Antifreeze/Engine Coolant

Anonymous Poster · Jul 27, 2001

What's the popular antifreeze "base" now a days? About to change/flush the engine coolant in a 770 (24HP Yanmar Marine Diesel). Couldn't get any pre-mix at John Deere dealer or truck stop. I've got DCA4 and test strips.

Thanks.

cowboydoc · Jul 27, 2001

Scott,
Instead of the DCA4 I'd just go with the Fleetguard precharged. That way you never have to mess with it again. We've been using it for years with no problems at all.

Anonymous Poster · Jul 27, 2001

Thanks, did some more snooping around the Interent last night, I'm going to hold off until I can get some precharged.

Thanks again.

TWINKLE_TOES · Jul 29, 2001

cowboydoc,

What the heck are you talking about? "base", "precharge"??
I think I'm about to learn something. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

Al

cowboydoc · Jul 29, 2001

Twinkle Toes,
Diesels get what is called cavitation where the vibration in the engine and resulting currents around the linings in the piston causes them to eat themselves away and cause block failure. You have to use something that will coat the sleeves and prevent this from happening. DCA4 or SCA4 is a chemical that coats the sleeves and prevents cavitation from happening. You can either add it or get a coolant that is pre-charged with it. On pickups because of the seals you can't use most precharged coolants with them and have to have the test trips and periodically check the system to make sure it is charged. With tractors, trucks, etc. they just have a prechargerd antifreeze or a filter that you replace that continually replaces it.

TWINKLE_TOES · Jul 29, 2001

Thanks Doc, appreciate the response./w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

cowboydoc · Jul 29, 2001

Twinke Toes,
No problem, glad I could help. The Fleetguard is the best that I've found and the cheapest, $5.99 a gallon at Farm & Fleet. Not all diesels will do it but it's such cheap insurance it's not even worth taking a chance.

Anonymous Poster · Jul 29, 2001

Just to expand on Richard's reply...

On your tractor's diesel engines...don’t use an automotive type antifreeze…they usually have a higher silicate level that’s more compatible with the aluminum parts used on car engines… An ag/diesel type antifreeze has a low silicate level. When you use automotive antifreeze or add the wrong coolant additives, you can end up with a gel situation which can clog the passages in a diesel engine and radiator. Special additives are used in ag type to minimize the air bubbles causing the cavitation… especially damaging on a wet sleeve cylinder liner.

Here are some problems that can occur from using a lower grade or automotive type antifreeze.

Gelling.

Plugged radiators

Pitted Liners or cavitation erosion.

Doublezero · Jul 30, 2001

John,

I'm facinated with this discussion and can almost understand the gelling and plugging. Where can I learn more about the pitting caused by the bubbles? 00

Anonymous Poster · Jul 30, 2001

Hi Larry,

You can go to John Deere's parts/supplies and they have a short blurb...

Mostly, I've learned talking with different ag engineers over the years. What really surprised me was the conditioners... that "too much" of a good thing can be detrimental causing the slim and gelling, ending up being a "bad thing". /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

The cavitation problem is very famous in jetski pumps, hydraulic pumps, cylinder liners, etc. It's remarkable the damage "air bubbles" can perform on these devices.

I always thought antifreeze was antifreeze was antifreeze..., but there really is a difference!