There are many explanations of what Caviation is, and how deadly it is to the IDI on the web, but none as good as what Eric (Yaric008) has come up with now. Mike (95_Stroker) originally posted the information in the paragraph below, which you can read quickly to see if your interested in finding out more. In Eric's informative article, his explaination goes far beyond the simple fact that you need to add Supplimental Coolant Additives to your rig. In Expose' style, Eric has documented proof, photographic evidence, and a VIDEO that shows you just how deadly this diesel malidy can be. Quite possibly the best article on the web on any subject, and the result of MUCH hard work, I strongly urge everyone to point to this article for reference and acknowledge it for the masterpiece it is.
Click Here for Eric's definitive cavatation article.
From Mike, an article written with the PSD owner in mind:
Cavitation. What is it? How do I stop it?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following was taken from the 1999 Ford Diesel Engine Performance Training Guide regarding
cavitation Corrosion:
Cavitation is a localized low-pressure zone. This low pressure zone is caused by vibration of the cylinder wall due to the high cylinder pressure in a diesel engine. The cylinder walls vibrate due to irregular and sharp pressure increases during ignition. This fast cylinder wall movement causes a low-pressure zone to be created at the cylinder wall. When this pressure zone drops below the vapor pressure point (temperature, coolant ratio, and additive dependant) a vapor bubble is formed. When this low-pressure zone returns to a high-pressure zone, the vapor bubble collapses, causing an implosion, or pitting phenomena on the cylinder wall (like hitting the surface with a microscopic ball-peen hammer). If left unchecked, it will eventually eat all the way through the cylinder wall.
Diesel engines that have excessive turbocharger boost or severe duty use usually incur higher cylinder pressures and are more susceptible to cavitation concerns. Vehicles that incur short drive cycles (the vehicle is driven without time to warm up) can also be prone to cavitation concerns.
In short, cavitation is the Cancer of the Diesel Engine. Make sure you maintain the proper level of SCA's in your engine.
The following is a list of Coolants/additives that will prevent cavitation.
Ford or Motorcraft Premium Antifreeze · Motorcraft Premium Gold Antifreeze (does not require SCA/DCA)
· Texaco Antifreeze/Coolant
· Texaco Antifreeze/Coolant Pre-diluted 50/50
· Zerex 5/100 (white bottle) Antifreeze/Coolant
· Zerex Ready To Use Antifreeze/Coolant (premixed 50/50 with de-mineralized water)
· Zerex Heavy Duty Pre-charged Formula
· Shellzone Premium Quality Antifreeze
· Fleetguard Complete EG--pre-charged at 1.5 units/gallon DCA4
Also available premixed 50/50 with water with the same DCA4 level
Fleetguard's DCA4 SCA (Supplimental Coolant Additives), first introduced in 1984, contain heavy-duty chemical inhibitors and organic corrosion inhibitors that provide enhanced diesel engine liner pitting protection. These inhibitors contain Potassium, Phosphate, Potassium Nitrate, Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Molybate, and Adipic Acid.
There are some concerns and naysayers regarding using ELC.....
Extended Life Coolant....in the IDI...There are SEVERAL members
using ELC coolant with NO REPORTED failures!
IF you want test free coolant, CAT, Rotella ELC, and Fleetguard
are all 300 k mi coolants that you pretty much just flush out and clean the cooling system, add the ELC coolant STRAIGHT from the jug and DO NOT add any water what so ever!
This coolant is pre-mixed and if and when make up coolant IS needed ie; after a hose issue,W/P or T/stat replacment etc....you MUST use the product...not tap water!
The minerals in tap/well water will inter mix and cause SLUDGE!
I would like to thank geonc and JPR for supplying the content of this article.
Mike
Click Here for Eric's definitive cavatation article.
From Mike, an article written with the PSD owner in mind:
Cavitation. What is it? How do I stop it?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following was taken from the 1999 Ford Diesel Engine Performance Training Guide regarding
cavitation Corrosion:
Cavitation is a localized low-pressure zone. This low pressure zone is caused by vibration of the cylinder wall due to the high cylinder pressure in a diesel engine. The cylinder walls vibrate due to irregular and sharp pressure increases during ignition. This fast cylinder wall movement causes a low-pressure zone to be created at the cylinder wall. When this pressure zone drops below the vapor pressure point (temperature, coolant ratio, and additive dependant) a vapor bubble is formed. When this low-pressure zone returns to a high-pressure zone, the vapor bubble collapses, causing an implosion, or pitting phenomena on the cylinder wall (like hitting the surface with a microscopic ball-peen hammer). If left unchecked, it will eventually eat all the way through the cylinder wall.
Diesel engines that have excessive turbocharger boost or severe duty use usually incur higher cylinder pressures and are more susceptible to cavitation concerns. Vehicles that incur short drive cycles (the vehicle is driven without time to warm up) can also be prone to cavitation concerns.
In short, cavitation is the Cancer of the Diesel Engine. Make sure you maintain the proper level of SCA's in your engine.
The following is a list of Coolants/additives that will prevent cavitation.
Ford or Motorcraft Premium Antifreeze · Motorcraft Premium Gold Antifreeze (does not require SCA/DCA)
· Texaco Antifreeze/Coolant
· Texaco Antifreeze/Coolant Pre-diluted 50/50
· Zerex 5/100 (white bottle) Antifreeze/Coolant
· Zerex Ready To Use Antifreeze/Coolant (premixed 50/50 with de-mineralized water)
· Zerex Heavy Duty Pre-charged Formula
· Shellzone Premium Quality Antifreeze
· Fleetguard Complete EG--pre-charged at 1.5 units/gallon DCA4
Also available premixed 50/50 with water with the same DCA4 level
Fleetguard's DCA4 SCA (Supplimental Coolant Additives), first introduced in 1984, contain heavy-duty chemical inhibitors and organic corrosion inhibitors that provide enhanced diesel engine liner pitting protection. These inhibitors contain Potassium, Phosphate, Potassium Nitrate, Sodium Nitrite, Sodium Molybate, and Adipic Acid.
There are some concerns and naysayers regarding using ELC.....
Extended Life Coolant....in the IDI...There are SEVERAL members
using ELC coolant with NO REPORTED failures!
IF you want test free coolant, CAT, Rotella ELC, and Fleetguard
are all 300 k mi coolants that you pretty much just flush out and clean the cooling system, add the ELC coolant STRAIGHT from the jug and DO NOT add any water what so ever!
This coolant is pre-mixed and if and when make up coolant IS needed ie; after a hose issue,W/P or T/stat replacment etc....you MUST use the product...not tap water!
The minerals in tap/well water will inter mix and cause SLUDGE!
I would like to thank geonc and JPR for supplying the content of this article.
Mike
