Coolant/Anti-freeze

[Bart Mix]

With all of the other coolant related work I am doing on my 2003 Beaver Monterey 350 ISC, I want to drain & flush the system & replace the coolant. We don't have a Cummins dealer close by so wondering what coolants & would be safe in using for my engine & would be readily available to purchase while we are traveling, if needed? Also, is there more than 1 drain point I need to service for the flush? Thanks!
Bart from VA

[George Harwell]

Bart, my 03 Monterey owners manual on page 389 first sentence states to use glycol in the form of ethylene or propylene. Pages 389, 390, & 391 should answer most of your concerns. As for the coolant I have always used Prestone ethylene glycol which is available nationwide in the 50/50 prediluted or the pure glycol. If you use the pure then you have to mix it with distilled water before putting it in the system. You will have to add SCA also. My notes tell me to start with 12 gallons if just draining the radiator so will need more if draining the block. There is a petcock on the metal pipe that connects to the bottom radiator hose. The engine has one located just aft of the oil filter. It's a nasty job so stock up on rags and rubber gloves.

[Bart Mix]

George - I drained my radiator yesterday via the petcock & with about a 1/3 of a surge tank got out about 7.5 gallons. I was not aware of the other drain location aft of the filters so I guess I go back under tomorrow looking for it. It was not messy at all because I just slipped in a wide, deep container centered right under the radiator hose petcock & probably only lost 1/2 of a cup or so. BTW, take a look at your two (2) metal transfer radiator hoses (upper & lower) on your coach & inspect carefully if you haven't already. Mine were badly corroding from the outside & heavy rust starting to form on the inside in places as well. Unfortunately, one of the metal hoses is no longer available & the other metal transfer hose is priced at $906.00 (WOW!) w/o shipping from REV. Therefore, I contacted a local exhaust fabricator & he will fabricate both hoses for $250 in stainless steel. All I had to do was to provide the two stainless steel bungs (which I found on line & was shipped in 2 days). I plan to replace most everything related to the coolant system & belts as PM so I hopefully can avoid a potential breakdown while on the road. Probably will spend around $600 total including the new fabricated stainless steel hoses.
Thanks for your info.
Bart from VA

[Keith Moffett Co-Admin]

Bart
There are several manufacturers who make 'extended life coolant'.  These allow 6 years or 60K miles as opposed to the 2 year life cycle of the Prestone.  I use the CAT because it has the additives in it so eliminates the need for the coolant filter.  I always travel with one or two gallons.
When I change the coolant I have it done at a local shop for the cost of the coolant and $50.  He flushes it all the way through the heater core and eliminates any air trapped in the system.
Just a FYI

[Keith Moffett Co-Admin]

By the way Bart, I wanted to welcome you to the Beaver family.  Be sure and attend a couple Beaver rallies when you can.  You will find more family and friends with common intrests and just real good folks than you can shake a stick at.
Safe travels till then!

[Edward Buker]

George,

The Prestone 50/50 indicates that it is for cars and light duty trucks. There are additive packages that are blended into antifreeze made for diesel trucks that include an anticavitation component that keeps metal in the liners from eroding. I am not saying that Prestone 50/50 is not suitable, but I think that it would be worth a check with the engine manufacturer to see what they recommend. I use Cat extended life coolant like Keith does in my Cat engine. Good info here and photos of cavitation erosion and Cat ELC.

http://www.bmgs.com.tr/doc/GucSistemleri/MusteriDestek/CAT-ELC.pdf

Later Ed

[Steve Huber]

If switching from Prestone to CAT ELC, suggest following procedure; drain coolant from engine, refill with water and run engine to operating temp. Drain water. Refill w/ water, run  to op temp and drain. Repeat this once more. Then fill system with distilled water, run engine and drain. Add 1 gallon of straight ELC. (This will mix with distilled water left in system). Finish filling system with 50/50 ELC and distilled water.
If you mix ELC with non-ELC coolant it will foam and reduce cooling capability.
Steve

[George Harwell]

We are talking about the CUMMINS engine requirements. CUMMINS RV maintenance and operation guidelines specifies a low silicate ethylene or propylene glycol meeting ASTM 4985 standards. The prestone I use meets the standard with the requirement by CUMMINS to add SCA for corrosion protection. The extended life coolant has a life of 5 years or 150,000 miles.

[Bart Mix]

George - where do you normally purchase your coolant additive? You purchase which Prestone product & is that product readily available in most places?
Thanks!
Bart from VA

[Gerald Farris]

Bart,
I would look at using Rotella ELC coolant for diesel engines that is available at some Walmart stores at a reasonable price. It is approved for 6 years or 600,000 miles by Cummins in their medium range engines like yours without additives, and you just add the extender additive once at 3 years or 300,000 miles. However, from my experience with ELC in Cat engines, the intermittent use and low miles that RVs normally experience, the extender is not normally needed until well over the 4 year mark, and coolant changes can run over 8 years with proper testing.

Gerald 

[George Harwell]

Bart, I get the SCA from the CUMMINS shop in Oklahoma City. I change the coolant filter at each oil change to keep the coolant at the proper level. I purchased prestone 50/50 extended life in the yellow jug. It meets CUMMINS astm 4985 as heavy duty if used with SCA. It is available at Wal-mart,auto parts stores nationwide. I agree with Gerald that Shell Rotella is a good option as it eliminates monitoring and has a long lifetime. Did not know Shell had this or would have switched when I changed the radiator. I think Tractor Supply stocks it.

[Edward Buker]

George,

Sounds like all is well with your antifreeze. Cummins provides good guidance for their engines.

Later Ed

[Bart Mix]

Gerald, George, Edward - hey thanks guys! I really appreciate your input & advice which will give me some options!
Bart from VA

[Bart Mix]

Coolant Update! As suggested - I replaced with Rotella ELC. It was priced well at our local Tractor Supply as a concentrate. After replacing the water pump, radiator hose pieces (4) & installing 2 new custom bent stainless steel (with larger petcock conveniently located below) hose pipes, I drained the old antifreeze out, flushed after operating temp, flushed again with distilled water & then refilled with Rotella. Just got back from a 2000 mile trip & all is well. Thanks to all for your recommendations!
Bart from VA