Test strip confusion....
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Joined: Oct 2010
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Test strip confusion....
So i recently bought my first diesel 1993 f350 7.3 idi. Heard that some guys are using Napa test strips part #4106, so i bought some. now after further reading online i think i may have purchased the wrong ones. The problem is i do not know what kind of coolant or supplemental coolant additive may have been used in the past. I have read that the Napa brand only tests for certain SCA's. So what should i do now? i used 3 test strips and the test revealed that it needed a "recharge" due to the nitrite levels and recommended 1 pint to 4 gallons. Any advise/direction would be greatly appreciated. Also how many gallons does the cooling system hold?
Thank you,
Thank you,
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,282
Likes: 4
From: Oregon
Drain, flush and refill if you don't know what's in there. I just went with 4 Gallons of unmixed coolant, 4 gallons of distilled water, and 2 bottles of NAPA Kool (#4056). Strips read it's right where it needs to be now.
A lot of folks on here go with the pre-mixed long life diesel coolant (John Deere, IH, etc). Search 'coolant' in here and you'll find more info than you'll ever need to know.
A lot of folks on here go with the pre-mixed long life diesel coolant (John Deere, IH, etc). Search 'coolant' in here and you'll find more info than you'll ever need to know.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,528
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From: Peterborough, Ontario
A little trick if you are using fresh stuff all around, add the SCA you wish to use, then 4 gallons of antifreeze, then the water last. That way if you are full before adding all the water you have a stronger mix rather than a weaker one.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 20,396
Likes: 866
From: Mi'kma'ki
Drain, flush and refill if you don't know what's in there. I just went with 4 Gallons of unmixed coolant, 4 gallons of distilled water, and 2 bottles of NAPA Kool (#4056). Strips read it's right where it needs to be now.
A lot of folks on here go with the pre-mixed long life diesel coolant (John Deere, IH, etc). Search 'coolant' in here and you'll find more info than you'll ever need to know.
A lot of folks on here go with the pre-mixed long life diesel coolant (John Deere, IH, etc). Search 'coolant' in here and you'll find more info than you'll ever need to know.
since you don't know what's in there for coolant.don't risk it.
what are the odd's the previous owner didn't have a clue of diesels and just went to the parts store and bought regular antifreeze instead of low silicate? pretty high.
though you do see SCA's are present which is a good sign.
but who knows if they where added to standard coolant?
best thing is to just flush it.
this is what i did,since i just didn't know.
now i know the proper stuff is in there.
i went to NAPA and got this:
Fleet Charge Specifications Sheet
since this is premixed using DCA4 SCA,s i'll be using the fords or cummins additive to replenish it with.
(wouldn't want to mix in NAPA KOOL with this coolants SCA's for example.)
many good coolants to go with though.just don't mix match SCA's.
i like the straight low silicate + napa kool idea too.thats easy to get a hold of and maintain.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,232
Likes: 149
From: Higginsville, MO
drain flush and refill as everyone else has said.... i use the john deere coolant. there is a link to my signature.
the one that says cool gard in it is the one
the one that says cool gard in it is the one
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Elk City, OK
What they tell us is that with the shell extended life coolant is that when you add it the sca levels are good for 300,000 miles in the rigs.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,528
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From: Peterborough, Ontario
Who is 'they'? Personally, if one understands that the SCA is a chemical that is 'sacrificial' designed to be broken down instead of the cylinder walls, that you won't believe any of these claims. There's no way to test whether a coolant or additive is doing as it should for the average folks, all we can do is test to see if there is enough additive in the system.
Personally, I'll just add SCA every few months for $5 or so, and know things are good.
Personally, I'll just add SCA every few months for $5 or so, and know things are good.
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