The correct coolant for the Cummins absolutely DOES have SCAs.
They just don't seem to worry about keeping the PH levels correct.
They seem to think the possibily of a problem is low enough that just keeping fresh (correct) coolant in it is good enough.

 

Cat coolant also has SCA's in it.
And they give a specific drain and refill with fresh coolant interval.
The SCA level should stay within spec for that amount of time.

If you follow Cummins drain and change coolant schedule, the SCA level will be within spec for the engine.

A pickup however is usaully not maintained as well as a piece of equipment or a large truck would be.
So instead of changing the coolant, they just recommend checking the SCA level and maitaining the propper level of SCA, which is much cheaper to do.

If you read the articles I linked to, you also read that a low silicate coolant should be used.
Silicates are added to antifreeze to protect the aluminum engine components in cars.
Silicates are just extra stuff your engine or truck do not need, and may actually cause problems.

Green antifreeze contains silicates.

How many IDI trucks run green antifreeze?
Probably 90% of them.
How many should?
None of them.

Low silicate Heavy Duty coolant is what should be in the cooling system.
Ford has one, gold in color, then you add the FW 16 or VC 8 as it is now called as an SCA, which is the same thing as DCA 4.
I use Fleet Charge, purple in color.
Cat coolant is red.

All of the above coolants are DCA 4 formulations.

 

cummins needs the same additives , i have seen their liners pitted badly by cavitation
daves explination is correct the cylinder expands due to the high combustion pressure then retracts just as fast causing the bubbles ,and on some engines just the coolant flowing around the cylinder causes cavitation on the back side of the cylinder
i checked with parts and the new number for motorcraft is VC-8
IDI,s have an 8 gallon coolant capacity and require two bottles , 4 ounces per gallon

 

The big Cummins (semi) that have liners might get it but I have still never actually seen or heard of a documented case of the 5.9L (no liners) having this problem. Neither had Cummins themselves last time I checked. They don't claim to know why it just doesn't happen.

There's alot I don't know about this subject and the more I hear the more confused I get. But I know for SURE that one of the recommended coolants/antifreeze for my Cummins is NAPA's quality std. green coolant. It had green coolant in it when it was new, don't know what it was but it was as green as the stuff that's in it now.
I'm going to get some FleetCharge as I assume it's a Fleetgaurd product and I've always had great luck with it. Then run NAPA Kool as necessary since I already bought some and have the compatible test strips so I hope it works.
I've heard 10-15 different reasons for what causes this and they ALL sound plausible.

 

Fleetcharge is made by Old World Industries

This is the link at NAPA for the 50/50 prediluted

NAPAONLINE® Fleetcharge 50/50

This is the NAPA link for 100% non diluted.

Fleetcharge Full Strength

No need to add any SCA to this, it is precharged.

 

cavitation causes electrolysis , electrolysis causes corrosion thats why test strips are used to check the coolants PH level

 

The predilluted version sounds like an easy way to go.

Does it "wear-out", do you need to test it?
Will NAPA's test strips work with it?

Or do you just replace it at a certain interval instead?

Lots' questions.

 

You still need to check it.

Fleetcharge is a DCA 4 formulation.

NAPA also has the test strips.

 

Where are you guy's finding the Fleetgaurd brand, I am getting ready to flush my system and start all over, not sure even how long it's been even since I checked it.

 

How much does the fleetcharge cost at NAPA? They don't list prices.

 

Can't say what NAPA charges but at Tractor Supply I get it for right around $11 per gallon. That's for the undiluted bottle. I just bought 4 gallons yesterday and I believe that it cost right around $47 after tax. I also purchased 4 gallons of distilled water from Wally world for another few bucks.........so it's right around $50 to refill the system when all is said and done. Fleetcharge says that distilled water is not necessary because it has scale inhibitors but I've never been a fan of sticking a garden hose in any radiator. You can also buy it prediluted but it's less cost effective as you have to buy eight 1 gallon jugs at nearly the same price as the undiluted jugs cost.

 

If there's that much difference in price I can mix it myself. I always have 8-10 gallons of distilled water around for radiators and battery cell.

 

I assumed it was Fleetgaurd too but Dave says it's another company's product. Available at NAPA.

 

Fleetguard does have SCA precharged antifreeze.

But finding Fleetguard is a lot harder than finding Fleetcharge.

Cummins who has Fleetguard is 20 miles from my house.
I have three NAPA stores and a Tractor Supply within 8 miles that sell Fleetcharge.

Even better, there is a NAPA in almost every town around here, not to hard to find.

I always try to use products that I can find 7 days a week anywhere I go, you never know when something strange will happen.

 

NAPA's additive had always been Nowcool.

Dodge,

The reason that your B series motor in you Dodge doesn't have a catitation problem like other engines is because it is a parent bore block and fairly thick cylinder. That is why your bigger motors with wet liners are more prone to the problem. The liner flex allot more and the stroke is allot longer. I have seen several engines fail because liner had holes in them.



6.9's and 7.3's won't be as bad because of the block design but they do have higher cylinder pressures because of being an IDI motor. Guys that through smoke grinders on them can have a better chance for the problem because of higher cylinder pressures then a non turbo.



If you use a Nowcool or NAPAcool strip with DCA4 or DCA5 they won't check everything. Fleetguard has a couple extra things then the others. All the additives are basically the same thing and that is something that needs to be checked every six months or so. In theory you can put to much in. It could get to think and cause a hot spot on a cylinder because of lack of good heat transfer. Can't say that I have ever seen that happen though.

BTW DCA and SCA are the same thing. Diesel Coolant Additive and Supplemental Coolant Additive.

When you add additive drain some of you coolant and mix it in a bucket then pour it back in. You don't want to just pour it in the rad. It won't mix right. I don't change my coolant that often just keep up with the additives so thats how I do mine. Drain some off a pour it back in.