Diesel Antifreeze

[BobCorazza]

I thought I was pretty squared away on maintenance fluids in general, but I read recently that diesel engines require antifreeze with nitrite to avoid cylinder wall damage from cavitation. Standard auto antifreeze (ie: Prestone) does not contain nitrite.
Does anyone use "diesel antifreeze" here?

 

[Deerlope]

I have used an additive in my diesel truck. There anti freeze out there now that has it already in it. My 02 F-250 diesel has a gold color anti freeze in it that is good for 100K without adding any additive.

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> Standard auto antifreeze (ie: Prestone) does not contain nitrite.</font>
Only diesels with wet liners need the special 'diesel' antifreeze. What antifreeze is recommended for a truck has no relation to what antifreeze should be used in a compact tractor.

<font color="blue"> but I read recently that diesel engines require antifreeze </font>
No offense meant, but where did you read this? What does your Owners Manual instruct you to use?

For example, in the New Holland line of compact tractors, you have to get up near 100 hp before the engines have wet liners. All that's recommended is a 50/50 blend of antifreeze and distilled water.

 

[BobCorazza]

All the manual states is to use "Permanent Type" antifreeze not to exceed 50% water dilution.
Assuming my L3410 does not have wet liners, I'll replace the antifreeze with the automotive Prestone.

I came across the nitrite in diesel coolant somewhere while reading about cooling systems in general... don't recall where.
Thanks for the info.

 

[F100Panel]

I've come across the issue on several boards. There was a Ford Diesel truck board that got into it pretty extensive.. made a believer out of me.. As a rule for $10 you can get the additive from a Ford Dealer. NAPA sells it too but I've had difficulty getting it there/counter help not really understanding what I'm asking for.... Now I just stop by the local Ford parts dept. & get it... For $10, why not? From what I've read, it can't hurt... If Ford catches you without the additive your warantee is void.. must be something to it...

 

[RickB]

It is important for parent bore diesels to use heavy duty antifreeze with a good DCA/SCA additive package, and use a supplimental coolant additive as needed. Some parent bore engines (Ford Basildon diesels) have as bad or worse reputation than any wet sleeved engine for cavitation erosion. Dry-sleeved engines seem to be far less problematic than the other designs. Not sure if I ever saw a 100HP compact, but the only wet-sleeved engines I know of in Ford or New Holland tractors are in the older 1910 and 2110 compacts, old FW Fords with Cummins 855's and the current TG and TJ series which start at 170 PTO HP. Admittedly I haven't seen any porous blocks in NH Compacts, but that does not keep me from recommending "heavy duty" antifreeze for ALL diesels. I feel it is a valid recommendation. Your mileage may vary.

 

[Indydirtfarmer]

Diesels with wet sleeves are proned to what's known as electraulisis. The anti-freeze turns "acid", and that, combined with bubbles (cavitation) erode the cylider sleeves. In time, the proccess will eat through the sleeve, allowing coolant into the crankcase or combustion chamber.

Several things may be done to prevent this from happening. One is to change coolant regularly. Another is to test the Ph level of the coolant. Most GOOD diesel shops will sell litmus test strips. Yet another is to use additives that are available from many sources to control the Ph level. Usually, those additives are also anti-cavitational additives also. I use a product from Fram in my John Deere 2440 (60 hp. 219 cu. in wet sleeve diesel) I have also added a "kit" available from Deere for the early 80's 4000 series (100+ HP) tractors. It is a coolant filter system. Keeping dirt particles out of the cooling system helps to eliminate electraulisis also.

Aslong as you follow the instructions in your owners manual, you probably need not worry about "nitrates", Cavitation", "electraulisis", or wet sleeve pitting".

 

[keeney]

You can also buy the anti-freeze with the additives already in it. Most farm-supply stores will have special anti-freezes designed for diesel use, and many will be labeled that they have "anti-cavitation" additives.

- Rick

 

[MMM]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( You can also buy the anti-freeze with the additives already in it. )</font>

Probably best bet. I work with Nalcool and other coolant conditioners. It can be overdone and send ph off scale the other way. End up with same result.

 

[MikePA]

<font color="blue"> You can also buy the anti-freeze with the additives already in it. </font>
Fleetguard works for me. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif I buy it at my local TSC.

 

[johnday]

If I'm not mistaken, you'll still have to check the levels of DCA once in a while. I don't know if these additives wear out, precipitate out or what. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gifBut I do know that they have to be replenished from time to time. Fleetgard for one, makes test strips for this purpose. I buy mine at the IHC "big" truck store. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Phred]

The guys are right about the wet liner issue. I bet very few guys on this site have wet liner diesels; therefore any old anitfreeze will work just fine.

You will see a lot of talk on ford diesel forums about cavitation and DCA, etc.. beacuse all the old 7.3 L V8 diesels, and power strokes are wet liners. They do need the aditives.

We had ths discussion before over in the blue zone:
Link

Bottom line is cheapo antifreeze and DI water is all you need for most diesels.

Fred

 

[Kc8ehd]

Use a brand name Hoat antifreeze ie. Zerex G-05 ,with Distilled water , this will protect wet sleeves as well as dissimilar metals within your cooling system. Checking coolant voltage is the best way to determine change Intervals

 

[R134a]

I thought I was pretty squared away on maintenance fluids in general, but I read recently that diesel engines require antifreeze with nitrite to avoid cylinder wall damage from cavitation. Standard auto antifreeze (ie: Prestone) does not contain nitrite.
Does anyone use "diesel antifreeze" here?

Prestone Command... comes in three different flavors...for heavy duty / diesel engines.

 

[oosik]

For Christ's sake - just use what your Owners Manual recommends and be done with it. Why all the smoke, mirrors and nonsensical confusing scenarios.

Wow!!! Was I flaming or what. My shoulder hurt like crazy at this point - I should have just let it slide. Apologies.

 

[RjCorazza]

I asked this question almost 14 years ago. The manual was not specific about antifreeze, simply called for “Permanent Type”.
Anyway, for the record, I ended up using HOAT coolant (Zerex G05).

 

[oosik]

Along with the many tasks we all face - cooling system maintenance/antifreeze change is just one more. I've gone to a long life antifreeze hoping to cut some of these tasks. View attachment 584663

 

[Turbys_1700]

Back when I had my F350 Powerstroke I used a regular (green) antifreeze and added SCA's. Back then the newer long life anti-freezes were not available. My current T4.75 has regular green antifreeze in it. When I flush it out in a few years I will go with the long life type. Just use the same color type that is in your system currently and use SCA's if it does not have them in it. It's not rocket science. If it was I would be in trouble.

 

[TractorGuy]

I went round and round with this decision a while back on my backhoe. It holds over 6 gallons so not a cheap venture. After reading everything in the manual and looking at available products I settled on the Peak Fleet Charge SCA Precharged. Rural King lists it for $10.99 and I got TS to match it. Bought 4 gallons of antifreeze and 8 gallons of distilled water. Flushed everything with the hose then drained and flushed with distilled then set the mix. I actually filled, drained, and refilled using a clean container until I got the mix in the tractor correct. I couldn't get all the water out because there isn't a block drain on mine.

 

[Kc8ehd]

After much debate and research , in my XR4040C parent bore engine , I have decided on Peak final charge extended life antifreeze. (Red)