Anti-Feeze......again!!!!!

[Ed Hackenbruch]

 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?   

[luvrbus]

  what color are you wanting

[brmax]

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.

[luvrbus]

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

[Dave5Cs]

Ed, will you be UN-retiring now?

[Ed Hackenbruch]

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!!!!!   
                                                                                                           

[luvrbus]

You may get lucky getting out of the shop and can make burning man for a vacation just kidding 

[chessie4905]

   Don't forget to add Nalcool or equivalent to the coolant that you use.

[luvrbus]

You don't put anything in the precharged stuff Chessie

[bronson]

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 ?

[belfert]

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.

[chessie4905]

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

[luvrbus]

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

[bronson]

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?

[luvrbus]

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