How often do you change your antifreeze?

[R & D]

Just wondering what most of you do

[Rob & Cathy]

I do what it calls for in the owners manual.

Rob

[campswithcritters]

Haven't kept a truck long enough for it to be an issue for several years. And I am serious.
With a diesel it is important to have it tested for DCA level from time to time (I get it tested annually). They say that cavitation by a lack of that additive can cause serious engine damage.

[Chief409]

I'm doing the same as Rob, following the factory service instructions. AND starting on the next oil change (20k miles), an oil analysis. The 6.0 Ford diesels have a history of internal coolant leaks, the 6.4 diesels don't have the same history of internal leaks as they are a completely different engine, but ...

[bigbunkhouse]

I test every year and replace when needed

[teallen]

By the manual and whenever the dealer feels it is necessary.

[Rob & Cathy]

Dayna, you guys getting close to a coolant change?

Rob

[R & D]

Roy is going to have it tested.

[Rob & Cathy]

Come on, the truck has served you well give it a fresh drink instead of sloshing around that old stuff.

Rob

[Olbird]

They have test strips that check coolant SCA / DCA levels, I have seen lees than five year old emergency Diesel engines at work need new blocks due to having low SCA / DCA levels. We now test coolant every year, the engines only ran every week for 30 mins. to test, the blocks had pitting around the cylinders and starting leaking coolant into the oil.

How to Protect your Diesel!
Supplemental Coolant Additives (SCA's) are important to ensure long diesel engine life. Their primary function is to protect the cylinder wall from cavitation erosion (pitting). Secondarily, they bolster the anti-corrosion additives in antifreeze. The purpose of SCA is to prevent cavitation erosion of the cylinder lines. The additive concentration should be checked every 4 months to assure that it is properly maintained. If the coolant system develops a leak that requires additional coolant to be added, the SCA concentration level should be checked and DCA-4 added as required to maintain the 1.5 to 3.0 units per gallon level.

Most all new coolants have a additive in the product but I have found it best to check the protection levels by testing.

[campswithcritters]

They have test strips that check coolant SCA / DCA levels, I have seen lees than five year old emergency Diesel engines at work need new blocks due to having low SCA / DCA levels. We now test coolant every year, the engines only ran every week for 30 mins. to test, the blocks had pitting around the cylinders and starting leaking coolant into the oil.

How to Protect your Diesel!
Supplemental Coolant Additives (SCA's) are important to ensure long diesel engine life. Their primary function is to protect the cylinder wall from cavitation erosion (pitting). Secondarily, they bolster the anti-corrosion additives in antifreeze. The purpose of SCA is to prevent cavitation erosion of the cylinder lines. The additive concentration should be checked every 4 months to assure that it is properly maintained. If the coolant system develops a leak that requires additional coolant to be added, the SCA concentration level should be checked and DCA-4 added as required to maintain the 1.5 to 3.0 units per gallon level.

Most all new coolants have a additive in the product but I have found it best to check the protection levels by testing.

Thanks George for getting more into the technical side of what I was trying to get across. Guess after your post I will start checking twice a year at least. Not testing could be the pits!

[Olbird]

I do not want everyone to think this is a big problem, I am just saying check the system once in a while and use a good coolant that you know contains SCA's.
Summary :
Supplemental Coolant Additives (SCAs) are great weapons in the war against premature cooling system failure. They are absolutely necessary in, and required by manufacturers of, heavy diesel engines and some light diesels. Anything bigger than a car is a candidate. You use 1 pint to 4 gallons to start a system, and then "as needed" based on testing after that. A new kind of antifreeze called "fully formulated" antifreeze does not require a pre-charge of SCA because it is already built-in. Test the coolant every 3 to 6 months. Systems that leak a lot or run around the clock may need closer supervision. Ask a QUALIFIED technician at the engine OEM service department for specific recommendations for your engine, get the OEM’s coolant guide.

[R & D]

Thanks George! Now that's what I'm talkin about!

[WVcampers]

You can purchase the test strips at NAPA or any local diesel repair shop. It is something that anyone can do. There is no reason to pay to have the testing done. The additive can also be purchased from NAPA. The 7.3 Fords are more likely to have cavitation erosion than most others. Ford recommended adding it every 15,000 miles to the 7.3 if you do not want to test the coolant. I have seen 7.3 Fords with 50,000 miles that had to have a new block due to cylinder walls pitting.

[Travelers]

I had the dealer test it every other oil change. That way I had a record IF a problem occurred after warranty.
I will do the same on the new truck. Which I really like.