Radiator care

[5030]

I highly suggest switching to the pink coolant on your diesel tractors. Doesn’t cause cavitation.
Seen more long term diesel engine failures from cavitation than I want to.

I don't. It all depends on what type of engine it is (parent bore or dry liner versus wet liner). Cavitation is a non issue with a dry linered or parent bore engine. One needs to determine just what the liners are subjected to before switching coolants. In my case, my engines have dry liners so any type of AF will do. In fact Kubota recommends conventional glycol antifreeze, least for my engines.

 

[stephanadams]

2013 Kubota M59 with 1460 hours. First coolant change. Old coolant had some whitish color while flushing. Did several plain water flushes bring each up to operating temperature and getting diminishing color. Inspection of core looking down from radiator cap opening looked clear. Cleaned overflow tank. Thin layer of gunk on bottom.

Added bottle of Peak radiator cleaner/flush and water. Per instructions operated 3-6 hours at operating temp over several days time. Drained and again flushed with water several times. Not much color or solids seen. Core looked about the same.

One flush with distilled water.

Added fresh coolant diluted with distilled water. Coolant says it’s good for 10years or 300,000miles.
Nox Vidmate VLC
Know this contrary to Kubota 2year coolant replacement maintenance schedule. Wondering if improved coolant formulas could extend coolant life while protecting the engine? Flushing like I did does take considerable time over several days.

Can’t tell any difference in operating temperature but it’s been hot and humid.

That made a HUGE difference in the temps I saw afterward. I had my radiator out of the Ford while restoring. I made it a point to spray it with a cleaner and let it soak. I used a soft "bench brush" to clean between the fins. I was amazed at all the caked-on dirt that came out of it during the brushing and rinsing. It was visibly more open.

 

[5030]

I equate cleaning a radiator to brushing my teeth. regular brushing keeps them clean and promotes healthy gums and fresh breath.

Regular cleaning of ANY radiator promotes good heat exchange and prolongs the life of the engine.

 

[jonathentyquan]

2013 Kubota M59 with 1460 hours. First coolant change. Old coolant had some whitish color while flushing. Did several plain water flushes bring each up to operating temperature and getting diminishing color. Inspection of core looking down from radiator cap opening looked clear. Cleaned overflow tank. Thin layer of gunk on bottom.

Added bottle of Peak radiator cleaner/flush and water. Per instructions operated 3-6 hours at operating temp over several days time. Drained and again flushed with water several times. Not much color or solids seen. Core looked about the same.

One flush with distilled water.

Added fresh coolant diluted with distilled water. Coolant says it’s good for 10years or 300,000miles.

Know this contrary to Kubota 2year coolant replacement maintenance schedule. Wondering if improved coolant formulas could extend coolant life while protecting the engine? Flushing like I did does take considerable time over several days.
Nox Vidmate VLC
Can’t tell any difference in operating temperature but it’s been hot and humid.

That made a HUGE difference in the temps I saw afterward. I had my radiator out of the Ford while restoring. I made it a point to spray it with a cleaner and let it soak. I used a soft "bench brush" to clean between the fins.

 

[jyoutz]

Did you clean the outside too? That made a HUGE difference in the temps I saw afterward. I had my radiator out of the Ford while restoring. I made it a point to spray it with a cleaner and let it soak. I used a soft "bench brush" to clean between the fins. I was amazed at all the caked-on dirt that came out of it during the brushing and rinsing. It was visibly more open. The Ford will run at thermostat temp all day now. It shows pretty low on the temp gauge. I haven't seen it hit the red even with chaff on the grill.

Check out a tool called radiator genie. It makes the cleaning easy.

 

[4570Man]

That made a HUGE difference in the temps I saw afterward. I had my radiator out of the Ford while restoring. I made it a point to spray it with a cleaner and let it soak. I used a soft "bench brush" to clean between the fins. I was amazed at all the caked-on dirt that came out of it during the brushing and rinsing. It was visibly more open.

It takes a lot of work to clean a neglected radiator and a lot of times you can’t even do a good job without removing it. The vast majority of overheating problems caused by dirty radiators. Even if the owner says they’re clean they usually aren’t.

 

[Deleted member 371759]

I always use what is recommended by the manufacturer. Just when you think you outsmarted them you find out injector cups or whatever is not compatible with the new type of coolant you have put in. I know the Injector cup sealant in one of my trucks is not compatible with anything but green conventional coolant with a SCA package added.