Yeah, it's the nitrite that provides cavitation protection. Good move checking your receipts; just saved yourself some $$$$$, just in time for the weekend....

 

I'm using Cool-Trak test strips.. what is the PH suppose to be mine is 7.5. and is there any other thing I should be watching on test strips.. the Glycol level is 60. This is the first time I have even done such a test.. please advise.

 

The 60 probably means a 60% concentration, which is good. Do those strips measure nitrite or molybdenum? If not, they're not really useful for a diesel. It's nitrite and molybdenum levels that provide cavitation protection.

 

I've always understood that a PH level of 10 was optimal for an engine coolant system. Your level of 7.5 sounds too acidic to me....

 

So sounds like I need to add some additive? How do I decide how much to put in at a time/

 

I have no idea

 

I'll see if I can get some additional information before I start trying to fix it. This is new to me so I want to tread slowly so as not to end up costing me a great deal. Thanks for the reply.

 

You have no way of knowing how much SCA to add until you get some test strips that test for it. As for pH, as far as I know, there's no additive that alkalinizes. If your coolant is acidic, I'm pretty sure that means it's just old and ready for replacement.

Just to clarify, pH has nothing to do with cavitation protection. Cavitation is not corrosion due to acidity.

 

Also, you have no control over the PH level of brand new coolant. It is what ever the manufacturer produces it as. I like to check the new jugs before pouring it into the engine, and then run it. Earlier I said 7.5 seemed too acidic, but if your coolant is new, and the product tested 7.5 before you put it in the system, then I'd call it good and run it. The important thing with these trucks is the nitrite level.

 

I have read the only way to increase PH level is to increase concentration. Other than that a change is needed. Still waiting response from Prestone rep. on this issue.

 

I went to O'Reillys today to buy asCA test strips and they had never heard of them. Guess I'll have to pick them up on line.

 

I got same answer fro O'Reillys. Had to go online to get them. There isn't a big truck shop around here anywhere for me to ask. closest one is 125miles one way. Figure whatever I need to do will wait until the strips get here.

 

 

Guess he didn't know how to look it up or they just didn't have it.

 

You'd need to find out EXACTLY what brand/type of test strips those are. The pic isn't helpful at all, and the description specifically does NOT mention nitrite or moly tests.