Brad & Jacolyn Posted April 15, 2018 Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 Good Morning everyone, I was getting ready to move the other day and while doing my fluid checks I said to myself, self, (that's what I call me when talking to my self), I wonder if anti freeze wears out and needs to be replaced? So my question is this. I had the cooling system flushed and refilled with Delco ELC 50/50 (it is red) in Oct 2011 and nothing has been added since. What kind of maintenance should I be doing to the cooling system? Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billr Posted April 15, 2018 Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 SCA test and can put additive in if needed. No need to dump the fluid too often. Also there’s a filter in the system. Have read to keep same type coolant as original Green or red. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickeieio Posted April 15, 2018 Report Share Posted April 15, 2018 3 hours ago, billr said: Have read to keep same type coolant as original Green or red. Oh the colors...... Just today, grandson and I were servicing his mom's car. While the hood was up, I "helped" him check some things. The coolant level was low, not even showing in the overflow tank. I had him check the owner's manual, and it sez to use "Motorcraft" orange anti-freeze. So, I had him google it. I had red, purple, green, and yellow in stock, but no orange. Fortunately, I have a jug of Dex-cool at the house for the vette, so we'll top off with that. Yes, it's the same. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billr Posted April 16, 2018 Report Share Posted April 16, 2018 6 hours ago, rickeieio said: Oh the colors...... Just today, grandson and I were servicing his mom's car. While the hood was up, I "helped" him check some things. The coolant level was low, not even showing in the overflow tank. I had him check the owner's manual, and it sez to use "Motorcraft" orange anti-freeze. So, I had him google it. I had red, purple, green, and yellow in stock, but no orange. Fortunately, I have a jug of Dex-cool at the house for the vette, so we'll top off with that. Yes, it's the same. LOL 😂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted April 16, 2018 Report Share Posted April 16, 2018 The absolute worst thing you can do is choose coolant by color. There is a major article in the Resource Guide about coolant, Diesel Coolant, http://www.hhrvresource.com/node/131 But since you mentioned Red, which is probably Extended Life oolant, SCA is not a measure for ELC coolant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenandjon Posted April 16, 2018 Report Share Posted April 16, 2018 I was told by the service manager at Mack that you can interchange all the colors EXCEPT GREEN. This information came straight from their supplier. Red, orange, pink, yellow,whatever are all interchangeable. Green has to stay green. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beyerjf Posted April 16, 2018 Report Share Posted April 16, 2018 Mark is right. Very misunderstood how important the correct coolant and the balance of additives is to a diesel engine with removable liners. Indeed important to any engine these days. I have religiously used Powercool, the Detroit Diesel brand antifreeze available only at Detroit Diesel in my series 60 since new and never a moments problem. If you are not sure what is in there, consider flushing the system according to manufacturers recommendations and put exactly what they recommend. Put a huge waterproof tag next to the filler warning anyone that their hands will be removed if they don't check with you first. For that reason I NEVER let Speedco or any other service facility touch the fluids. Brad has already done the right thing. Test the antifreeze with a test strip which will tell you the condition of the additive package and the protection level. If those are good, no need to change anything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad & Jacolyn Posted April 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2018 I have read everything that was posted and I'm slightly confused. I have ELC anti freeze that is over 6 years old. I have driven about 70,000 miles since it was flushed and filled. Should I be adding a can for extender or how do I know when it is shot and needs to be completely replaced. Brad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moresmoke Posted April 16, 2018 Report Share Posted April 16, 2018 1 hour ago, Brad & Jacolyn said: I have read everything that was posted and I'm slightly confused. I have ELC anti freeze that is over 6 years old. I have driven about 70,000 miles since it was flushed and filled. Should I be adding a can for extender or how do I know when it is shot and needs to be completely replaced. Brad The additives deplete over time, and faster when the engine is at operating temperature. The only way to know is with the proper test strip for the coolant you are using. This is especially true in aplications like most of us have with irregular use. Something like a genset that runs almost 24/7 you could probably predict pretty close, but not with irregular use. You also don't want to add more additive than you need as it can precipitate out and foul your cooling system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad & Jacolyn Posted April 16, 2018 Author Report Share Posted April 16, 2018 I thought that test strips were not used with extended life coolant. Are these strips available at auto parts stores? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SKP038620 Posted April 16, 2018 Report Share Posted April 16, 2018 I change my coolant in my 466 lopro every 7 years and at the same time flush and change my brake fluid at the same interval. Not in the book from International but personal experience with my truck. Keep safe . Jim S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beyerjf Posted April 16, 2018 Report Share Posted April 16, 2018 Usually the test strips are available at engine dealers Detroit Diesel- Cummins - Cat. Your Volvo dealer should have some, or can order them. I have asked and have been amazed at the blank stare I get sometimes. And the strips have an expiration date on them, make sure they are still good. Regular auto parts dealers won't know what you are talking about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billr Posted April 17, 2018 Report Share Posted April 17, 2018 Sorry if I misled anyone on the Color remark. I was meaning to say stick with what the Manufacturer spec was. My old truck was the standard Green Glycol. Test every year for SCA. Only once needed the additive. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scrap Posted April 17, 2018 Report Share Posted April 17, 2018 OAT Test strips for ELC coolant: https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/PARAFC240 http://prestone.com/command/products/test-strips.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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