BCM Community

Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: Ed Hackenbruch on August 20, 2014, 11:22:52 AM

Title: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch on August 20, 2014, 11:22:52 AM
 Ok so our engine (8v71) is almost back together and it is time to start thinking about what brand of anti-freeze to put back in it. In the past i have used the DD power cool or whatever it is called. I am thinking since a lot of times we are a long ways from a DD dealer that maybe what i should do is switch to something that can be found almost anywhere.  Some auto parts stores are only regional or hard to find in remote areas but it seems like i can always find a Napa nearby. I Looked at the Napa Heavy-Duty brand and their Fleet Charge brand and it looks like they are about the same thing and the same price.  Any Opinons?   
Title: Re: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: luvrbus on August 20, 2014, 01:01:50 PM
 ;D what color are you wanting
Title: Re: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: brmax on August 20, 2014, 01:04:22 PM
Id like to have some fresh test strips for the yearly sca additives check,
Prestone extended life pre diluted is a choice I like and seems to be a mainstay everywhere. If I were bidding again it might be nudged byTexaco possibly.
Title: Re: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: luvrbus on August 20, 2014, 01:12:24 PM
Zerex green heavy duty sold at Napa and about everywhere else made by Valvoline would be my choice the pink stuff doesn't look good dripping on Alpine green  ::) you can buy it pre charged or plain
Title: Re: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: Dave5Cs on August 20, 2014, 01:29:22 PM
Ed, will you be UN-retiring now? :o
Title: Re: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch on August 20, 2014, 02:28:11 PM
Clifford, i am not a fan of pink anything!   Will take a look at the Zerex Green......is it Alpine Green?   :) 

Dave, i probably need to, and i probably should, but i don't want to and it will be to late in the season to get back on the out of work list and get a job this year so,......no!!!!!   ;D
                                                                                                           
Title: Re: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: luvrbus on August 20, 2014, 02:40:33 PM
You may get lucky getting out of the shop and can make burning man for a vacation just kidding  ::)
Title: Re: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: chessie4905 on August 20, 2014, 03:56:57 PM
   Don't forget to add Nalcool or equivalent to the coolant that you use.
Title: Re: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: luvrbus on August 20, 2014, 04:00:12 PM
You don't put anything in the precharged stuff Chessie
Title: Re: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: bronson on August 20, 2014, 05:00:15 PM
Thread caught my attention because I'm getting ready to change my antifreeze (1984 6v92). Checked Naps site found 4 choices for heavy duty, 3 are 50/50. Which one do you recommend Luvrbus ?
Title: Re: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: belfert on August 20, 2014, 05:09:19 PM
I believe I am using the ZRX ZXED1 coolant in my bus.  I paid closer to $19 a gallon from Napa.  It is red, but I like that it can go twice as long between changes based on years.  I'll never hit the mileage before I hit the years.
Title: Re: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: chessie4905 on August 20, 2014, 05:12:52 PM
Yes, you're right if what he uses is actually precharged.

Some reading about coolants:  http://www.truckinginfo.com/channel/aftermarket/article/story/2013/05/how-much-do-you-know-about-heavy-duty-coolants.aspx (http://www.truckinginfo.com/channel/aftermarket/article/story/2013/05/how-much-do-you-know-about-heavy-duty-coolants.aspx)
Title: Re: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: luvrbus on August 20, 2014, 05:31:07 PM
Gary if you have a FreightLiner truck dealer close, their house brand Alliance concentrate antifreeze in the green is good stuff sometimes they have a good sale too. I am not much on the 50/50 mix just for top offs it's ok you waste a lot of money IMO with the 50/50 mix 

There is no need for the designer color and long life stuff in your 92 any good heavy duty green will work fine just stay away from the junk at W/M the Prestone at Auto/Zone
Title: Re: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: bronson on August 20, 2014, 07:01:47 PM
Freightliner is an hour away. Will check there if I have to make a trip to Cincinnati. Napa's website is a little confusing. From checking the MSDS it appears the two that are full strength are zxed1 and zxpc1. From what I saw online, it appears Napa's picture for zxpc1 is incorrect and it is full strength but $10.99 a gallon seems to cheap for full strength. Valvoline's site wasn't much help. Is the zxed1 what I need ? If so how many gallons to do a complete change?
Title: Re: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: luvrbus on August 20, 2014, 07:52:57 PM
I buy the original formula of Zerex heavy duty in the white bottle with a green label surely Napa can order it, you are going to need close to 30 gals of the 50/50 if you have the bus heat,my 8 with the big radiators and bus heat with a 8v71 would take 30 gal of of a 50/50 mix if dry

I just bought a case of full strength here from Freightliner it was 12 bucks a gal so the 10 bucks maybe right price wise on sale come Dec it will probably cost 20 bucks a gal    ::)
Title: Re: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch on August 20, 2014, 08:33:54 PM
I checked my book to see how much i would need for my 5A and it said 30 &1/2 gallons. Napa has the Zerex Heavy Duty,  Auto Zone and O'Rielly's, (sp?) didn't.
Title: Re: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: luvrbus on August 20, 2014, 08:56:44 PM
 A 8v71 will take a couple of gals more than a 6v92 FWIW
Title: Re: Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!
Post by: Seangie on August 21, 2014, 05:05:01 PM
Ed - I used Shell Rotella ELC.  Never had a problem.

http://www.orangelineoil.com/products/Anti-Freeze/rotella-ultra-elc-concentrate-antifreeze (http://www.orangelineoil.com/products/Anti-Freeze/rotella-ultra-elc-concentrate-antifreeze)

-Sean