Best Antifreeze for TC45DA? Time for a flush and fill - Recommended Procedure?

joemd11 · Oct 6, 2012

Actually, de-icing areas have to have special collection systems to catch the fluid and keep it from being released into the environment.

Jkott · Oct 6, 2012

Salt comes out of the ground and we put it on our food, but I certainly wouldn't be sprinkling large amounts of it over my food plots. Just because something is "non-toxic" doesn't mean it's good to spray everywhere.

I imagine the collection has as much to do with being able to recycle it a few times?

WilliamBos · Oct 6, 2012

Jkott said:
Everyone had problems with the 6.0 power stroke . It was susceptible to head gasket failure regardless of the antifreeze.

What is wrong with propylene glycol, other than being really expensive?

Fine if you stay on top of it, and never let it run low. If air enters the system, you may run i to trouble.

If the manual says ethylene, I would stick with it. There are some excellent ethylene based, low silicate diesel coolants on the market tnat will fit the bill nicely.

jinman · Oct 7, 2012

joemd11 said:
Actually, de-icing areas have to have special collection systems to catch the fluid and keep it from being released into the environment.

Yes, they do, but they only catch runoff. I'm not sure whether that runoff is recycled. With the cost of fluids, it would not surprise me. What sprays into the air and the wind blows away is not contained by anything. I've watched deicing at DFW airport many times and the high pressure nozzles look very much like the hand wand nozzles at auto car washes, only much bigger. Some car washes are even enclosed to contain mist, but I don't know of any airport with a covered deicing area.

BTW: Propylene glycol is used in some foods in tiny amounts as a preservative. Yuk!!!

EDIT: Paul2000, I read the Op Man'l for my TC45D and it put a smile on my face. They suggest draining the coolant and then flushing with tap water until the water runs clean/clear out of the drains. Can you believe it? TAP WATER!!! That's why I don't really suggest flushing unless there are obvious contaminants. I would NOT use tap water, especially in the country where many of us have wells. Who knows what amount of iron and salts might be in our water? I suggest draining and refilling with distilled water as you first said you had planned. Let the engine run for a bit until warm and then drain the distilled water. Refill with 50-50 permanent antifreeze and call it good. Recheck after running for awhile to ensure your reservoir is still topped off.