Fleetguard 3-Way Coolant Test Strips, CC2602A and CC2602B

[spike45]

I am seeing more reports of the CC2602A (4 pack) and CC2602B (single pack) foil wrapped coolant test strips that are aging rapidly causing the nitrite pad to be a tan to brown color when first opened. The nitrite pad is the top pad.

The bottom most pad is the glycol test with the middle pad being for molybdate. The glycol pad has a normal 'peach' or light orange coloration. The center molybdate pad should be slightly off-white. The nitrite pad's normal coloration is a faint yellow.

There is some issue with the foil wrapping process that is allowing humidity to invade the packaging. Humidity will ruin the strip quickly. The usual result is the nitrite pad will darken to a dark mustard color and progress to light Tan eventually very brown. At the same time the molybdate pad will remain white.

When testing coolants with DCA4 or Baldwin BTA additive plus other DCA4-type products from Donaldson, Wix, and Fram the result will likely be the molybdate pad will react very little and the nitrite pad will produce a darker color than what it should for the nitrite content of the coolant. Using the color reference card will still produce a 'units per gallon' concentration. But it is very likely that the DCA number will be incorrect meaning that you have less precharge than you think. What is confusing in this is that the molybdate pad reads low thus driving the DCA number low but the nitrite pad reads high which skews that number upward. I cannot determine the true DCA units per gallon either! Only a lab test or test with test strips that are not affected can tell.

I cannot in this forum officially recommend what to do but I can advise that you discontinue using the Fleetguard foil wrapped coolant test strips to measure the DCA4 levels. If you use a coolant that does not contain molybdate then you only need to test for nitrite. To my knowledge there are no other test strip products packaged in small quantities like the CC2602A,B. Fleetguard does offer the CC2602 test strips in a bottle of 50. I do not recommend doing that. Instead, use a coolant chemical analysis on a once yearly basis to determine SCA level plus other important parameters about the chemical aspect of your coolant plus any system corrosion issues. I will recommend the Fleetguard CC2700 or you can go to Polaris Laboratories webs site and select their coolant analysis. Their lab does our CC2700 testing and report generation. Coolant Analysis: Cooling System Maintenance, Cooling System Troubleshooting

If you elect to continue using test strips to determine the DCA level, you have limited choices as our competitor's products in this line are bottled product. With a two year shelf life for bottled test strips, it is a waste of money to buy a bottle and use 3 or 4 strips and throw the rest away.

The test strip shown below was 'failed' when I opened the package. Note the definite tan on the nitrite pad on the right. The molybdate pad has only slightly darkened from original coloration. Do not use test strips with the discoloration I have described. Your results cannot be believed.

What is your coolant maintenance alternative in this matter? Your engine O&M guide should have a coolant maintenance interval. I have attached a screen image of the ISL9, ISC8.3 Engine Owners Manual Maintenance Requirements. Note that it calls for changing of the coolant filter. ISL9 does not have a Cummins installed coolant filter. Your MH OEM may have put one on. If you do not have a coolant filter, use one pint of DCA4 liquid (pn DCA60L) or equivalent (Pencool, Nalcool, Baldwin, Donaldson, Wix, NAPA, Fram). But do it at each PM interval. Do not do it IF the test says to. That is not what the O&M Manual states. Click on the picture for a larger view.

[Stillwater]

I ran into the problem last fall when I got a package from Cummins and then could not get an appropriate reading. Fortunately I could tell the readings where false but someone with little experience could be fooled. These strips where new off the shelf and well within the expiry date. I got some strips from Cummins shop supply ( a 50 strip bottle) and they worked fine. Next time I'll raid their shop supply again.

[Brigadoon]

I also ran into problems with the test strips. This year I sent off a sample to Polaris Labs for an analysis. My coolant is good to go. No more test strips for me.

[spike45]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brigadoon I also ran into problems with the test strips. This year I sent off a sample to Polaris Labs for an analysis. My coolant is good to go. No more test strips for me.

Terry,

Please be certain to use the Cummins O&M manual service schedule on adding additional DCA or similar additives to you coolant. DCA type chemicals are sacrificial and must be renewed to keep the protection active in your engine.

[Mr_D]

It's nothing new, other forums have reported it for years now. I had a package dated Jan 2011 and they were bad when I tried them a few days ago.

[spike45]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D It's nothing new, other forums have reported it for years now. I had a package dated Jan 2011 and they were bad when I tried them a few days ago.

New information on our CC2602A and B test strips has come in.

"we did have an issue with the packaging for the individual strips and the 4 pack strips last year. The supplier has improved their packaging for the strips in the foil packs to help prevent moisture getting into the packs.

These were the part numbers and date codes affected.
CC02602 A Expiration date before August 2011
CC02602 B (Single Test Strip Expiration date before August 2011
CC02602 AM (4 PK 3-Way Strips - Metric Version Expiration date before August 2011

When the change took place we received a shipment of foil packed test strips with NEW foil material were all from lot #S104 Exp. 08/2011.
This includes:
#CC2602A
#CC2602B
#CC2602AM

So all of the product above with the date code 08/2011 will be okay for use.

[islandtees]

I live 50 miles from the closest Cummins dealer. I called about the new strips pkg and they knew nothing about it. He said he would mail me 2 test strips no charge. I was greatful for the offer. When the strips came they were 3 months expired and had the brown pad.
How can someone get the updated pkg pads?
I dont want to order online because Im sure I will get expired pads.
Its sad that even a Cummins dealer had no clue.

[Cruzer]

I'm done with test strips. Try changing your coolant over to an OAT coolant and you won't have to worry about SCA levels, etc any more. Check out RVcruzer.com - Coolants for HD Diesel Engines in RVs for details on OAT. It's better for your system and greatly reduces the cooling system maintenance.

[Mr_D]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cruzer I'm done with test strips. Try changing your coolant over to an OAT coolant and you won't have to worry about SCA levels, etc any more. Check out RVcruzer.com - Coolants for HD Diesel Engines in RVs for details on OAT. It's better for your system and greatly reduces the cooling system maintenance.

Exactly why I'm going to Detroit Diesel Power Cool Plus, never have to change it nor check the DCA.