DCA coolant additive required?

[Cobranut]

I have a 2000 BX2200 as well as a 1993 RV Generator which has the same engine.
Do these engines require coolant testing and diesel coolant additive to protect against cavitation damage?
I cannot find anything in the manual or online that recommends it.

Also, could these engines be flushed and converted to the Ford Extended life coolant (OAT) which does not need the additive?
I did this in my 2001 Ford PowerStroke and have had no problems, but I've heard that older engines may have incompatible gaskets and seals.

Thanks,
David

 

[dmanlyr]

I personaly use CAT ELC. I have not had incompatibility issues even with 25+ year old diesels.

When it comes time to change the coolant on the L3200, it will get switched over as well.

David

 

[texasgeezer]

I've been using Fleet Charge SCA (Tractor Supply & others)

http://www.peakauto.com/antifreeze-fleet_charge.shtml

From what I've read this is a DCA 4 type & is compatible with other DCA 4 such as CAT. Also, supposedly not compatible with pencool, dexcool type.

Cost is so low I just change it out periodically.

 

[Cobranut]

My main reason for my asking this is because DCA's eventually cause a buildup in the cooling system, which increases wear on the water pump and requires more frequent flushing to prevent damage.

If these engines do not NEED DCA in order to combat cavitation erosion then I'd much prefer to NOT have it in the system.

 

[Cobranut]

Thanks Vic,

One more question. Does the D905 engine in my 2000 BX2200, as well as the same model engine in my 1993 genset need this additive?
It is not mentioned in the owners manuals of either, so I'm thinking the answer is no.

Thanks,
David

Yep, Kubota has that product and it's not uncommon that it's used and needed, infact on certain models Kubota recommends that their 'Fur Inhibitor #11 or #20" be used in the cooling system once every three months, part# 10261-95320 and 10242-95322.

 

[texasgeezer]

Wondering about your comment that there is a buildup if using SCA's.

On the internet, I've seen may complaints about GM's Dexcool causing buildup & problems relating to that. My father-in-law had that buildup in an Oldsmobile. Haven't seen that complaint about DCA type.

I understand your hesitation to use it, but I believe if you review the benefits posted on the internet, you might want to start using it.

I did jump in a little early with bio-diesel. It appeared to provide some really good benefits for lubricity. I thought it was great until I had to pull a 60 gallon diesel tank on my dump truck to clean the 'silicon' type 1/3" slime layer that coated the bottom & pulgged my first fuel filter.

I'm faced with pulling another tank in the next few weeks to clean it also. I now think biodiesel is good if you will burn through it before algae starts to grow. Might also be good long term with an algae preventer but have never tried that.

But getting back to antifreeze.

The 'Fleet Charge SCA' DCA type has never caused a problem in the many years that I've used it. My old Range Rover had over 320,000 miles when I sold it, still running good, & never had any issues with the antifreeze. It did have pretty serious corrosion of the aluminum parts before I started using the DCA type.

In my experience the water pump appears to also be protected against cavitation damage.

My vehicles & equipment's cooling systems have always looked really 'clean' after I started using the DCA type. Started using it after a 7.3 Ford I purchased developed cavitation at about 100,000 miles.


The following link provides a preview of a book on modern diesel engines.
Good info, plus comments about antifreeze.

http://books.google.com/books?id=iJ...Q#v=onepage&q=dca problems antifreeze&f=false

These links provide more info on SCA's.

http://www.fleetchargeantifreeze.com/solution.htm
http://www.fleetchargeantifreeze.com/savetml.htm
http://www.fleetchargeantifreeze.com/fleetchrg_spec.htm
http://www.fleetchargeantifreeze.com/problems.htm combats these problems

http://flashoffroad.com/Maintenance/Cooling_system/Antifreeze/antifreeze.htm

http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/oil-fuel-lubricants/15715-dca-anti-freeze.html

http://www.imcool.com/articles/antifreeze-coolant/Antifreeze_Glossary.htm
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antifreeze-coolant/SCA-Part2.htm
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antifreeze-coolant/SCA-Part1.php
http://www.imcool.com/articles/antifreeze-coolant/PencoolVsFltGuard.htm

http://www.fleetguard.com/pdfs/product_lit/americas_brochures/SB_TB03-05-2.pdf ( this seems to say it is OK to mix most types)