Which coolant?

FTG-05 · Sep 4, 2018

I use nothing but CAT-1 spec'd ELC coolant in my diesel engines. It's good for 300K miles. I've used Fleetguard, Rotella and one other (maybe CAT?) ELC coolant. If they're spec'd as meeting CAT-1, it's good to go in my book.

They now have a Super-ELC that's supposedly good for 600K miles. I'm sure that's for the Long Haul Truckers not for hobby farm tractor owners like me.

Jesser02Ex · Sep 6, 2018

Well this thread has grown.

Since I didn't need full flush, I went to Walmart and picked up a bottle of their 50/50 coolant. I only need to top off my overflow reservoir and it fit the need. In my 7.3 Powerstroke (navistar) I use the Cat-1 (Cat brand) coolant cut 50/50. I'm at 25 hours on my 3 week old tractor. At my 50 hour service, I'll drain all the coolant and replace it with Cat-1 coolant to my trucks and tractor are use the same.

I really appreciate all the feedback and conversation on this topic. I agree coolant has more options than Oil, but I also determined I was overthinking the issue. Thanks everyone!

mguitas · Sep 6, 2018

I use the Valvoline g05 coolant for diesel engines.

Texasmark · Sep 8, 2018

Jesser02Ex said:
Well this thread has grown.

Since I didn't need full flush, I went to Walmart and picked up a bottle of their 50/50 coolant. I only need to top off my overflow reservoir and it fit the need. In my 7.3 Powerstroke (navistar) I use the Cat-1 (Cat brand) coolant cut 50/50. I'm at 25 hours on my 3 week old tractor. At my 50 hour service, I'll drain all the coolant and replace it with Cat-1 coolant to my trucks and tractor are use the same.

I really appreciate all the feedback and conversation on this topic. I agree coolant has more options than Oil, but I also determined I was overthinking the issue. Thanks everyone!

Keep an eye on your new tractor. I assumed my 6530 had 5 year coolant and learned otherwise when I went to drain, flush and refill at 5 years. Had a lot of white corrosion I had to flush out. Coolant was milky, not coolant green and after draining you could look down and the tubes had corrosion blockages here and there.