L3400 coolant change

[canoetrpr]

Going to finally get my 150 hr service done this weekend after fixing that oil pan tonight.

I realized that the coolant needs to be changed on a time basis rather than hrs. My tractor is 3 years old and I hadn't changed it yet. I don't have my manual with me but I'd like to pick up the coolant etc. on my way home.

Anyone know if this is just the run of the mill ethelene glycol that the tractor needs? I think that the auto stores sell ethelene glycol and propalene glycol I think.

Do you know if I have to mix this with distilled water - or will my tap water from my well do me fine?

 

[Altex]

You may have already gotten home and found out. Just in case you haven't, my owner's manual just says "Fresh Clean Water with Antifreeze" under lubricant specs, so run of the mill should be fine.

 

[number two]

I personally use conventional green ethylene glycol 50/50 with distilled water,changed every year or two.If you have much lime in your water,it will deposit on your radiator tubes,clogging them over time.For a few extra dollars,you can buy premixed 50/50 coolant using de-ionized water,at major retailors or auto parts stores.There is a thread going this week in the Oil,Fuel,Lubricants Section by fieldserviceengineer that goes into this in detail.You do not need the the the fully formulated,extended life truck product for your tractor.

 

[canoetrpr]

I never did stop by on the way home from work yesterday. Figured I might as well get home in time to see the kids go to bed instead.

I'll step out today.

I think that a pre-mix with de-ionized water sounds like a good idea.

 

[teg]

Need to put that on my to-do list, also... thanks for the reminder...

 

[Harvest Moon]

Me too, I'm up for my 200 hour change soon and I bet that anti-freeze has been in there since my tractor was built, pretty sure, in 2005. Too bad I bought it new in Dec. 2006. Won't do that again.

 

[Altex]

Hey Y'all, "Number two" is right! There's a great discussion going on under "Oil, Fuel & Lubricants ". Look at the topic "Antifreeze- is any type OK?"

There's some great info from "fieldserviceengineer" and this subject as he stated "...happens to be an area of expertise for me as I am a field service engineer for a division of Cummins"

And here's another great link from 3RRL about changing/flushing your cooling system (including pics):
http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/chinese-tractors/101921-kama-554-radiator-maintenance-mods.html

I'm now a believer in using anti-cavitation antifreeze for wet sleeve diesel engines. But first, flushing out your system from 3RRL's link.

 

[canoetrpr]

Got it all flushed out with some Prestone flush and filled up with the pre-mixed stuff.

I'll go and read Rob's thread now and learn what I really should have been done

I'm sure my tractor will be thanking me for the change. It's been 3 years now and I simply missed the coolant change because I've only been looking at what I need to do every X hrs.

 

[GeneSchultz]

Does anyone know why the Kubota owners manual says "When the antifreeze is mixed with water, the antifreeze mixing ratio must be less than 50%"? What is wrong with a stronger mixing ratio?

 

[canoetrpr]

Wow! I just went and read that thread in the "Oil, Lubricants ..." section and I am lost. I followed the manual and flushed the radiator with a Prestone flush and then filled with pre-mixed Motomaster stuff.

I'm going to take a vague guess that my engine will not self destruct while I leave this stuff in there for a year or two. Next time I might consider going to something that is formulated with anti-cavitation stuff.

Anyone have any other suggestions? I'm guessing I'm not the only guy in the world running just what the manual suggests which is 'Permanent type' antifreeze.