Changing out coolant

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by Cat

True 3126 3116 C7 do not have replaceable sleeves. And there for are not as likely to have cavitation problem. But neither do the Ford diesels and they require SCA. But the key thing do not have SCA concentrations higher than recommended. Because it can cause phosphate or silicate drop out (depending on the formula of the antifreeze) which can and has caused cylinder head cracking and piston seizure due to localized overheating. More then recommended SCAs is not a good thing.

Very interesting. I only know about cavitation in Cummins wet liner design engines. Without liners in contact with coolant, where does cavitation occur in these engines. I understand that the SCA/DCA components form a coating on the internal surfaces of the cooling system so there must be some other benefit derived from that coating. Straight HD coolant without a SCA component has better heat transfer characteristics so there must be some reason to spec the SCA coolant.

[Cat]

I still think most of their (Ford) cavitation is still in the cylinder area of the block. The internal loads from the engine firing must be high enough to cause the cylinder to "ring" and form the cavitation voids even in a cast in cylinder.

Although we did see cavitation on the liners and their sealing areas but also in the larger Caterpillar V8s - D3408 and D 3412 D 3416 -blocks- away from the liner- 50mm away from the liner and approx. 60-70 mm from the top of the block and toward the center of the V. And only when the client wasn't using coolant with SCAs. Weird stuff happens -all the time LOL

[Steve Ownby]

Originally Posted by Cat

I still think most of their (Ford) cavitation is still in the cylinder area of the block. The internal loads from the engine firing must be high enough to cause the cylinder to "ring" and form the cavitation voids even in a cast in cylinder.



Although we did see cavitation on the liners and their sealing areas but also in the larger Caterpillar V8s - D3408 and D 3412 D 3416 -blocks- away from the liner- 50mm away from the liner and approx. 60-70 mm from the top of the block and toward the center of the V. And only when the client wasn't using coolant with SCAs. Weird stuff happens -all the time LOL

Thanks for the info & the benefit of your specific knowledge. I guess the coating on the surfaces of the coolant passages are a protectant regardless of location. I wish Spike45 (Gary) was still an active poster. It would be interesting to get the prospective of a coolant expert.

[boyland]

So a friend who is a military mechanic i brought up the antifreeze issue.

He said yes he had heard of this and they have all sorts of cats, cummins, detroits etc... in the fleet.

I said so what to you do on antifreeze. He said every single one comes with green antifreeze. From the factory they come with nothing special just old style antifreeze even the new ones come this way.

I said you know there is a lot of discussion about this he said yeah i know but the military uses green on everything.

Jut thought that was interesting.

[Cat]

Green is just a color. Especially with the military. The military wouldn't want to have different antifreezes for different engines. If not necessary. I believe if you find the Mil specs it will have SCAs in it. You can use antifreeze with SCAs in most if not all engines. Most large mines use one antifreeze for all their engine needs. Caterpillar long life (ELC) can be used in gasoline engines.

[MO Fred]

Ok.... this coach is new to me and after making the original post for this thread, I found a gallon of CAT ELC tucked away in the basement. Judging from all the responses, CAT ELC is probably the best choice. Thanks!