Antifreeze

[Dennis Crawford]

All, I have a C9, 400 HP in my 05 Monterey.  I recently had a leak from the antifreeze overflow container.due to loose clamps.  I want to add antifreeze to bring it up to proper level.  Do I need to buy antifreeze from a Cat dealer?  Is there a special type for this engine. The color appeared to be yellow.

Dennis

[Edward Buker]

I would try and match what is in there if possible. It may be a Ford Diesel Antifreeze. Check this site and article. The color samples should help define what you have. Buy what is the closest diesel color match and in the quantities to replenish what you need it should not be an issue. If you need to dilute a concentrate use distilled water.

http://blendtech.biz/antifreeze-information/diesel-engine-coolant.html

Later Ed

[Jerry Carr]

Dennis I would like to point out a few things to consider, your rig is an 05 the Anti Freeze does have a life limit and if you have green fluid this will need to be maintained with additives. You could also change the fluid to the extended life (Red) this would require that you drain and flush before making the change. I just changed to the red after the quartszite rally I had the Cat Dealer do the 1.5 Hr. job total bill just over $300. but now I don't need to test and I good to go for 9-10 years.

[Joel Ashley]

I'm with Jerry here, Dennis.  It sounds like it's time for a change to ELC.  I had our '06 Monterey's coolant done in 2012 for a little over $100 as part of a larger full service, so the labor was efficiently distributed among the tech's other tasks - they effectively charged only a half hour for the coolant part, and discounted for my CAT Club membership, an entity no longer existent.  I doubt I'll be able to find that deal again, but with ELC it will be awhile before I need to worry about it.  Even at $300 your engine and you will be happier campers.

Joel

[Edward Buker]

Dennis,

If it is time to change antifreeze rather than add I would use CAT ELC as a first choice also. It has been formulated and well tested by CAT so you know all the materials and gaskets in your engine are compatible. My second choice is any other Diesel ELC with the proper CAT antifreeze approvals listed.

If you are currently in a good place with your standard coolant and waiting for a more convenient time to deal with this just be sure your SCA levels are good and that you have added the appropriate coolant to get to the proper fill level.  No emergency here just some planned maintenance schedule will do.

Later Ed

[Karl Welhart]

Ok, I need to chime in on the coolant issue.  Perhaps we are over thinking this concern about coolants.  IMHO, 3126, C7, and C9 engines can use standard duty ELCs.  The most important thing is to flush with distilled water before putting the fresh coolant back in the system.  The standard duty ELCs (Prestone and others) are compatible with other types of coolants.

Now for the C-12 and C-13 engines. You need be more careful about using either the CAT ELC or the heavy duty brands of coolants.  The most important thing for either of these engine groups is you need to change the extended life coolants at least every 6 years.....