Community Forums

Stump Jumper · 03-28-2012, 12:20 PM

Just purchased this motorhome and I want to change the coolant. What types/brands of coolant can I use? Can't find anything in the manuals that came with the motorhome.

wb7auk · 03-28-2012, 12:31 PM

Fleet Charge or Fleet Guard are easy to find and are ok to use.

RustyJC · 03-28-2012, 12:35 PM

The 5.9L Cummins is a parent bore engine (no wet liners) and is not subject to cavitation. It can use anything from ethylene glycol (the green stuff) on up to OAT-type extended life coolants.

Rusty

wb7auk · 03-28-2012, 12:55 PM

All I can tell you is not what I was told to use in my cummins truck.
Will send approved list.
Arctic Blend HD fully formulated
Cat@Diesel Engine Antifreeze Cooland
Detroit Diesel Power Cool
Fleetguard ES Compleat
Fleetguard Fleetcool
Old World Industries Fleet Charge
Preston Heave Duty
Fleetguard Fleetcool EX
Valvoline Zerex Extended Life Extreme 3/300
Detroit Diesel Power Cool Plus
Old World Industries Final Charge
Fleetguard ES Optimax
There are some others but you have to add the silicate additive

RustyJC · 03-28-2012, 01:13 PM

The larger wet liner Cummins engines require a coolant with a cavitation inhibitor (DCA, or diesel coolant additive). As noted above, the recommendations for the parent-bore (non-wet liner) 5.9L B-series Cummins will differ - the engines are two different animals.

Rusty

wb7auk · 03-28-2012, 01:21 PM

What about the problem with the seals they put a service note out on?
Anyway I will stick to the cummins approved list.

RustyJC · 03-28-2012, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wb7auk

What about the problem with the seals they put a service note out on? Liner seals?? The 5.9L (B-series) doesn't have any. It doesn't have any liners whatsoever - wet or dry.

Anyway I will stick to the cummins approved list. With all respect, I'm not suggesting doing anything different. I'm only pointing out that what's acceptable to Cummins on a 5.9L might not be acceptable on the larger, wet liner Cummins engines. For example, when I went to Cummins Southern Plains to get Cummins-approved coolant for my previous 2002-vintage 5.9L Cummins, they sold me a Valvoline low silicate ethylene glycol coolant that does not contain DCA.

See my comments above.

Rusty

Stump Jumper · 03-28-2012, 01:42 PM

So, is anything at my local Autozone o.k. like the Prestone Extended Life or Peak ? I assume the same would apply to the Onan 7500 diesel generator...

RustyJC · 03-28-2012, 01:48 PM

HERE is the Cummins Maintenance and Operation Quick Reference Guide for the 5.9L in RV applications. Note the recommended/acceptable coolants.

Rusty

wb7auk · 03-28-2012, 01:52 PM

We are both right the approved list I send is Ethylene glycol that does not contain DCA
few green colored coolants meet that requirement.
I am sure there is several coolants out there that are safe just not listed.

wb7auk · 03-28-2012, 02:01 PM

No the list I gave you meets D6210 spec's. Rusty and I are saying the same thing
believe it or not.

Stump Jumper · 03-28-2012, 02:16 PM

Thanks for all of your replies, I think I am on the right track now. This site never ceases to amaze me!

spike45 · 04-03-2012, 08:12 AM

While Cummins service information does show the 'preferred' coolant is Fleetguard ES Compleat EG Premix, the ISB and earlier B5.9 in all automotive configurations does NOT require coolants that meet ASTM D6210. Dodge trucks with ISB engines were originally sold with LD automobile antifreeze. It does not harm to run a more robust coolant that meets the 6210 spec. Those additives that protect against cavitation, while not needed in this engine family, will provide ferrous metals corrosion protection and excellent aluminum protection for the radiator if equipped with an aluminum rad. Standard LD coolant meeting ASTM D4985 can be any low silicate level coolant that does not contain and SCA. You can add SCA to those coolants if you wish. It cannot hurt unless you over dose.

Gary Spires
retired Fleetguard/Cummins Field Service Engineer