How to calculate the amount of SCA/DCA needed.

[fieldserviceengineer]

Guys,

I will not argue on this. But as the main coolant service engineer for Fleetguard, I can assure you that what I state is chapter and verse of engine company recommendations on treating cooling systems with DCA or similar additives. If you like the test and add method and you keep the SCA level at a decent level....bless you and glad it is working. If you test and add just enough to make it into the green zone, watch out!

I recall International several years ago cutting that document about using their method of add per the test strips. As to a letter from Fleetguard, it did not come from Service Engineering, likely came from a marketing and sales person who (in our company) usually is clueless about technical subjects.

 

[fieldserviceengineer]

Here is an excerpt for Cummins QSC8.3L industrial engines on Coolant Maintenance from the Maintenance Schedule. Read down to the ag engines and note: 500 hours or 6 months on coolant maintenance.

 

[Sully2]

I dont know how old that PDF file is but 2 things I did notice:

Drain the coolant every 2 years.. I use Fleetguard Complete and by adding their "extender" it NEVER has to be changed unless the phosphate level gets out of whack.

And also change the "coolant filter". On many of the new Cummins engines there IS NO coolant filter ( its an empty can is all) and DCA/SCA is controlled by the addition of FleetGuards chemicals

 

[fieldserviceengineer]

I dont know how old that PDF file is but 2 things I did notice:

Drain the coolant every 2 years.. I use Fleetguard Complete and by adding their "extender" it NEVER has to be changed unless the phosphate level gets out of whack.

And also change the "coolant filter". On many of the new Cummins engines there IS NO coolant filter ( its an empty can is all) and DCA/SCA is controlled by the addition of FleetGuards chemicals

Close but not quite accurate, Sully. Not many Cummins but two models do not have coolant filters, all B5.9L including ISB, QSB as well as latest ISB 6.7 automotive engine and ISL 9L models. C8.3 found in many ag machines and ISC have a coolant filter. Originally, when Cummins ships engines to OEMs they are equipped with a maintenance size filter with DCA4. The Application Engineering group informs the OEM what the coolant requirements are for the engine in question. As for that Maintenance Schedule, it is the latest publication for C, ISC, and ISL engines. On the ISL engines, Cummins informs the OEM builder that a coolant filter should be installed leaving them to purchase a remote head and plumbing to make that happen. If coolant filters are not used, no harm as performing service with liquid is acceptable to Cummins. All engine companies have some maintenance schedule that states coolant life and change internvals. I certainly agree that use of Fleetguard ES Compleat can have a much longer service life than Cummins recommends. But still, engine companies have maximum change intervals based on the coolant products that they prefer. Caterpillar is an example of having change intervals based on coolant product they sell or find acceptable.

 

[Sully2]

ISB engines in motorhomes dont have a filter..because Cummins says that DCA/SCA isnt needed at all. ISC engines..again in motorhomes...USED TO HAVE a coolant filter..(my own ISC does) but ISC's built in the last 2 ( or maybe 3??) years dont have....and there isnt a single ISL engine in any motorhome that has one.

I wont argue the point further because you are the "engineeer"..but I know what I see and have called Cummins enough times about different items that Im almost on a first name basis!

 

[shakin]

can someone please fill in the blanks i have no idea what you guys are talking about, and i starting to think that i might need to know. i own a cummins and my tractor has a mitsubishi. am i the only one who does not know what they are talking about? what is sca/dca?

 

[fieldserviceengineer]

can someone please fill in the blanks i have no idea what you guys are talking about, and i starting to think that i might need to know. i own a cummins and my tractor has a mitsubishi. am i the only one who does not know what they are talking about? what is sca/dca?

The terminology of SCA is Supplemental Coolant Additive. Since one company, Fleetguard, makes these coolant additives under the trade name of DCA4 or DCA2, the generic term has become DCA. What these chemicals do in your engine cooling system is to provide protection against cylinder wall cavitation pitting failures. When a diesel engine runs it produces cylinder wall vibrations from combustion and piston slap. These vibrations produce minute movement of the cylinder wall that cause vacuum bubbles to form in the coolant. These bubbles implode (like explode but inward, not outward) against the cylinder wall surface with forces measured at 20,000 PSI. Sufficient force to break out tiny pieces of the cast iron eventually leading to coolant getting into the oil through a perforation. Engine rebuild is the only option then. Use of SCA or DCA creates a tough oxide film on the surface of the cylinder wall (coolant side). The testing of the dissolved SCA level is an indirect means of determining the level of cavitation resistance your coolant has. Even with these additives, the phenomenon of cavitation is taking place. The difference is the hard oxide coating that takes the "blast" of implosion. If you test the coolant and find the SCA level decreasing, you have a strong indication that the cavitation phenomenon is active in your engine. If your Cummins is a B5.9L or QSB (24 valve with Electronic Control Module, ECM) you have no reason for concern regarding cavitation damage. As an employee of Cummins, I work with Mid Range Service (B, C, & L). Only the B engines are immune. C and ISL engines do have cavitation and must have coolants that contain SCA and also require periodic replacement of the coolant filter or use of a liquid SCA additive.

 

[shakin]

not sure what my engine is it's a 99 24 valve 53 series block. do i need to worry about this on my tractor motor it's a mitsubishi s4l?

 

[fieldserviceengineer]

not sure what my engine is it's a 99 24 valve 53 series block. do i need to worry about this on my tractor motor it's a mitsubishi s4l?

Not sure about that block number business but I read on a website for Dodge Cummins engines of that block number as realated to some casting issues. I am certain you have a QSB 5.9L. Does it have individual valve covers instead of one long valve cover? QSB and ISB per Cummins do not require the use of SCA treatment in the coolant. If your tractor operation and maintenance manual has a scheduled coolant service, follow their instructions as they warrant the tractor/engine, not Cummins. That same engine in Dodge pickups does not require the use of SCA treated coolants. However, if you desire to use that type of coolant, do so. It will make the coolant much more robustly formulated and increase the coolant's service life.

 

[shakin]

one big valve cover.