Engine Coolant?

[Gary Hatt - Publisher BCM]

What is everyone using for Coolant for your bus engine?  What are you using for water; distilled or tap water?  Are you buying pre-mixed coolant or mixing your own with water.   Are you adding any additives, if so what?  What color coolant are you using?

It seems everyone, even diesel mechanics have different ideas about this.

Edit: Also, is there a difference between antifreeze used in gas engines vs. what is used in diesel engines?

[Bill Gerrie]

I have always bought DD Power cool comcentrate and use only distilled water with it. I have seen the results of cavitation where a hole was actually through the liner just like somebody had drilled it. My 6V92TA has wet liners so I don't want to risk having a cavitation issue. There price is competitive with other high quality antifreeze.

[lostagain]

6V92 (wet sleeves). DD Powercool mixed 50/50 with RO water. It doesn't have to be distilled, like in batteries. Water filter with DDA additives. Test once a year for PH balance and proper concentration of additives.

[Jim Blackwood]

That cavitation problem is a real thing. My brother had it happen on his S60. I think it was his first real maintenance issue after buying it new.

Jim

[luvrbus]

OWI,OAT, NOAT take your choice as long as it is Ethylene Glycol based OWI is usually purple OAT and Noat can be green or pink.OAT is more friendly for the environment it has no Nitrites,non Slicate so no drop out and no phosphate OAT is (organic acid technology) so you don't waste money on chemicals. Sometimes you save money with the 50.50 mix.The distilled water thing I don't use R/O water works for me too.Series 60 engine are a true wet liner engine not like the old 92 series that are just wet on the top for piston cooling so cavitation can be a problem. just buy a good HEAVY Duty not the green cheap stuff from Walmart or Autozone fwiw Cummins has had the best antifreeze for 40 years for 4 stroke engine they made their own.The Alliance the Freightliner house brand is the same antifreeze as the PowerCool sold by Detroit except it only comes in the green color now they stopped the OWI color both are made by Zerex     

[Melbo]

I use shell rotella ELC and distilled water.  I don't know that it is better or worse than anything else but it is RED.

Melbo

[chessie4905]

Walmart sells a house brand coolant now that meets the specifications for heavy Duty diesels.

[luvrbus]

Walmart sells a house brand coolant now that meets the specifications for heavy Duty diesels.

Gotta be careful with W/M brand antifreeze some is recycled

[Utahclaimjumper]

Peak Global OAT >>>Dan

[sledhead]

prestone heavy duty nitrite free extended life ( oat )

https://prestonecommand.com/products/heavy-duty-antifreeze-coolant/heavy-duty-nitrite-free-extended-life/

dave

[chessie4905]

I believe if recycled, would have to be listed on container, unless if it comes from China.

[belfert]

I use the Zerex Heavy Duty Extended Life antifreeze/coolant (concentrate not 50/50).  Part number ZXED1

NAPA has it as a monthly special this month for $12.99 normally $23.49.  I was thinking I would need to pay $23.49 and was happy to see the $12.99 price when I went to order a few days later.  I ordered a full case of six at that price even though I only needed three or four.

[dtcerrato]

Extended life Prestone off any shelf for 42 years w/o issue. Run additive in bypass filter. 70% concentrate for -60F in case we leave it in AK at summer's end...

[luvrbus]

Extended life Prestone off any shelf for 42 years w/o issue. Run additive in bypass filter. 70% concentrate for -60F in case we leave it in AK at summer's end...

The old 71 series gets by on about any type antifreeze,the series 60 is a different animal,I know this guy that has never used anything but the cheap antifreeze from W/M in his 6-71 for 20 years lol i keep telling him for 15 years that antifreeze is not good for his engine   

[tr206]

I use Final charge in my 7.3's and 8v92.

https://www.owi.com/commercial/resources/knowledge-center/videos

https://www.sinclairoil.com/sites/default/files/PEAK%20FINAL%20CHARGE%2050-50.pdf