I purchased a Detroit Diesel antifreeze that has the SCA added and it states that it meets Ford spec ESEM97B44-A. When I opened one of the jugs it was red in color. Im changing/flushing the system in a 99 PSD with the green coolant. The Freightliner dealer I bought it from said many PSD owners are using this product. I assume it is ok but you know what ASSume means!!. Is this ok to use?

Thanks for any info!
Bill W.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 17-Jun-02 AT 04:26 PM (EST)]You may want to look on page 2, topic #1444, dated 22 May 02, titled "FW-16 ADDITIVE." Response #13 by The Diesel Dude is most likely the best advise we are going to get. I also was wondering the same question. Good luck and if you decide to use the red stuff, keep us posted on your results.

I just noticed that you are the same Bill that Authored the topic #1444 above, so you have already seen the post.

 

We are using the OAT coolant (red) in our International engines so I doubt there is any problem with the engine (gaskets, seals, etc.) The problem, as I see it is the fact that most vehicles have plastic tanks on the radiator and heater cores that are sealed by O-rings. Unless these O-rings are compatable with the red stuff you could be in for some trouble. The yellow stuff that Ford is now using is an ethylene glycol based product which presumably means it is full of silicates (those ornry buggers that sand paper your seals to death). The red stuff is silicate free, as I understant it, which probably means it is a better product. I've been advised that to play it safe, you should use what ever came with the truck and if you use the red stuff in a Ford application, it is at your own peril.

 

Thanks for the help guys! It seems antifreeze in any Diesel is a problimatic issue. I used to be able to buy Prestone heavy duty antifreeze (black bottle, green coolant) that is silicate free and has SCA's added. I cant find it around here anymore. I would like to use the red stuff but as Joe says it may be a problem. Maybe I well get brave and try it and see if my seals turn to mush then we well all know not to use this .

 

You can use plain Zerex and Quaker State antifreeze in your rig also.

Les

 

Les, is the Zerex and Quaker State low silicate?
Bill W.