetguard's red coolant in our engines. It comes pre-charged with SCA's and I can get it pretty cheap from work. The only answers I'm finding are pretty vauge, or people suggesting to use other coolants. So I want to see what people say about the red stuff.
Fleetguard Red Coolant
- Thread starter Nero
- Start date
Big Bart
Tow&Slow
From what I have seen red is better for aluminum but not great for brass/copper. That they do not mix well so a thorough flush is required if you do. (New import cars tend to have red coolant but have aluminum heads, radiators, heat exchangers, water pumps, and no oil cooler.)
Since your radiator, heat exchanger, thermostat, and oil cooler all are/where, brass/copper from the factory, that would stop me from using red coolant. (Only my heat exchanger is aluminum.)
Adding to that red has less corrosion inhibitors and you have a large block made up of all metal and if a 7.3 you are pre-disposed to cavitation. So why add to the issue of corrosion?
And if like me your head gasket is ~30 years old so how will the red coolant interact with it? Maybe it will be fine but maybe it degrades it.
I have used Fleet Charge (Pink) for years and I have not seen any issues. I think saving $20-60 to end up spending $500-5000 is just a risk that is not worth it personally.
But maybe others can chime in that they have seen good results.
Since your radiator, heat exchanger, thermostat, and oil cooler all are/where, brass/copper from the factory, that would stop me from using red coolant. (Only my heat exchanger is aluminum.)
Adding to that red has less corrosion inhibitors and you have a large block made up of all metal and if a 7.3 you are pre-disposed to cavitation. So why add to the issue of corrosion?
And if like me your head gasket is ~30 years old so how will the red coolant interact with it? Maybe it will be fine but maybe it degrades it.
I have used Fleet Charge (Pink) for years and I have not seen any issues. I think saving $20-60 to end up spending $500-5000 is just a risk that is not worth it personally.
But maybe others can chime in that they have seen good results.
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I know my machinist and I were blown away when i took my mustang's 408w in to be rebuilt from using FG red.
Inside of the engine looked like new, and water pump had zero play in it after 8 years and 70k miles of playing around with it and occasionally going to the dragstrip.
I dont use it in my 97 because supposedly its bad on the seals, brass and sealing compounds. I belive thats per *****'s information.
Inside of the engine looked like new, and water pump had zero play in it after 8 years and 70k miles of playing around with it and occasionally going to the dragstrip.
I dont use it in my 97 because supposedly its bad on the seals, brass and sealing compounds. I belive thats per *****'s information.
If red is bad on brass, I wonder why some of the trucks I work on have brass radiators/surge tanks. Mostly it's an aged fedex fleet, smaller freightliners with single axles, but with just 8.3 liters in them. Something to ponder... Appreciate the input so far guys.
Quick add, I pulled up the sales rep's sheet for Fleetguard coolants, red has anti corrosion inhibiters in it for liner pitting resistance, however didn't say anything about cross metals.
I did find this however for their blue coolant...
-Fully formulated extended life coolant (antifreeze) with dual
borate, phosphate buffer and low silicate formulation for use
in all heavy-duty diesel and gas engines.
-Life-of-the-Engine, 1,000,000-mile (20,000 hr) coolant.*
-Protects against liner pitting, and provides solid corrosion protection
for aluminum, cast iron, copper, brass and solder. Contains proprietary
scale inhibitors.
-Compatible with DCA4 liquid or DCA4 chemical filters.
-Available in both ethylene or propylene glycol base as either a
50/50, 60/40, premix or concentrate.
-Meets ASTM D3306, ASTM D6210, TMC RP 329.
Their pink (fleetcool EX) alos lists good for brass and other mixed metals...
Now obviously I'm not running coolant for a million miles... But might be a good alternative? I'm trying to decide what to put in my truck, as it has the same coolant I put in it back in 2012, but I've only put maybe 10k miles on it since then.
I did find this however for their blue coolant...
-Fully formulated extended life coolant (antifreeze) with dual
borate, phosphate buffer and low silicate formulation for use
in all heavy-duty diesel and gas engines.
-Life-of-the-Engine, 1,000,000-mile (20,000 hr) coolant.*
-Protects against liner pitting, and provides solid corrosion protection
for aluminum, cast iron, copper, brass and solder. Contains proprietary
scale inhibitors.
-Compatible with DCA4 liquid or DCA4 chemical filters.
-Available in both ethylene or propylene glycol base as either a
50/50, 60/40, premix or concentrate.
-Meets ASTM D3306, ASTM D6210, TMC RP 329.
Their pink (fleetcool EX) alos lists good for brass and other mixed metals...
Now obviously I'm not running coolant for a million miles... But might be a good alternative? I'm trying to decide what to put in my truck, as it has the same coolant I put in it back in 2012, but I've only put maybe 10k miles on it since then.
I've been running Shell ELC in my 90 for a year or two without issue so far. I did flush all the old stuff out though. It's not fleet charge, but it is a red ELC.
Big Bart
Tow&Slow
Maybe dig in on the blue coolant and see it that is a fit. Also check if it comes with SCA.
jrollf
Full Access Member
I've been using Chevron Delo Fleet ELC coolant for six years now and have been very happy with it. FWIW I have an aluminum radiator. I did run it for a few years with the OE copper, but replaced it when one of the tanks cracked (NOT corroded, mechanical damage).
CDX825
filtration nut
Red diesel coolant is the way to go. I run final charge but the fleetguard is good coolant as well.
Do you have a brass radiator or an aluminum one?
I use the Prestone Command purple NOAT in my 7.3, we'll see how it holds up and what it does over time
I did the research into it 4 years ago and it seemed to fit the parameters for the 97s, but dont ask me to quote them, cuz ive totally forgotten lol
I did the research into it 4 years ago and it seemed to fit the parameters for the 97s, but dont ask me to quote them, cuz ive totally forgotten lol
Luda-Chris
Registered User
I run Peak Fleet charge in my 92 with the brass rad.
CDX825
filtration nut
Brass.
PDR60
Registered User
I did a complete flush last July and am running Fleet Charge since. Have had no problems and no leaks yet. Still running the original Radiator and I'll be turning the clock to 360K in about a week. She runs great with the original injectors and turbo. Still getting 18.5MPG on her. She's a 96 F350 LWB crew cab 2WD 5 speed.
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