CUMMINS B5.9 coolant?

[ronspradley]

I have a B5.9 Cummins in my 1993 Gulfstream. Pre emissions and pre computer, all mechanical. What type of coolant does this engine require? I just cleaned the outside of the radiator of slobber tube gunk and am now going to change coolant in radiator. Bought last November and do not know maintenance history.........ron

[RustyJC]

Since the 5.9 Cummins is a parent bore engine (i.e., no wet liners), no DCA (diesel coolant additive) is required for protection against cavitation. It'll be perfectly happy on good ole ethylene glycol (the green stuff). You can spend more if you like, but it isn't needed.

Rusty

[ronspradley]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC Since the 5.9 Cummins is a parent bore engine (i.e., no wet liners), no DCA (diesel coolant additive) is required for protection against cavitation. It'll be perfectly happy on good ole ethylene glycol (the green stuff). You can spend more if you like, but it isn't needed. Rusty

Thanks Rusty...........good to know. I am always willing to spend less when it works...........ron

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by RustyJC Since the 5.9 Cummins is a parent bore engine (i.e., no wet liners), no DCA (diesel coolant additive) is required for protection against cavitation. It'll be perfectly happy on good ole ethylene glycol (the green stuff). You can spend more if you like, but it isn't needed. Rusty

Same with the CAT 3126 and the C-7, no liners in either

[greystroke]

I use the diluted 50/50 supertech green coolant. Usually always available at Walmart.

[powderman]

Although my engine is in a truck, it is the 5.9 and Cummins recommends a HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) coolant. Zerex G05 meets this requirement and can be bought at NAPA. Here in Ohio it is about $10.50 a gallon. I would check with the manufacturer of your unit. Whatever you do, I would NOT put Dexcool in it. You can search for Dexcool problems and spend many a day reading through a small portion of the posts.

[RustyJC]

Quote:

Originally Posted by powderman Although my engine is in a truck, it is the 5.9 and Cummins recommends a HOAT (Hybrid Organic Acid Technology) coolant.

Please note that the OP's engine in question is a ~1993 12 valve 5.9. Yes, HOAT coolants are now in favor and could certainly be used in a 1993 engine, but they're not required for and weren't originally used in an engine of that vintage. Thus my comment that he could spend more, but it isn't necessary.

Rusty

[powderman]

I forgot to look in the signature line to see it was a 1993. My advice still applies when it comes to Dexcool. I've seen lots of post about it, and 99 percent of them were bad.

[spike45]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D Same with the CAT 3126 and the C-7, no liners in either

Hold On, There! Not all parent bore engines are created equal. Only the Cummins B5.9, ISB 5.9 and ISB6.7 do not need engine coolant with SCA. The Caterpillar parent bore engines are not immune to cavitation pitting. The original CAT 3208 as used in trucks, farm tractors, Bluebird Wanderlodge and others was known to suffer cavitation pitting. I worked at CAT for 20 years divided between dealers, factory, subsidiary company, and as a contract engineer. I can only vouch for the Cummins engines as my 21+ years with Cummins (Fleetguard) there has never been a pitting failure, regardless of HP ratings. For the CAT engines, use either CAT ELC OAT coolant or any coolant that meets ASTM D6210 which could be Final Charge, Fleet Charge, a couple of Shell coolants plus Shell Rotella ELC, Chevron Delo ELC, and Fleetguard ES Compleat or Fleetguard Fleetcool EX.

The Cummins TSB on engine cooling system maintenance does not differentiate the B engines from the rest of the automotive engine models like C, ISC, ISL, ISM, ISX. The Cummins coolant requirements do call for the same ASTM D6210. Cummins does not have a lesser duty rated coolant requirement spec so they apply the HD to the B series Midrange engine family.

Cummins in Dodge pu is Chrysler factory filled with a standard light duty car coolant. There are no issues at Cummins with that.