John Deere Antifreeze question

[john leitschaft]

I am running a John Deere 5055D. Noticed I had an antifreeze leak and believe I fixed the issue but now I need to add coolant. Looking for advice on what type of antifreeze I can use. Do I need to buy JD (green and yellow bottle) or can I go to my local auto parts store and get a bottle off of the shelf? Any advice is greatly appreciated? Thanks John

 

[Deere Dude]

I understand that some antifreeze's are not compatible. Obviously you can't go wrong getting it from a dealer.

I need to get this clear also so am following this thread.

 

[Gary Fowler]

I seem to recall on a Prestone bottle that it was compatible with all types of automotive antifreeze which I take to mean yellow or orange types. Obviously I would get the type of the color that is in the tractor at present. I think that is the only thing you have to match.

If you are not getting a premix with 50/50 solution, don't forget to pick up a gallon of distilled water to mix with the new antifreeze. I keep several gallon jugs of it on hand because I use it for batteries, radiators AND my CPAP humidifier.

 

[CobyRupert]

What is it about the 50 series that they can't get the hoses tight? Someone once said it's because they use the screw type hose clamps rather than the self-springy compression type.

I don't know the official answer, but I'd guess it's probably "Use official J.D. antifreeze". I'd bet it probably cost 2-3 times as much as autopart store anti freeze, not because it has special specs but the extra money is to cover the cost of printing that picture of a jumping deere on the bottle.

Before I got all the clamps tightened down I just added Prestone yellow bottle and 50% water (distilled) and didn't think twice about it.

 

[Labrat]

As long as your engine cylinders are cast in block and not a wet liner you should be fine with off the shelf coolant. If you have removable cylinder sleeves you should use coolant with anti cavitation additives. I'm not sure about the 5055D

 

[5030]

Match the color. If the AF is red/orange buy red/orange. If it's green, buy green. Most all red / orange AF for diesels (extended life) had SCA's in the mix already.

I'm sure JD has one of the manufacturers bottle theirs and relabel it JD for an inflated price.

 

[hosspuller]

The Deere 5055D has wet cylinder liners. You must use anti cavitation additives or risk a hole in the liners.

Deere branded antifreeze has the SCA or you can buy the Deere additive. I forget the p/n but if someone asks I will post it after I find the bottle..

 

[RalphVa]

I always use JD antifreeze.

The hose clamps on my 1025R were not tight either. Had coolant left over from changing on the 4010.

Ralph

 

[Copperhead]

The Deere 5055D has wet cylinder liners. You must use anti cavitation additives or risk a hole in the liners.

Deere branded antifreeze has the SCA or you can buy the Deere additive. I forget the p/n but if someone asks I will post it after I find the bottle..

That's true with traditional coolant. And SCA levels have to be tested and maintained. I have given up that and gotten sold on the red Extended Life coolants for diesels for quite a while. I use the same coolant in my compact as my semi truck gets. No SCA's required and much better liner cavitation protection. I run the coolant for 500,000 miles in my commercial trucks and 5 years for my other stuff. Not bad pricing on the stuff. I can generally get a gallon of 50/50 premix for about $12. Delo, Rotella, etc all make this stuff. No SCA supplements or testing for them required. I have grown fond of Final Charge brand made by Peak. Even used this stuff in a 2006 Jeep Liberty diesel that has wet sleeves. Still running great. So when you decide to change out coolant.

Extended Life Coolant & Antifreeze - About Final Charge | PEAKhd.com