Coolant question

[Highridge]

A quick question on coolant.
I dont think the coolant on my truck has ever been changed and the SCA level is very low( just checked, not good). I added some fleetguard SCA but am thinking I would like to flush the system and replace with some good quality coolant from tractor supply, the kind with SCAs already in it. I'm a little confused on how much to get since Ive read somewhere something about mixing it 50/50 with water. Does that mean I should get 14 gals of coolant and 14 gals of water?

thanks,
Derek

 

[Highridge]

Just thinking... If the rule of thumb is 1 pint of DCA for 4 gallons and the 7.3 takes 29 gallons, that means I would need about 7 pints of DCA. It seems to be it would be smarter to just buy new coolant with the DCA already in it. Does this make sense?

Thanks

 

[91f2504x4]

I'm confused, who told you it took 29 gallons of coolant? Mine held 8 Gallons, 4 Gallons Fleetcharge and 4 gallons of distilled water.

 

[Highridge]

now im confused, i seem to remember reading that but it must be wrong. If it really does hold 8 that makes me feel so much better about only buying 2 pints of DCA

Thanks

 

[91f2504x4]

29 gallons would fill my cooling system and my fuel tank. If you use the fleetcharge from TSC it already contains the SCAs.

 

[RLDSL]

system holds 8 gallons

 

[sle2115]

Whew, got scared there for a minute, I just did a flush and fill and only used about 7 1/2 gallons of 50/50 fleet charge mix!

 

[Mike]

the 7.3 takes 29 gallons,

29 quarts not gallons....

 

[Agnem]

That Fleetcharge seems like decent stuff. It's purple, but otherwise is the same as the good old green stuff. The SCA is DCA-2, so you must use DCA-2 test strips with it, and not the DCA-4 ones. The additive must also be DCA-2, and I'm told Freightliner uses this stuff a lot, so these additives and test strips are avaiable at a lot of big RV dealers.

 

[CDX825]

Napa has three way test strips that work with the DCA-2 and I'm pretty sure Napa Kool is DCA-2.

 

[Highridge]

Thanks guys
I think Ill just top off the SCAs for now until I decide whether to go with the TSC stuff.

 

[typ4]

I like the Zerex G05 gold. Rated for all diesels and available everywhere .

 

[LASVEGAS7.3IDI]

the best coolant ive found is the cat elc its good for 300,000 and only needs to be topped off at half life. with this and a coolant filter all should be good. like i said been running it every since i got my idi and have had no problems.

 

[Agnem]

I've read that the 3 way test strips do not reliably test DCA-2. Do a web search and draw your own conclusion. I don't trust any NAPA counter guy to know diddly squat about test strips. Any kind of ELC uses OAT (organic acid technology) which is NOT good for our oil cooler O-rings.

 

[69dieselfreak]

the best coolant ive found is the cat elc its good for 300,000 and only needs to be topped off at half life. with this and a coolant filter all should be good. like i said been running it every since i got my idi and have had no problems.

+1 on that im running cat elc great stuff
the only bad thing you might not be able to find it out in the middle no where
but thats why i carry a little extra