DCA in anti freeze?

[phantom309]

Sorry if this post is out of place.

Do you guys run any type of DCA (diesel coolant
additive) in your anti freeze? It's to prevent
cavitation of the cylinder wall.

I've been in the habit of doing so in my Ford diesel
trucks, but never have in my tractors.

But I've sometimes wondered....

Thanks.

Mark

 

[cowboydoc]

Definitely a good idea to do it. You can get Fleetguard and it does a good job. You don't have to add to it either. Just put it in and you are done.

 

[cstocks]

<font color=blue>It's to prevent cavitation of the cylinder wall.</font color=blue>

Mark,

Could you explain that a little better for me?

I have owned a diesel truck (my first) for almost two years and just got around to reading the owners manual. It says that I should add a few ounces to my radiator on a scheduled basis. I never heard of the stuff so needless to say I have never added it. I suppose I should start adding it since the owners manual say to do it. It would be nice to know how it helps and what can happen if it is not used so if you can give me a little more detail I would appreciate it.

 

[cowboydoc]

Do a search on cavitation. We have talked about it in detail here on this site in previous posts. Also go to www.ford-diesel.com. They talk about it in even more depth on that site.

 

[phantom309]

Hi Chris-

I'm no expert either. As you said, my Ford owners manual
suggests to add some DCA on a scheduled basis. I learned
over at http://www.ford-diesel.com that an even better way
to handle this is to pick up some DCA test strips from Ford,
International or other vendor (I buy mine at
http://www.dieselpage.com ). This allows you to test the
level of DCA in the coolant and update as needed instead
of just crossing your fingers and dumping in some more
additive. It's an extremely easy thing to do and only
needs to be done once every blue moon.

As I understand it, cavitation is a problem where the
cylinder wall will flex or "ring" a little as a result of the
powerful combustion event in the combustion chamber.
This ringing will cause a tiny little pocket of air to form
in the low pressure area left by the ringing cylinder wall.
When this little pocket of air forms and then collapses,
it takes an itty bitty teeny weenie piece of the cylinder
wall along with it. Multiply this tiny amount by millions
of combustion events and you can eventually end up
with pin holes in your cylinder wall.

The DCA prevents this from occuring, but I do not know
what exactly it does. Ford says add it. I add it. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

DCA is recommended by many diesel engine manufacturers.

My latest tractor is a CASE. I guess I might contact them
to see what they say. But I thought that I'd throw it out
to see what you guys were doing, if anything...

Best,

Mark

 

[DK35vince]

cstocks,
I have seen cavitation many times in big truck diesel engines.
It can be a problem with engines with wet liners.(cylinder liners where the coolant runs dirrectly around the liner).
The liner will rust from the outside in leaving small pinholes in the liner.
When that happens the cylinder pressure will blow through these holes and push the coolant out of the radiator.
Usually means a total engine rebuild.

 

[cstocks]

Thanks guys,

I appreciate your explanations. Looks like I let a critical little detail get by me on properly maintaining my diesel truck. Sounds like I could be asking for trouble down the line if I don't follow the manufacturers guidelines. I am going to pick up some DCA additive this week and add it to my radiator asap. Maybe I will check into the test strips you mentioned in your post as well, phantom309. If I am going to do it I may as well do it right. Thanks again.

 

[Turfman]

Do we really need this in these small diesels? I looked for some today and couldn't find it.

 

[cowboydoc]

Yes you do need it. All diesels are prone to cavitation. Some more than others.

 

[MikePA]

Tractor Supply carries Fleetguard, good for diesels. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif