3126B Engine Coolant Flush/Refill

[Jack W Hannah]

Planning an engine coolant flush/refill on my 2002 Patriot with a 3126B CAT engine. I am considering using the Peak Fleet Charge, 50/50 Premixed, SCA Precharged coolant. Is this okay or is there another brand or type of coolant that I should be using?

Thank you.

[Richard Davis]

Jack
The 3126 (predecessor to the C7), is a bored block engine rather than a sleeved block engine.  Therefor it does not require SCAs (supplemental coolant additives).  Only the "big boys" with rebuildable sleeved engines require SCAs to minimize cavitation on the sleeved cylinders.  Any good quality automotive coolant is perfectly acceptable in your engine, so use whatever you use in your cars.
Richard

[Richard Davis]

Jack
Just a side comment.  Assuming you are going to use distilled water to flush the old coolant out, you will likely NOT be able get all the distilled water out after flushing a couple times.  So, I recommend using the concentrated coolant rather than the premixed to compensate for the 3 or 4 gallons of distilled water that will remain in the system.
Richard   

[Jack W Hannah]

Richard,

Thank you for your reply. 

I've been reviewing my Patriot Owner's Manual and my Cat 3126B Owner's manual on this subject, and here's some of the key points I've discovered?

1. Use Cat DEAC whenever possible.
2. Many automobile Coolants are not suitable for use in my coach.
3. Second choice is ASTM -D4985. This solution will require SCA for proper cooling system corrosion protection.
4.. ASTM DD3306 is prohibited due to high Silicate content. Turns out this is what Walmart sells as "Universal Antifreeze". I think the brand name is Super Tech.

The PDFs are too big to attach, but I can e-mail them if you wish. They're only 3 pages.