Coolant Change DCA4 to OAT

[Ecker]

To reduce confusion and clarify coolant types Cummins Filtration (formerly Cummins Fleetguard) has changed the name of ES Compleat Optimax to ES Compleat OAT.
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OAT (Organic Acid Technology) coolants which do not require the addition of SCA's (Supplemental Coolant Additives) The red OAT coolant used in Newmar Spartan Chassis since approx. 2005.
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For info on change from DCA to OAT see later response

[Ecker]

To reduce confusion and clarify coolant types Cummins Filtration (formerly Cummins Fleetguard) has changed the name of ES Compleat Optimax to ES Compleat OAT.
__________________________________________________
OAT (Organic Acid Technology) coolants which do not require the addition of SCA's (Supplemental Coolant Additives) The red OAT coolant used in Newmar Spartan Chassis since approx. 2005.
_______________________________________________
For info on change from DCA to OAT see later response

[Sixpack98]

I read somewhere Cummins has modified the conversion to ES Compleat OAT that does not require a complete flushing if the existing Standard precharged SCA coolant is not contaminated. I may still be confused even after reading your post. Cummins is great at totally confusing me.

mark

[GaryKD]

Hi Mark,
You are right, all this is confusing. In January, I changed my coolant from green to red (Final Charge). Before I did this I read everything I could get my hands on to ensure I followed the correct process.

If one has a coolant requiring SCA to be added and wants to go to a coolant that does not require SCA (OAT type coolant), one must flush out all the old coolant.

I'd like to think I missed something along the way. It sure would be a lot easier if the old coolant did not need to be removed first. But, as best I can tell the old stuff must go before the new coolant is added.

[Ecker]

One does not need to remove old coolant. However, one must determine that existing coolant is good. This can be done by taking what's called a Quik Check 3 Way Coolant Quality Test Kit (CC2718) and checking. This checks for pH, sulfate and chloride. If one has taken care of the coolant since the beginning of vehicles life and has regularly checked pH levels, etc you might skip the test but ----. If its not good then it must be drained and flushed.

The second step is to add what's called a Converter (CC2778)into the existing coolant and its a done deal; your converted to OAT coolant.

[GaryKD]

Mark,
Leo may be refering to this link. After reading it, if it were me, I'd call Cummins and not hang up the phone until I fully understood what my choices are, in plain English.

[Ecker]

I don't know what the confusion is that needs to be clarified. Its fairly straight forward. what is the question/s ???

[GaryKD]

Leo, I'm sure with your experience a great degree of confidence comes along with what you say. For me, who is doing something for the first time or does something once in a great while, that confidence is not built to a high level. I like to get my thoughts together and then call the manufacturer and get the information, based on my specific chassis #, where I am and where I want to go. For me, there is too much to risk, by doing something wrong.

[Ecker]

Ok but here's some info that may help.

First, let's be clear that Cummins plays a minimal role, if any, in what coolant is in your engine. Engines are shipped from the factory dry i.e. no oil, no coolant, no accessories, no radiators, etc. The chassis builder runs these engines down what is often called a dress up line and installs these components and adds the fluids. The chassis builders over time have changed coolant types and suppliers rather frequently. However, I don't believe Cummins Fleetguard has ever been a bulk supplier to the chassis builders.
Second, the complexity comes into the issue because chassis builders have as noted changed types over time. Thus, dependent upon build date, one's unit may have been built with one of three type's i.e. conventional, extended life or lifetime(OAT). Coolant colors are not standardized except for OAT which is red. However, these are the "normal"�. CAT EL is red/orange, Fleet Charge at FCOC pink, Cummins ES Compleat is blue and conventional aftermarket coolants are green. It is best to call the chassis manufacturer to find out what coolant was used in your unit.
One generally comes into contact with Cummins coolant, under the previous name of Fleetguard but recently changed to Cummins Filtration, when taking unit into a Cummins Distributor or Cummins Dealer for service. Prior to the recent introduction of OAT coolant, these shops would put in ES Compleat EG Antifreeze/Coolant( now they must determine whether existing coolant is EL or OAT) . These coolants are called fully formulated (meaning no need to pre-charge them) Extended Life Coolants for service up to 150,000 miles and contain a supplemental coolant additive (SCA) called DCA4. The DCA4 is maintained for the full 150,000 miles by the use of slow release filters or Liquid ES Extender. However, if one does not use these slow release products then one must monitor the coolant frequently and replenish the SCA's as needed. The color of this coolant is blue.
The recent development of organic acid technology (OAT) coolants often referred to as Lifetime Coolants, do not require SCA's and can go 600,000 miles with the addition of an extender at 300,000 miles. Cummins Filtration has recently changed the name of this coolant to ES Compleat OAT; it was formerly called ES Compleat Optimax and I assume one will find bottles labeled this way in inventory for some time. The coolant color is red. OAT coolants have been used by Spartan since some time in 2005 or possibly earlier; first as Shell Rotella and now OWI Final Charge. OAT coolants are interchangeable between manufacturers. OAT coolants can have EL coolants added up to specific limits (usually 15%) without killing the OAT. If one exceed these limits then must treat the coolant as EL and add and maintain SCA's to proper levels.
One can change from EL to OAT if the existing coolant is in good shape. A liquid converter is available from all suppliers to make this changeover.

[tom wilson]

now that oat coolant has been used since 2005 has anyone encountered problems with the coolant?
just switched to final charge yesterday in my 1996 cummins 8.3L. i went the long way for the changeover by flushing the entire system with cascade soap to get all of the old antifreeze and dca removed.
emailed final charge for a decal so everyone that works on the cummins will know what is in it. they will send as many decals as i want.
finalcharge.com