coolant change: your frequency

[big bubba]

do you change your coolant by hrs or by calendar intervals? is the simple freeze indication test an accurate way of measuring coolant overall condition, or just the temp it will "freeze"....do you look for buildup (clouding) signs then change, or go by maintenance intervals like your other fluids? My tractor is 4+ yrs old, 370 hrs. changed factory coolant once @ 100 hrs/1 yr...... am i due again? everything looks/tests good. thx in advance

 

[Happyman]

I just follow my maintanance schedule as indicated in my owner's manual. That's what I would recommend. :thumbsup: That way it takes your guess work out of the equation.

 

[Egon]

Depends on the rated life of the antifreeze.:thumbsup:

 

[KennyV]

Time as in Calendar time...
Antifreeze can become acidic... each 'type' antifreeze will have a recommended change interval, stick to that. KennyV

 

[sdkubota]

Always use distilled water in your coolent system to prevent mineral deposits and possible corrosive behavior from tap water.

 

[number two]

Since Kubota still uses the conventional green ethelyene glycol coolant the prefered practice is to replace the coolant every two years with a 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water.Premixed coolant can be found with deionized water-better yet,but be careful not to get the universal stuff.Good Luck!

 

[JOHNTHOMAS]

Since Kubota still uses the conventional green ethelyene glycol coolant the prefered practice is to replace the coolant every two years with a 50/50 mix of coolant and distilled water.Premixed coolant can be found with deionized water-better yet,but be careful not to get the universal stuff.Good Luck!

What does this mean and what's your source of info for not using the "universal stuff" whatever that is and "prefered" by who?.

 

[creekbend]

I have a Kubota L4400. My Operator's Manual states to only use only Ethylene Glycol antifreeze. It aso states that Kubota's Long-Life Coolant has a service life of two years. It says to never add LLC made by another manufacturer, because different brands may have different additive components. It doesn't state anywhere that you can't use another brand of Glycol Antifreeze, but only states to not mix another brand with the existing Kubota LLC.

 

[houstonscott]

I do coolant every two years. Hours don't matter. Its how long the additives last and protect interior parts of engine, head and radiator.

HS

 

[number two]

What does this mean and what's your source of info for not using the "universal stuff" whatever that is and "prefered" by who?.

Hi JT.By preferred practice I mean most people in the vehicle maintenance field consider a two year change interval to be standard for conventional green coolant,as many of the posters have said.
Several types of long-life coolants are now being used in cars.GM has used Dexcool since 1995 with a typical change recommendation of 5 years /150,000 miles.Dexcool is Organic Acid Technology(OAT) and is considered by some to cause gasket failure in some applications-pink/orange in color.
Ford and Chrysler have used GO5 coolant since about 2001.GO5 is Hybird Organic Acid Technology(HOAT)tan/yellowish in color.
There is also "universal" coolant on the market as All Makes/All Models,usually with a long life service interval like Dexcool.Kind of a yellowish color that takes on the color of the coolant it's mixed with.
Many consider the universal to be unable to match the chemistry of three different coolants while some shops use it for simplicity and use it in everything.
There is also Fully Formulated Red Coolant used in trucks for long life with ocassional use of Supplemental Coolant Additives(SCA's)to continue the use of the coolant.Toyota has a red coolant considered by many to be similar to Dexcool (OAT).
Having said too much already,I do not wish to start a coolant debate war.Kubota uses conventional green coolant,It will cost no more than any universal type and be the correct coolant for a Kubota.Good Luck!