Cooling system balancing

[David Anderson]

I just read all 5 pages of Jim's thread about "diesel antifreeze" and have a concern about system balancing.  I figured I'd start a new thread on the subject.

I use the Fleetguard precharged pink stuff that Stewart and Stevenson sells.  I'm about 3 years from my last drain and change.  I've added some here and there when I've had some loss changing hoses, temp senders, etc.  When you get the test sticks and check, and depending on what the tests show, what do you ask for at the parts counter to balance the system?  I use non SCA charged filters from NAPA.  I'm do for a look at mine to make sure all is good.

David  

[John316]

David,

We took a sample, and sent it in to the lab for them to look at (it wasn't very expensive). After that we maintain it with test strips. With sending it in to the lab, then we could start with a clean slate. We also use the pink stuff, and it works well for us. Biggest thing is maintaining it.

But that is just our way.

God bless,

John

[rv_safetyman]

Hi David.  Well, hopefully, this thread will go better.  

You really have two choices.  They have bottles of SCAs that can be added.  The other option is to start using the filters with SCA charge.  

Recall that SCAs are sacrificial and get depleted with time.  That is their job.  So, the fact that you have lost some fluid is probably not the issue.  It sounds like you replaced the lost quantity with new fluid that had the SCAs, so you are probably not too far behind.

The issue is how much too add if you use the fluid rather than the filter.  The test strips only give you rough guidance on concentration.   The reading that I did suggests that too much concentration is not good either.  As I mentioned in the other thread, you could have your antifreeze analyzed and that would give you better guidance on how much to add.

You had to buy several test strips in one container (hope you bought fresh ones).  I would add one bottle of SCA additive and check the level again after your next trip.  You can keep that process going until you get the level you need.

As I did my reading, the manufacturers made it sound pretty "dire" if you were too high or too low.  Gut feeling the acceptable range is pretty wide.  However, I would still try to keep the level as close to ideal as is reasonable.

Jim

[rv_safetyman]

I was posting the same time as John.  He also recommended the lab analysis

I always favor a lab analysis when you are kind of lost on the balance.  In addition to the information on the SCA components, it also gives you a good reading on other metals and compounds in the antifreeze.  Some of those can give you a bit of a measure on the health of your engine (much like an oil analysis).  My report was a bit confusing to me, so I called the lab and they really helped me work my way through the data.

Jim