radiator flush

[retired 2007]

hi everyone i have a bx2230 4 years old i need to flush the radiator . after i flush can i put in reg anti freeze (50/50 mix) or do i have to use kubota anti freeze
thanks for any input retired 2007

 

[zdieseldoc]

anti freeze is anti freez. i would buy full blend and mix the 50/50 yourself. or you are just paying for 1/2 water and 1/2 anti freeze

 

[SouthernConservative]

I completed a pressure flush (take a old rad cap and attach a air hose coupling and blow out any junk) in the Fall and then used Preston @ a 60-40 mix antifreez to water...but this is for Central Texas...not cold but HOT!

Be sure to check - retighted all hoses.

 

[MarkLeininger]

Don't forget to drain and refill overflow container. I bought antifreeze made for diesels at Walmart. I think it was made by Peak. Not sure what's different about it, but it wasn't any more expensive as I recall.

 

[pintodeluxe]

The Kubota manual calls for the P.T. or "Permanent" type antifreeze for Bx2230.

 

[DieselPower]

anti freeze is anti freez. i would buy full blend and mix the 50/50 yourself. or you are just paying for 1/2 water and 1/2 anti freeze

Antifreeze is not just antifreeze anymore. There are numerous different types and formulations.

Whichever type you choose to use, conventional or extended life make sure it is a heavy duty diesel rated coolant, not the normal automotive type antifreeze. Also, do not use tap water, it will plug up your cooling system over the years with hard water deposits. Get yourself a couple of gallons of steam distilled water from the grocery store. Cost me 99 cents a gallon around here for steam distilled water.

 

[retired 2007]

thanks for the information , had no idea that the there was anti freeze for diesels.
i have already changed and put in reg anti freeze should i re do with the diesel type?
also is tere a engine block drain? i serched my manuels but could not find any refrence. other than to drain the radiator and overflow?
thanks retired 2007

 

[MarkLeininger]

i have already changed and put in reg anti freeze should i re do with the diesel type?
also is tere a engine block drain? i serched my manuels but could not find any refrence. other than to drain the radiator and overflow?
thanks retired 2007

I'd change the antifreeze and put the correct stuff in. I use low compressed air pressure to force water through the system to drain block. Don't fill it all the way with a 50/50 mixture so you can measure the protection level after it runs for awhile and add some extra antifreeze if the water in the block dilutes it too much.

 

[Harvest Moon]

Seems this subject can be as complicated as you want to make it. Opinions vary from anything goes to special pre charged pre mixed diesel coolants.

You'll probably be fine with regular antifreeze. My manual, under coolant specifications say "Fresh clean water with Anti-freeze", that is should be ethylene glycol based, long life and not much else, except for an obscure note about making sure it's mixing ratio must be less than 50%. And I'd assume if it's not long life, it should be changed sooner. I don't have a BX though.

If your concerned, you may also be able to add an SCA (supplemental coolant additive) for diesels instead of starting over. From what I've gathered, SCA's appear to be used to extend the life of coolant and are added to ethylene glycol base for heavy duty diesel use.

I've been trying to figure this out for a while, this thread gets pretty detailed if you want to learn more: http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/oil-fuel-lubricants/121377-antifreeze-any-type-ok-8.html

 

[MarkLeininger]

You'll probably be fine with regular antifreeze.

I like everything in that sentence except the word "probably".

 

[sw03]

Harvest Moon is correct. Example, the book on my Bx24 is what he stated. There is no need to use diesel coolants, FW16 (wet sleeves etc)...

Most make this out way more complex then needed.

In my powerchoke I need it but a kubota is not the same.

 

[twarr1]

hi everyone i have a bx2230 4 years old i need to flush the radiator . after i flush can i put in reg anti freeze (50/50 mix) or do i have to use kubota anti freeze
thanks for any input retired 2007

It may depend on whether your engine has wet or dry liners. There's pretty much a consensus that wet liners are subject to cavitation corrosion, but there's some debate as to whether this is true for the dry liners. Cavitation is diesel engine phenomenon and doesn't apply to gasoline engines.
I change my coolant every two years, so I play it safe and pay a little more for the manufacturers coolant that is specifically formulated to guard against this issue. To me, the few dollars extra is $ well spent.
Dissolved solids in the water also contribute to cavitation, as well as being generally bad for the entire cooling system, so if you use the full strength coolant, consider mixing it with distilled water.
Years ago General Motors put out a film to stress how important sealing was on diesel engines. It was a high speed film of the cylinder head/block sealing surface and as the engine was running you could see the head deflect each time a cylinder fired. Reminded me of rapidly bending a saw blade. The entire head would ripple down its length as all the cylinders fired.

Below is a link to a site descibing cavitation...

Cavitation, scas and the proper maintenance of diesel engine cooling systems

 

[Deano]

My manual, under coolant specifications say "Fresh clean water with Anti-freeze", that is should be ethylene glycol based, long life and not much else, except for an obscure note about making sure it's mixing ratio must be less than 50%. [/url]

That is exactly what my manual states...

Deano

 

[bstrom]

jeez, I just got to say just use the specified Kubota antifreeze. What's a few extra bucks every two years on a 12 to 15 k machine or whatever it cost? Holy cow.

 

[sw03]

jeez, I just got to say just use the specified Kubota antifreeze. What's a few extra bucks every two years on a 12 to 15 k machine or whatever it cost? Holy cow.

Easy throw in the "oem filter, hyd fluid etc"...adds up here and not needed. Seems most are on the fear factor on not buying OEM..sad. Does kubota sell OEM air for the tires?

 

[Cat_Driver]

The reason I stay with most recommended fluid is that if anything ever goes wrong I have found even out of warranty some manufacturers will cut you some slack and perhaps extend a warranty even when it is out of warranty.
But when you try and save a buck all bets are off.

Also if there is a recall you are also covered using correct fluids etc, where if you don't that may affect a recall.

For me, saving a few buck going off the reservation is never worth it.

 

[sw03]

The reason I stay with most recommended fluid is that if anything ever goes wrong I have found even out of warranty some manufacturers will cut you some slack and perhaps extend a warranty even when it is out of warranty.
But when you try and save a buck all bets are off.

Also if there is a recall you are also covered using correct fluids etc, where if you don't that may affect a recall.

For me, saving a few buck going off the reservation is never worth it.

OKay, what is going to go wrong with a tractor? The "what ifs" "perhaps" is old news here...what if the world ended????

I will take the opp side and say I will save the "more then a few bucks" and use my money as I want".

I have seen car people go nuts with fluids they changed on a 40K car...hense, I do not put much faith in anyone.

 

[bstrom]

I'd rather spend a few more bucks on the specified fluids, protect the warranty, give my money to Kubota which makes a good product rather than Wally World. I'm just a dumb blue collar worker but I can afford a few more bucks for antifreeze every two years cause I'm no diesel expert and you can't believe all the BS you read on the internet. But that's just me and that's a whole 'nother can of worms.

I'm so stupid I'd rather give my money to my local hardware store guy than Wally World.

If I was really smart I would not have bought a tractor and just have my retired neighbor come over with his and probably do the work for free. I could have saved 17k or so and counting.

 

[GMtb42]

Has anyone used "Water Wetter" ? Red Line Synthetic Oil - Water Wetter® Coolant Additives , came across this stuff when I ran water cooling in my over-clocked computers .
Can see a significant change in the system's efficiency .

 

[Kubota 2350]

Does kubota sell OEM air for the tires?