Coolant additive
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,965
Likes: 1
From: H-town, MN
Coolant additive
I was wondering what exactly the coolant additive does. I am in the middle of replacing h20 pump and need to refill. I talked to a person at NAPA and he told me a lot of people are using a ROYAL PURPLE additive. Not sure if it is the same or not. Any info would be greatly appreciated! 
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 9,965
Likes: 1
From: H-town, MN
Does anyone know or have input? Please! Would it help if I said I need my truck running by this weekend to pickup swing set for my son (guilt should be setting in about now, HAHA)
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 17,988
Likes: 207
From: La La Land
It's an anti-cavitation additive to prevent diesel cavitation erosion. Google that.
I use PenCool 3000 and have very good reports from Polaris Labs.
Ford dealers have the factory-specified additive, as well. Most truck stops will have PenCool, which is the BTE-compatable stuff, but there is also PenCool 2000, which is a different formulation.
Most folks here will advise you to just switch to a more permanent, ELC-type coolant.
If you didn't get it into your engine for a Saturday's drive, it's not going to kill anything. Just don't forget it and let it go too long without it, as it will allow the coolant to etch pinholes through your cylinder walls!
REALLY not a good thing!!!
Pop
I use PenCool 3000 and have very good reports from Polaris Labs.
Ford dealers have the factory-specified additive, as well. Most truck stops will have PenCool, which is the BTE-compatable stuff, but there is also PenCool 2000, which is a different formulation.
Most folks here will advise you to just switch to a more permanent, ELC-type coolant.
If you didn't get it into your engine for a Saturday's drive, it's not going to kill anything. Just don't forget it and let it go too long without it, as it will allow the coolant to etch pinholes through your cylinder walls!
REALLY not a good thing!!!
Pop
Last edited by SpringerPop; Jun 27, 2007 at 11:44 AM.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
Originally Posted by jvoigt
if you use the coolant test strips, what do you look for to tell if you need to add the DCA additive?
Where the molybdate level intersects the nitrite level determines the sca units in your fluid. Then you add enough sca to bring the level into the green area, if the sca level is low. Here are the commendations from Fleetguard:
Below 1.2 units per gallon: add 1 pint of DCA4 per 4 gallons of coolant
1.2 to 3.0 units per gallon: everything is cool, just keep going
Above 3.0 units per gallon: keep driving until concentration falls below 3.0 units per gallon.
Last edited by nlemerise; Jun 27, 2007 at 01:59 PM.
Trending Topics
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,119
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton, MT
Ok!, My Ford Dealership parts guy "Did Not" have any idea what I was talking about when I asked for the coolant test strips and DCA additive, so I got the white bottle from nappa(WIX) that has about 300 test strips in it lol.
I still really dont understand that pic but I will read to you what my results were and maybe some one can explain to me if my coolant is in need of the DCA additive. The strips had three blocks, the first was the Nitrite indicator( mine read in the "Ideal" range 1200 ppm). Second block was for freeze point(Mine was dark which ment -60*F), Third and last was the pH block(mine read in the 8.0 range).
Does that mean my coolant is ok on the additive level?
I still really dont understand that pic but I will read to you what my results were and maybe some one can explain to me if my coolant is in need of the DCA additive. The strips had three blocks, the first was the Nitrite indicator( mine read in the "Ideal" range 1200 ppm). Second block was for freeze point(Mine was dark which ment -60*F), Third and last was the pH block(mine read in the 8.0 range).
Does that mean my coolant is ok on the additive level?
Last edited by jvoigt; Jun 27, 2007 at 03:38 PM. Reason: spelling
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 4,243
Likes: 16
From: AZ
Originally Posted by jvoigt
Ok!, My Ford Dealership parts guy "Did Not" have any idea what I was talking about when I asked for the coolant test strips and DCA additive, so I got the white bottle from nappa(WIX) that has about 300 test strips in it lol.
I still really dont understand that pic but I will read to you what my results were and maybe some one can explain to me if my coolant is in need of the DCA additive. The strips had three blocks, the first was the Nitrite indicator( mine read in the "Ideal" range 1200 ppm). Second block was for freeze point(Mine was dark which ment -60*F), Third and last was the pH block(Mine read mine read in the 8.0 range.
Does that mean my coolant is ok on the additive level?
I still really dont understand that pic but I will read to you what my results were and maybe some one can explain to me if my coolant is in need of the DCA additive. The strips had three blocks, the first was the Nitrite indicator( mine read in the "Ideal" range 1200 ppm). Second block was for freeze point(Mine was dark which ment -60*F), Third and last was the pH block(Mine read mine read in the 8.0 range.
Does that mean my coolant is ok on the additive level?
Now, there is no way to use the chart I gave earlier, because the Fleetguard strips test molybdate, not pH and then uses those nitrites and molybdates to determine sca level. Your test strips must use nitrites and pH to determine sca levels. But your nitrite would be just about right (it could go as high as 2400 ppm and still be alright and maybe as low as 1000 ppm and still be alright.
Here is a good read on coolants and sca:
http://www.diesel-central.com/News/coolant.htm
Last edited by nlemerise; Jun 27, 2007 at 03:38 PM.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
twom7
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
32
Oct 5, 2012 02:57 PM
