Coolant capicity?
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Houston, TX
Somebody that actually still has their owner's manual will be along shortly but I used one bottle of additive the last time I changed the water pump and flushed the system and that was enough to get the test strips to read right.
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From: South Dakota
8 gallons completely drained. When I replaced the o-ring for the inlet pipe to the waterpump I drained the degas tank and radiator and it took 4 gallons to refill it. I use the test trips to make sure I have the proper amount of SCA in the system.
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Elder User
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From: Bay Area, CA
Originally Posted by Midway_FUBAR
For those not willing to do the math, that's 8 gallons standard or 8.5 gallons with aux. heater... Basically, you need 32 oz of coolant additive.
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
If you have completely drained/flushed the coolant system it will need 3-4 pints, but if you're only maintaining the levels already there it probably will only need 1 pint, and may not need any. Overcharging the SCA's can be as hard on it as not having enough...you really need to test it. The proper Fleetguard test strips can be purchased at any Ford dealer.
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Junior User
Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Houston, TX
Scott, are you sure about your numbers? That would be 48-64 ounces of additive or 3-4 bottles... Maybe you were thinking of cups instead of pints...
1 cup = 8 ounces
1 pint = 2 cups
I agree that the best thing to do is get some of the test strips. I have the advantage of having my oil changed at a local truck stop that has the test strips available. I think they charge me an extra $2 to test the SCA level in my coolant... I don't know what the Ford price for the strips is...
I don't think I have ever had to add any to my cooling system unless there was a problem and I had a major leak like when my water pump went out.
1 cup = 8 ounces
1 pint = 2 cups
I agree that the best thing to do is get some of the test strips. I have the advantage of having my oil changed at a local truck stop that has the test strips available. I think they charge me an extra $2 to test the SCA level in my coolant... I don't know what the Ford price for the strips is...
I don't think I have ever had to add any to my cooling system unless there was a problem and I had a major leak like when my water pump went out.
Last edited by Midway_FUBAR; Sep 22, 2005 at 09:55 PM.
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
Originally Posted by Midway_FUBAR
Scott, are you sure about your numbers?
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From: Houston, TX
Originally Posted by cookie88
According to the data on the test strip packaging the optimum SCA level is 1.5 to 3.0 units per gallon
I was going by the SCA bottle's recommendation of 4 oz. per gallon. It does mention that some engine manufacturer's recommendations could be different.
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Elder User
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From: Bay Area, CA
Well I found some test strips at the local Cummins dealer, No one else had them....Including ford. It testes at 2.2, so I'm going to add some additive, but here comes the fuzzy area. How much do I add? the whole pint?
Also, A few people Ive talked to, said all diesel motors need have this additive, but my buddy has a Duramax, and he says he doesnt need it. He laughed at how hard the strips are to find, and I honestly had to agree. Does he need the additive and just not know it? Thanks for all the help guys
Also, A few people Ive talked to, said all diesel motors need have this additive, but my buddy has a Duramax, and he says he doesnt need it. He laughed at how hard the strips are to find, and I honestly had to agree. Does he need the additive and just not know it? Thanks for all the help guys
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Joined: Oct 2004
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From: South Dakota
I don't know about duramax, however this is from the cummins website:
Do I need to use a coolant additive in my Dodge Ram?
We do not recommend an additive for the Cummins engine used in the Dodge Ram. Coolant additives are used to protect liners from cavitation and since the engine in the Dodge Turbo Diesel has no liners, it does not require an additive.
Do I need to use a coolant additive in my Dodge Ram?
We do not recommend an additive for the Cummins engine used in the Dodge Ram. Coolant additives are used to protect liners from cavitation and since the engine in the Dodge Turbo Diesel has no liners, it does not require an additive.
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From: Cabot, Arkansas
You are still good at 2.2, no need to add any at this point. One pint will put you at 2.8 which is also good.
I've seen pictures of some pretty serious cavitation damage in a Cummins, so I don't believe they are immune.
IMO the newer diesels don't need the additive because of the improvements in the coolant.
I've seen pictures of some pretty serious cavitation damage in a Cummins, so I don't believe they are immune.
IMO the newer diesels don't need the additive because of the improvements in the coolant.