SCA additive/testing

[clyon51]

Had our 2006 ISL Cummins for about a year and have been going thru it very meticulously. I’m now on checking the SCA levels. I’ve found the test strips for a song and a dance, then I’ve seen them for $80. I’m thinking this must include the additive?

Just wondering how all of you deal with this. Do you replace coolant or just add SCA? Thx.

[palehorse89]

Be careful and check the packaging the stripes come in, Fleetguard test stripes have "Use By Date" on them. The stripes age out and go bad falsifying results . I stopped doing this , heavy duty coolant system flush, blank coolant filter installed, and filled with Peak Final Charge.

[vsheetz]

Since the coach is new to you are you sure it hasn't been converted to the long lasting coolant and doesn't need testing / additive?

[clyon51]

Originally Posted by vsheetz

Since the coach is new to you are you sure it hasn't been converted to the long lasting coolant and doesn't need testing / additive?

Vince, no I’m not. I have zero service records. I have replaced oil/filter, fuel filters (including AH) I noticed a sticker in the back that said TranSyd fluid was used for the trans. Hydraulic fluid has been changed as well as the filter.

So at point I need to confirm that the antifreeze is up to snuff. Then it’s onto the air dryer!

[Unplanned Tourist]

Truck shops sell the SCA additive. We regularly topped it up when down. Always had to check and record reading when a service was done.
Happy Glamping.

[vsheetz]

Originally Posted by clyon51

Vince, no I’m not. I have zero service records. I have replaced oil/filter, fuel filters (including AH) I noticed a sticker in the back that said TranSyd fluid was used for the trans. Hydraulic fluid has been changed as well as the filter.

So at point I need to confirm that the antifreeze is up to snuff. Then it’s onto the air dryer!

I would suggest to consider an option to just go ahead and have the cooling system changed over since you have no service records. Then you know when and what was done.

[BrianGlenn]

You can also send the coolant in to JG Labs or Blackstone for coolant analysis.

Brian

[clyon51]

Originally Posted by vsheetz

I would suggest to consider an option to just go ahead and have the cooling system changed over since you have no service records. Then you know when and what was done.

No opposed to that at all. Just need to know what coolant to use for the total swap out.

[BrianGlenn]

Originally Posted by clyon51

No opposed to that at all. Just need to know what coolant to use for the total swap out.

For my 400ISL I chose Fleetguard ES Compleat. Not the OAT. A bit cheaper. I did the swap out myself, and replaced thermostat at the same time.

Brian

[vsheetz]

This is the extended life my truck and RV service shop used in mine. Any comparable that meets Cummins spec is ok.

http://www.stpcoolant.com/documents/STP_PRO_HD_ELC.pdf

[gchapell]

Qualifier: info for my Ford 7.3 powerstroke. Watch out on the test strips.They need to read nitrites and molybdate(sp?). The fleetguard strips and corresponding sca(dca4) additive is the way to go for what you have installed now. Went to a local napa and their addititive was wrong and the strips they sold me did not measure the right things. Do your research and check exp. dates on the strips. Don't buy too many as they do expire. 2-3 per testing session would be my suggestion. Manufacturers dealers/truck shops are probably where you get the correct info, not the autoparts stores. Replacing with ELC, extended life coolant, will probably be the best in the long run but do your research to make sure it's compatible with your setup.

[tom chelbana]

We had one of our Newmar Kountry Klub members have his cylinder liner with pin holes from not having SCA additive and he will need a new engine. If you know for sure what coolant you have and the protection for your cylinder liners thats good. But if you don't know for sure then you should have your cooling system drained and flushed and put the proper coolant because this is very, very important. Our NKK member is going to miss the rally in Indio and will need to come up with 40K$ to get back on the road.

[Dutch Star Don]

I just found his out a couple of months ago. I was testing my coolant with the strips, when a friend of mine, retired trucker, said take it to your local Cummins shop or truck repair.

I took a sample and drove over to the Cummins shop. They charged me $2.00 to test it.

I'm a big fan of OAT coolant (Organic Acid Technology) which doesn't have to be tested. In my previous coach, I changed over to Oat coolant at the 5 year mark. After that, I thought I was done with testing since most manufacturers went to OAT. Well....apparently, Freightliner found issue with the OAT coolants and went back to the old style with SCA's. Dang....back to testing.

[Happycarz]

I remember when OAT coolant first came out, along with its issues. So, I have been using non OAT Fleetguard ES Compleat EG, which is an extended life coolant.

I do a drain and fill, not flush, every two years. With my last coach, at 90,000 milesI had to repair the CAC, which meant the radiator had to come out too. The following two photos are of the radiator and upper coolant pipe.





With seeing such spectacular results with my 99 Dynasty's cooling system, I switched the coolant in my new 08 Camelot after a year, when having to replace the cracked plastic surge tank, using an aluminum tank. I flushed the cooling system of the factory fill and installed Fleetguard ES Compleat EG. And every two years I do a drain and fill. Overkill, yes. Do I have coolant issues? No. And, with this coolant I do have to test SCA's

Two months ago, at 70,000 miles, I replaced all my cooling system hoses and the below photo is the upper coolant pipe. This radiator doesn’t allow me to take a picture of the core. So only one this time.



There are more than one way to maintain your cooling system. This is what works for me.