WalMart Antifreeze

[rumplecat]

Someone had a post a week or so ago saying their is a special anti-freeze for HD Diesel engines? Since the 543 had every drop of fluid removed when I picked it up, the anti-freeze is brand new! Can I add the missing component or do I have to drain and start over???
James G.

 

[JDToumanian]

I would just get the additive - it's called "Supplemental Cooling Additive" or just "SCA", and it's available at any heavy truck parts place or at dealerships like Cat/Cummins/Detroit/International, etc. There are test strips for checking that the level is correct, and it's a good idea to check a few times a year as the additives "go away" over time and need to be replenished every so often.

The "special coolants" that were referred to (like the Chevron DELO I use, or the Texaco coolant that Bjorn uses, or the Cummins coolant that Will uses) are simply coolant that already has the SCAs mixed in... which is, as far as I know, the only thing that makes those brands different from WalMart, Prestone, Peak, etc.

Regards,
Jon

 

[WillWagner]

Just make sure you get one that is compatable with aluminum and add the SCA.

 

[Pinkie]

In all the diesel motors we run, we buy the cheapest antifreeze from where ever and add the SCAs to it. Never had a moments problem.

 

[ken]

I bought some wal-mart antifreeze. It looked like urine when i poured it into the rad. So i went back to peek. It was still green. Where do ya'll get the SCA's? And are there different brands?

 

[timntrucks]

i need to check mine, to see if its ok, tell me where can i get this additive and the test strips piease Tim

 

[Pinkie]

I use Napa Kool SCA additive, any local Napa will have it. Directions are on the bottle on how to mix the ratio.

 

[cranetruck]

Coolant test strips here:
http://www.kimdon.com/aquachek/cooltrak.htm

 

[houdel]

I bought some wal-mart antifreeze. It looked like urine when i poured it into the rad. So i went back to peek. It was still green. Where do ya'll get the SCA's? And are there different brands?

Yes, there are different SCA packages - at least two that I am aware of, and they are NOT compatible. And the test strips are SPECIFIC to the SCA additive package, so make sure you get your SCA and test strips from the same source and they are compatible with each other!