antifreeze question for 7520

[jrchafin]

I live out in the sticks, and can't find anywhere to buy the antifreeze listed in the manual for my 7520. I can find low silicate AF's, but the manual states that additives for protecting aluminum are harmful to a diesel engine. I imagine most AF's have aluminum protectant. Basically, if I can't find one of the listed AF's, what type should I buy?

We have a tractor supply company, walmart, advance auto parts, napa, and that's about it.

Thanks!

 

[capi75rs]

I've ran prestone antifreeze in all my diesels for years. The main thing my local mechanic said is not to cross the two types of antifreeze. If it was originally green, keep it green. If the antifreeze is orange keep it orange. Although I've also notice that another type of antifreeze is now out that says it is safe for both types of antifreeze. I learned the hard way a few years ago about mixing the two antifreezes. Even though I flushed the system on my old HD5 crawler, after putting in the orange stuff, I ended up having a head gasket go out, then water into the oil and a real mess. Now whatever the engine came with stays in it.

 

[BobG_in_VA]

Go to an auto parts/truck parts place and ask for low silicate diesel antifreeze...I got a few gallons of Texaco stuff for diesels before they went by the wayside...truckstops will have it as well. BobG in VA

 

[robd123]

This post quite a while ago but I have the same issue. I've read a few places that say to use SCA's (Supplemental Coolant Additives) with the green, low silicate antifreeze. Is that needed? How do you know if your antifreeze requires you to get an SCA as well?

 

[kennyd]

This post quite a while ago but I have the same issue. I've read a few places that say to use SCA's (Supplemental Coolant Additives) with the green, low silicate antifreeze. Is that needed? How do you know if your antifreeze requires you to get an SCA as well?

Read THIS thread for lots of info...

 

[robd123]

Thanks. That was helpful but I still have questions. I have a 6520 4WD and it is the first diesel engine I have had. The more I read, the more it seems I need to learn.

The dealers I have called don't seem to be familiar with SCAs. Do the engines on the Mahindras not need them? My operator's manual doesn't mention them specifically but does say, "use of approved supplemental corrosion inhibitor along with ethylene glycol will...minimize cylinder wall erosion." I'm assuming that is SCAs.

From the comments on this thread, it doesn't sound like people use SCAs. I don't know if the bigger models are different or not but what do those of you with models 5000 through 7530 do? Do you use SCAs? What antifreeze do you use?

Thanks,
Rob

 

[kennyd]

Rob,

In my opinion-ALL diesel engines require the use of SCA's, also known as DCA's. Do some Google searching for those terms as well as "cavitation".

 

[robd123]

This has been interesting. The only place around here I have been able to find low silicate antifreeze for diesel engines is at O'Reilly's and it is their own brand. Not even the farm stores have it. I have green antifreeze in my 6520 so I asked if theirs was green. No. The one that already has the SCA mixed in is pink. He also had clear that supposedly goes with any color. The guy at O'Reilly's said the color only differentiated between manufacturers. And that the clear is universal and can mix with any color.

Have others of you had this difficulty? Is it Ok to go with the clear and add an SCA or to take their pink antifreeze? At this point I was planning to drain all the old antifreeze but I wasn't planning to thoroughly flush. Is that advised?

Thanks,
Rob