Blue Anti Freeze

[N1ST]

I could buy the green Prestone brand, but would rather stick with the blue that's in my MF. Anyone know of a Wal-Mart or Napa brand that's blue? ...it's tough to tell from the outside of the container!

 

[DieselPower]

Not sure of any regular store that sells it. Cummins uses it in some of their OTR truck engines. The Snap On truck I serviced a couple of years ago had blue coolant in the ISB 5.9.

 

[2manyrocks]

If you have a Tractor Supply Co. store near you, they may have it or find a place that services diesel tractor trucks.

Antifreeze for diesels is supposed to be low silicate stuff to protect the engine block with some kind of additive. There are some test strips that can be used to find out if your additive has grown weak. The green stuff is okay for gas powered vehicles, but you really should use antifreeze formulated for diesels.

 

[jsborn]

I maybe and probably am missing something but how does the coolant know weather it is in a Gas burner or diesel ? I would think there should always be a rather thick metal partition between the fuel / exhaust and the coolant.

 

[2manyrocks]

The problem is called diesel cavitation. That steady diesel hum we all like does some strange things with coolant.

http://www.freeautoadvice.com/diesel/cav.html

 

[woodchuckie]

The silca in anti-freeze is abrasive and in some applications the aluminum parts like water pump seals are thinner and will fail or leak much quicker. Honda uses the blue anti-freeze and it voids the warrenty if an anti-freeze with slica is used. Other brands do have the silca free. I don't know what color it is you just have to read the label.

Coolant Information Page

 

[N1ST]

Yes, I was going to mention that Honda (motorcycles) uses the blue stuff, so that may be a source.

 

[jsborn]

The problem is called diesel cavitation. That steady diesel hum we all like does some strange things with coolant.

http://www.freeautoadvice.com/diesel/cav.html

Well 2manyrocks example talks about a problem that can be corrected by yet another additive but nothing about a specific color. Unless one assumes that Blue dye is the additive.


And woodchuckie's example it about Gas burner problems due to Aluminium parts not type of fuel.

I am getting more confused by the minute.

 

[jimg]

My machine came w/ green and the dealer recommends Prestone low silicate. They dont even carry NH brand (Ambraflu or whatever its called). I think also the Prestone bottle indicates its OK for diesel or meets the spec req'ed by NH.

 

[2manyrocks]

There are at least two coolant problems here. The well known problem is for the coolant to not freeze and not to overheat. The lesser known problem is for the coolant not to act like an abrasive in a diesel.

Diesels vibrate in ways that gas engines do not and some coolants can wear pin holes in the cylinder walls.

Supplemental coolant additive can be added to the green antifreeze to fight cavitation or you can buy coolant that already has the additive in it.

The additives wear out over time and use. So even though you may have anti-freeze protection left, the antiwear additives may be shot. The only way to tell is to test for freeze protection and to test for the level of additive left.

What the post about Honda antifreeze really brings out is that different metals and seals used in the various engine parts may require a different type of antifreeze for your particular machine.

Not knowing what is in your machine or what is supposed to be in your machine, you need to check your owner's manual for the specific type of antifreeze needed.

The fleetguard diesel antifreeze I use is low silicate, has coolant additive and is blue.

 

[N1ST]

I have a MF GC2310 and the manual only states "50/50 mixture ethylene glycol and water". Where does one find fleetguard diesel antifreeze?

 

[tractorsanmore]

you can find it at a international truck dealer

 

[jsborn]

Kubota Recommends changing the coolant every 2 years and specifies ethylene glycol type that meets SAE J1034 and SAE J814c.

After looking at several types Zerex, Prestone most of the major brands etc. they all appear to meet these specs so I guess I can just color coordinate so as not to clash with orange.

Kubota does however recommends not mixing different brands to limit chances of sludge caused by differing additive packages.

 

[JerryG]

I have a MF GC2310 and the manual only states "50/50 mixture ethylene glycol and water". Where does one find fleetguard diesel antifreeze?

I buy FleetGuard at the Tractor Supply store. The location that I go to usually only has the premixed version.

 

[N1ST]

Jerry,

Is the TSC low silicate, have coolant additive and blue?

 

[Rebel]

The blue coolant made buy Fleetguard is called "ES Complete" Run it in my Cummins powered Dodge

 

[Leemac]

Fleet Charge available at TSC for approx 11.00 gal.
Also, check this site for ore info.


Fleet Charge Specifications Sheet




1. What is Fleet Charge and how is it different?
Fleet Charge is an advanced "fully formulated" coolant designed for heavy-duty cooling system applications. Fully formulated engine coolants were developed in response to user demands for a simple, universal, longer life coolant technology

For years, heavy-duty operators were limited to using low silicate automotive coolant formulations requiring a separate Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA). This often resulted in mixing errors when the SCA was added at initial fill or when topping-off.

To reduce these mixing errors and improve convenience, Old World Industries developed Fleet Charge coolant. Unlike automotive coolants, Fleet Charge is pre-charged with a high quality SCA and already contains all of the ingredients necessary to protect diesel, gasoline, and gaseous fuel engines.

 

[N1ST]

Sounds good, except the color. Pink + Blue = ?

 

[daTeacha]

All this is good stuff so far. Another thing to consider is the various metals that might be used in the radiator or associated plumbing. Some of the types of antifreeze will not work with some metals. For example, my VW needs the "pink" coded variety due to the aluminum block. Specifically, it has to meet European standard G12.

The important thing to check is not the color, but the engineering standard required by the manufacturer and, as mentioned, the miscibility of the different brands or standards when you add or change.

 

[jsborn]

All this is good stuff so far. Another thing to consider is the various metals that might be used in the radiator or associated plumbing. Some of the types of antifreeze will not work with some metals. For example, my VW needs the "pink" coded variety due to the aluminum block. Specifically, it has to meet European standard G12.

The important thing to check is not the color, but the engineering standard required by the manufacturer and, as mentioned, the miscibility of the different brands or standards when you add or change.

AMEN I don't really care what color it is as long as it meets or exceeds the Manufactures recommendations.