Replaced coolant

[bdpreece]

Had an appointment at Freightliner today to do a field service campaign while there I asked them to check the coolant. This is on a 2004 Tropi-Cal with a Cat 350. Freightliner was unable to tell me the type of coolant was installed since from the over flow it was clear and from the petcock it was a light tea color. The recommendation was that I Replace all the coolant with ELC to the tune of $104 for materials. I am now good for 3 years then I add an extender which takes me out another 3 years. Seems like a rip off to me. They guessed I already had ELC but could not guarantee it so recommended full replacement.
Has anyone else had this problem?

[bdpreece]

Had an appointment at Freightliner today to do a field service campaign while there I asked them to check the coolant. This is on a 2004 Tropi-Cal with a Cat 350. Freightliner was unable to tell me the type of coolant was installed since from the over flow it was clear and from the petcock it was a light tea color. The recommendation was that I Replace all the coolant with ELC to the tune of $104 for materials. I am now good for 3 years then I add an extender which takes me out another 3 years. Seems like a rip off to me. They guessed I already had ELC but could not guarantee it so recommended full replacement.
Has anyone else had this problem?

[Dave G]

based on current labor rates that looks like a reasonable price for a radiator flush. After three years probably time for a change anyway.

[JC2]

Our rig runs the so called extended long life coolant(Dexcool) but I have changed mine every 3 yrs in the past on vehicles with it and intend to do it with this MH. Had to many radiator repair people tell me that the extended stuff is not all its cut out to be.

[oemtech]

I have never believed that we have anything that will run 100,000 miles on the orginal parts except a diesel. On my JD tractor they have and additive for the coolant to aid the antifreeze for sleeved cylinders.

I replaced my Dexcool with good old Prestone. I did it for 2 reasons.

1) It looked contaminated....

2) To many post on the net about Dexcool problems,

I did my own replacement in shop using a flushing "T" and some 1" hose. Total cost was about $20.

[Ecker]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by bdpreece:
Had an appointment at Freightliner today to do a field service campaign while there I asked them to check the coolant. This is on a 2004 Tropi-Cal with a Cat 350. Freightliner was unable to tell me the type of coolant was installed since from the over flow it was clear and from the petcock it was a light tea color. The recommendation was that I Replace all the coolant with ELC to the tune of $104 for materials. I am now good for 3 years then I add an extender which takes me out another 3 years. Seems like a rip off to me. They guessed I already had ELC but could not guarantee it so recommended full replacement.
Has anyone else had this problem? </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The color of your antifreeze certainly indicates a problem. The new ELC they added sounds like an OAT formualtion and its major advantage besides the extend life is no need for adding SCA's; just need to check yearly that color stays red and no floating debris in sample.

The price of ELC at retail is about $15/gallon plus shipping= which usually drives price up to ~$22+ per gallon.

[Jestme13]

$105 sounds down rite reasonable to me. I to believe in changing antifreeze every few yrs, phooey on extended anything, I'll pay for the security.

Hey Oemy what did you fill it with for $20, oops thats right, gas motor, miniscule cooling system.

[Jeff H]

That wasn't very nice.

[Jestme13]

[Bill Davis]

Hey Steverino, no flame wars here. But I'll put my hill gobbling gasser against your diesel any time. Missed you in Branson. But Yakov was good. Hey, did you ever notice the first half of Diesel is "Die"?

[Jestme13]

Who's Flaming??? I'm just bustin on my pal Oemy, I think your flaming on my DIEsel
My Diesel is a bad Mammer Jammer, look out. Once ya go DIEsel ya never go back. And where else is an oil change only $200.

[Jeff H]

Bad enough in our business we have to deal with the SCAQMD, but since we have a gasser, we won't have to worry about the ARB and any retrofits.

[Bill Davis]

If a diesl engine rig goes around a gas engine rig going up a hill, is that called "Passing Gas?"

[Jestme13]

well I'm willing to bet that if that gasser was carrying anothe 10,000 lbs, it will get passed. That's if we do a fair comparison, now that's passin gas.