Community Forums

D Lindy · 01-14-2015, 05:10 PM

OK so I've got a chassis built in 2011, and the Coach is a 2012. The motor is an ISL 380hp. I currently have approx. 25000 miles on the unit, and anticipate putting about 5000 miles each year for the next 2 years, after that we'll be going full time the summer of 2018. As it stands now the unit has the factory original antifreeze in it. With the low mileage it has, and the few I'll be putting on it, will it be OK to leave the factory antifreeze in it till right before we take off full time? Can't see changing the antifreeze with so few miles on it.

Pigman1 · 01-14-2015, 05:57 PM

Do you know what kind of antifreeze you have in it now? If it's Fleetguard or the like, when was it last checked for SCA's and freeze point? If they're still OK, you'll probably be OK, but if you are still nervous about it, take a sample and send it to a professional lab like Blackstone.

When you get around to changing it, I'd strongly suggest using Rotella ELC or ELC Plus. 600,000 miles till it needs to be changed and no SCA's to test. Other OAT based antifreeze is fine too but harder to find.

WILDEBILL308 · 01-18-2015, 12:54 PM

What does your owners manual say?
Bill

**CountryFit** · 01-26-2015, 04:34 PM

you can go a cummins center to get a test kit for like $2. easy to do and accurate.
this is how it looks like (i did this last year):

Pigman1 · 01-27-2015, 01:56 PM

If you're using the Fleetguard chart as described above, make sure your antifreeze has both Moly and Nitrite in it. Some acceptable SCA antifreeze does not so you won't be testing for what you don't have. You can still use that chart, you just don't read the color for the additive that's NOT in your antifreeze. Things get more confusing when you don't know what's in the beast.

Also the test strips are only good for a limited time so purchase and use fresh.

Mr_D · 02-03-2015, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pigman1

Do you know what kind of antifreeze you have in it now? If it's Fleetguard or the like, when was it last checked for SCA's and freeze point? If they're still OK, you'll probably be OK, but if you are still nervous about it, take a sample and send it to a professional lab like Blackstone.

When you get around to changing it, I'd strongly suggest using Rotella ELC or ELC Plus. 600,000 miles till it needs to be changed and no SCA's to test. Other OAT based antifreeze is fine too but harder to find.

A local truck company tried that with their rigs, not realizing it was 6 years or 600,000 miles which ever came first. Found holes eaten in the wet liners because they didn't add the extender like they were supposed to. Some OAT coolants need to be totally replaced and others need an extender added.
We need to find out about that on the '09 Magna we are, hopefully, buying. The original owner bought a Prevost and put the Magna out on consignment, he also owns 4 houses scattered around so I assume the maintenance has been done. Trust but verify comes to mind!