Engine Coolant: SCA (Have you checked lately?)

[Batman_777]

IMPORTANT:

SCA's are important to check in your engine coolant.

Read the engine manufactures

SCA Recommendations for Selected Systems:
* Red-orange ("Strawberry Red" color extended service antifreeze is available as an option.
Maintenance recommendations for the extended service antifreeze vary by engine make:
Caterpillar: add extender at 300,000 miles, drain at 600,000. Do not mix with other types of coolant and other SCAs are not required.
Cummins: a silicate-containing SCA is required and normal maintenance with SCAs is recommended. Drain and replace at 240,000 miles.
Detroit Diesel: add extender at 150,000 miles, drain at 300,000. Do not mix with other types of coolant and other SCAs are not required.

[Route 66]

My Cummins ISL, built in 2006 has extended life coolant and SCAs are not required.

Check your owners manual.

[Batman_777]

Freightliner told me the engine uses up or depletes the SCA's from the coolant. Over time, the SCA's run out and can damage the engine. The engine uses the SCA's (Supplimental Coolant Additive) to help protect the cylinder walls from pitting.

[Steve Ownby]

Believe it or not, the coolant used in a wet-sleeved diesel engine is somewhat complex.

Be sure you know what is in your engine and what is required by your engine manufacturer.

Even extended life OAT technology coolant may require an extender at some point. Know what your situation requires.

Steve O

[a k]

Don't they make a coolant filter that is charged with the additive in it for a Cummings?

[Route 66]

The newer ISL's, including mine do not have a coolant filter. The older engines did indeed have a coolant filter.

I don't know if other Cummins engines have done away with the filter.

I just recently added the extender at the 3 year mark. No testing with test strips is required.

[Norm4015]

Most Cummins engines dropped the coolant filter with 2005 models.

[royce999]

Just experienced this situation. Every time I had my Cummins ISC serviced, the mechanics always told me not to worry about changing the coolant filter. This time I serviced it myself -oil change, oil filter, both primary and secondary fuel filters, lube, etc. I decided to change the coolant filter without thoroughly reading and digesting what the manual says. I found out when you turn the shutoff valve above the filter, you must turn it exactly as the manual shows you to turn, clockwise 1/4 turn. Otherwise, the flow is not off.
Also, before replacing the filter, do a strip titration test on your radiator fluid to determine which coolant filter to install. Use a filter that matches what the strip calls for. Yes, the filter does contain SCA, or whatever it is called.

My question is - has anyone out there drained and flushed their coolant themselves? The Cummins repair shop by me wants $600+ to do this. Sounds pretty high. Also, since Monaco is belly-up, I can't find out what the total coolant capacity is for my 2002 Holiday Rambler Endeavor with a 330 Cummins ISC engine. Any ideas?

Royce999

[tmitchell]

Royce999,
I have a 2004 DSDP with 370 HP ISL Cummins. It has a coolant filter, which I change yearly. I have flushed and changed coolant twice. I spliced a coolant flush kit into one of the heater hoses, this makes the flushing very easy.
I use Prestone 50,000 mile/ 5 year.
It has no Nitrates or Silicates in it.
I mix the SCA with the coolant and distilled water, as I fill the system.
I get all my filters,test strips, coolant flush kit and SCA from:
https://www.rvchassisparts.com/rally.asp.
The test strips are dated and need to be stored in a climate controlled area, if they get too hot they are not suppose to function properly.
Tom

[Mandys Man]

Quote:

Also, since Monaco is belly-up, I can't find out what the total coolant capacity is for my 2002 Holiday Rambler Endeavor with a 330 Cummins ISC engine. Any ideas?

Monaco is still in business as Monaco RV LLC. Call tech support

[Bill2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mandys Man Monaco is still in business as Monaco RV LLC. Call tech support

Route 66, how do you know how much SCA to add to your coolant if you don't test first?
Bill

[Route 66]

As I posted above, late model ISLs with extended life coolant do not use a SCA, therefore no testing is needed.

At the end of three years a coolant extender is required. It's my understanding the extender is a fixed amount.

[GaryKD]

For Final Charge extended life coolant the extender comes in a plastic bottle. It is between a pint to a quart in size. One can purchase it from Spartan, either at their rally trailer or direct from the factory.

As Dirk has posted, Final Charge needs no SCA. The sticker provided to place on the coolant expansion tank warns the owner not to add SCAs.

[royce999]

Tom
Thanks for the input. I am talking to Cummins this week about all the inconsistentcies in my owner's manual as to coolant capacities, flushing proceedures, etc.

The manual coolant capacity ranges from 11.5 quarts to 8-15 gallons. Also, it says for flushing to open the drain valve on the radiator, and remove the plug in the bottom of the water inlet hose. Here it says a drain pan with 5 gal capacity will suffice. My question is - this should drain the radiator, and maybe the plastic recovery tank, but what about the engine? If the engine is cooled down - which I would think you would want, the thermostat should be closed, thereby trapping coolant in the engine. How does this coolant get flushed? I want to do this myself because I just do not have a lot of faith even in Cummins mechanics nowadays. Everyone takes shortcuts to save time. I want it done right - which means doing it myself.

Also, you mentioned a kit to make the flushing much easier, - any more details would be appreciated.

Thanks again - isn't this forum great?

Royce999