Best ELC coolant
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
Is the Shell ELC 50/50 that Chinamart now carries the stuff that we use? Up to this point I've been getting Zerex at Napa but that store is closed and the small one 10 miles away doesn't carry it. I don't want to buy a case for just a top off.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2014
Posts: 765
Likes: 5
From: Long Island, NY
I can only find the Rotella ELC concentrate that meets CAT-EC1 requirements. I can't find it in a 50/50 mix online or in my local store.
It would be easy to buy a 1 gallon concentrate bottle along with a gallon of distilled water and make a 50/50 mix.
edit: My bad. I can't find Shell ELC on walmart.com
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
Rotella "ultra" isn't EC-1 rated and is for sure not the best coolant for your 6.0. Rotella ELC is EC-1 rated and contains no silicates. I'm not sure how it stacks up against other brands but that's what I'm running in my own truck now. My local Tractor Supply store keeps it on the shelf for a decent price.
Tuned
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 302
Likes: 14
If I remember correctly, the Caterpillar EC1 is what International recommends for the 6.0 & I think it has no silicates unlike the other EC1 brands. It's been almost 4 years since I did mine 
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
I haven't read any recommendation from International for a brand name of coolant or even a type of coolant (CAT EC1 vs ELC) but I have read International's factory fill on the trucks with the VT365 engines was silicate free coolant.
ELC means Extended Life Coolant. It's extended life because it can safely stay in service much longer than the old green coolant we used to use. The older coolants are silicate based, meaning the primary effective component of the mix was a silicate. many ELC contain small amounts of silicate.
EC-1 is Catapillar's own specification number describing a coolant that among other things, does not contain silicates. Other manufactures are allowed to refer to this (CAT) spec on their packaging and literature. EC-1 coolant is referred to as an ELC because it also has a longer service life.
To put it another way, All EC-1 coolants are ELCs, but not all ELCs are EC-1 rated.
ELC means Extended Life Coolant. It's extended life because it can safely stay in service much longer than the old green coolant we used to use. The older coolants are silicate based, meaning the primary effective component of the mix was a silicate. many ELC contain small amounts of silicate.
EC-1 is Catapillar's own specification number describing a coolant that among other things, does not contain silicates. Other manufactures are allowed to refer to this (CAT) spec on their packaging and literature. EC-1 coolant is referred to as an ELC because it also has a longer service life.
To put it another way, All EC-1 coolants are ELCs, but not all ELCs are EC-1 rated.
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Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
I couldn't find the EC-1 rating on this bottle, but it was "rated" for 15+ cooling systems and good for 600K miles. It also had a red cap on the bottle. I'll do a little more checking on it. 50/50 is fine for topping off when I change thermostats, I was just concerned about the compatability. It's the first time Wally world has carried this, at least at this store. Actually the first time I've seen it, period.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 808
Likes: 3
This is what I had used.
I flushed with distilled water. 80 cents a gallon at wally world. Took me all day. I used restore in my chemical flush. A year later I was changing out my oil cooler.
When you flush be prepared to change out your oil cooler at some point.
I flushed with distilled water. 80 cents a gallon at wally world. Took me all day. I used restore in my chemical flush. A year later I was changing out my oil cooler.
When you flush be prepared to change out your oil cooler at some point.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
If it's the Rotella "ULTRA" it isn't EC-1 rated but to be honest I don't think it matters much especially just for topping off. I got a bit frustrated on the labeling of the Rotella stuff in the store and had to spend some time on my phone before getting the right answer. I don't know why but they seem to be making the labels confusing on purpose.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,828
Likes: 3,113
From: Jersey Shore
I've been using the Rotella ELC (non-untra) product. Initially I got it from our regional Shell distributor but now I get it from my local Tractor Supply as Rusty does. I'm now using it in all my diesels, truck, tractors, Chipper, .... this summer will convert over my GMC 2-stroke powered A-C Dozer. It's a good product.
I only get the concentrate. Since you can never remove all of the flushing water out of a block the only way to build up a true 50/50 concentration in the cooling system is to measure the final drop of water out of the cooling system and then from the stated capacity of the motors system calculate the added coolant and water you need to build up.
I only get the concentrate. Since you can never remove all of the flushing water out of a block the only way to build up a true 50/50 concentration in the cooling system is to measure the final drop of water out of the cooling system and then from the stated capacity of the motors system calculate the added coolant and water you need to build up.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,951
Likes: 512
From: Foothills, CA
I couldn't find the EC-1 rating on this bottle, but it was "rated" for 15+ cooling systems and good for 600K miles. It also had a red cap on the bottle. I'll do a little more checking on it. 50/50 is fine for topping off when I change thermostats, I was just concerned about the compatability. It's the first time Wally world has carried this, at least at this store. Actually the first time I've seen it, period.
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 15,368
Likes: 121
From: Stuttgart, Ar
If push came to shove, I'd use it. I have yet to see any ELC that isn't a HOAT or OAT and without silicates that claims anything close to 600K miles -- the "other" ELCs will be 100K maybe up to 150K. 600K to 1M miles is another league, the league we all want to be in...
Laughing Gas
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 5
From: Shreveport, LA
I've got 52k on my coolant now. I've been wondering what I should change to when the time comes. Thanks for the input guys. Sounds like Rotella ELC may be the way to go if it's the more readily available one.