Maintenance myths

[Coyote machine]

I need to add a conditioner to the antifreeze in my 2720? What kind of stuff is it and where do i get some? I guess I'm on the 6 year plan because I add to it when it gets low and never thought about changing it.

At the antifreeze conditioner additives store, duh!
Most automotive stores sell additives for various coolants.

What you don't want is for the existing coolant to get sludgy, which could happen for various reasons including adding water with high mineral content instead of distilled, if/ when toping up the overflow tank, for instance.
Coolant is different than it used to be, and for the most part CAN last longer between changes so long as one checks it consistancy/freeze point, etc.

 

[MORRISONSTEEL]

If the parts house is not sure what additive to sell to you your dealer should be able to provide the appropriate additive (they have 2, one for original coolgard and one for coolgard II). You can get the litmus paper strips to test just about anywhere (or you can buy the more expensive refractometer sp?). Don't add conditioner without testing first, that could also lead to the sludge that coyote mentions.

 

[art]

I am wondering what failure mode would be caused by overgreasing.

The clothes washer that has to be used more extensively because of the extra grease getting on your waxing rags!

 

[4570Man]

The clothes washer that has to be used more extensively because of the extra grease getting on your waxing rags!

And my clothes. I hardly ever grease the swivel wheels on my mowers. My Dixie chopper says to grease the blade bearings every 1000 hours or once a year. My other mowers recommend much more frequent greasing. I have never changed antifreeze. The life of a water pump is about 20 years, and I change the antifreeze then.

 

[Snobdds]

Coolant breaks down with heat, ironic I know. Once the anti-foaming agents are gone, air bubbles then travel through the system causing cavitation. These little bubbles, although seemingly harmless, destroy anything metal over time. So I always change me coolant in all my vehicals every two years. This required a new timing cover because the water pump can no longer seal...

 

[GManBart]

Coolant breaks down with heat, ironic I know. Once the anti-foaming agents are gone, air bubbles then travel through the system causing cavitation. These little bubbles, although seemingly harmless, destroy anything metal over time. So I always change me coolant in all my vehicals every two years. This required a new timing cover because the water pump can no longer seal...

This is exactly what I was thinking about when I read the original question. Some engines with sleeved cylinders are know for having problem with cavitation and developing pinholes in the cylinders if the coolant degrades too far.

 

[Coyote machine]

Yep, the air bubbles, especially if containing minerals from hard water are like ball bearings shot blasting all aluminum parts. This leads to internal destruction of the metal parts like water pumps, etc.

 

[Turbys_1700]

I change oil and filters every year in my tractors even though the hours are under the recommended number from the manufacturer. I typically grease the machines good at that time and blow out the air filters and inspect to see if they need replacing. I typically change out the antifreeze every three years with pre-charged antifreeze so I don't need to mess with additives. Works for me so far. My rear finish mower gets more frequent greasing on the wheels. The owners manuals call for every 25 hours of use on the spindles but I probably do it every 15 or 20 hours out of habit. No issues yet after 28 years.

 

[woodlandfarms]

My mower spindles warn of overgreasing. When I inquired, the manufacture informed me that it was less about "blowing" the seal, and more about heat reductions. From what I gathered too much grease fills the cavity and then the heat stays in the bearing, and blammo.

I tend to extend my oil changes when working with Synthetics on older machines. new machines I follow the synthetic indicators. Don't own anything relevant with coolant issues.

 

[sd455dan]

I am wondering what failure mode would be caused by overgreasing.

Finishing up -head into house , sit in recliner to find a big grease smear on the lazy boy