Kajtek1 <!-- BEGIN TEMPLATE: postbit_onlinestatus --> Ouch!!!!!

 

I disagree if I understand you correctly.. When using Green coolant, there is no need for SCA ? According to Ford Engineering, they say to use it.. The engine is too expensive to take the chance on not using the SCA additive IMO.. You should start a new topic on the subject to see what the gang thinks here on the forum about not using SCA with Green coolant.. I copied the following from our diesel 7.3L owners supplement: I quote:

"Checking coolant level:
Check coolant level in coolant reservoir bottle at least once a month,
only when the engine is cool. Fill to within the “Cold Fill Level” range
noted on the reservoir as required with a 50/50 mixture of coolant
concentrate and water.
A coolant mixture of 50% coolant concentrate and 50% water is
recommended to maintain best overall performance. A 60/40 antifreeze
to water ratio is acceptable for extremely cold climates, but must be
returned to a 50/50 ratio at the end of the winter season.
Vehicles with diesel engines typically are used to carry heavy loads and
accumulate mileage rapidly. These two factors cause the additives in the
General maintenance information
28
coolant to “wear out” in a shorter time. Ford recommends an interim
service interval performed at 12 months or 24 000 km (15 000 miles),
whichever occurs first. Add 237–295 ml (8–10 oz.) of supplemental
coolant additive FW-15 to the cooling system. For vehicles with extensive
idling time, add 237–295 ml (8–10 oz.) of coolant additive FW-15 after
every 500 hours of operation.
Operating engine with insufficient coolant and/or coolant additive can
cause severe engine damage."

 

This IS a warning sign. Fix this immediately, you are very close to a pump failure. Ask me how I know.

 

You should NEVER skimp on the FW-16 additive. One of the purposes is to keep the protection from erosion and cavitation active. Cavitation happens when a bubble is formed on the cast iron surface due to localized pressure changes which cause the liquid coolant to rapidly switch to vapor phase, then suddenly collapse returing to liquid phase. This rapid bubble collapse can actually erode the cylinder walls and create pinhole leaks. As far as I know the FW-16 additive functions as a chemical coating on the "jacket" which is used similar to a sacrificial anode in the sense that the coating is worn away instead of the cylinder wall.

 

I don't agree with this at all.

Cast iron cylinder walls can have cavitation just like wet-liners can, and need prevention chemicals too, for all the same reasons.

The chemistry you use may be different from what others use, but we all better be using something (whether we know it or not).

Pop

 

Sure cast iron walls are subject to cavitation, but it would take +- 100 years at the thickness to create a problem.
take legendary Mercedes diesels that run for million miles on green stuff and nobody checks the SCA on them.
I do own older Detroit diesel with wet sleeves and not only have filter with chem pack replenishing SCA balancing stuff while I drive, but testing SCA is recommended twice a year. Since testing strips can run for $5 it is not cheap procedure.
Per quoted Ford manual -they recommend adding SCA balancing pack at the time of coolant change, but don't require any checking.

 

I didnt know if yall would be interested in reading this on cavitation.. I hope posting a link is ok... Its kinda interesting on a hammered fuel kinda level...

Diesel Technician Society

 

i did replace the pump but all the ford places were closed and all i could get was the green stuff. so i called the ford dealer about getting the red.

 

You did notice that the site is using Caterpillar wet sleeve to show problem on Ford, didn't you?

 

Did you notice the 2 pictures below the piston pack? the middle one is a 7.3L the second is a 6.4L.

 

Glad to see my photos being used around the forum.

I was still under the impression that even Ford recommends monitoring the SCA levels in our trucks.

 

Yes the top pic is a CAT the others are Ford motors...It was in reference to cavitation in general.....My point was it does happen and is a problem....

 

Is it? Never heard about it and never heard about PS owners monitoring their SCA.
And again. -SCA issue in unheard between Mercedes diesel owners.

 

You're new to this forum, aren't you?

You'd have done well to "do a search" before writing the above.

I keep a vial of strips in my truck's "kit", test regularly, and send a sample off to Polaris Labs every couple of years.

To me, it's money well-spent for peace-of-mind, and cheap "insurance".

Your Mercedes experience is of little consequence here, and I believe you may be leading other newcomers astray with your advice.

But, this is the Internet, and everybody is entitled to their opinion....

... and that's mine.

Pop

 

I just love dispute where conclusions are draw on personal opinions and personal opinions only.
Good for you Pop that you take your time and spend money on the insurance.
But let's talk the facts:
-is the SCA monitoring required by Ford? NOT
-is proper balancing of SCA on new coolant required? NOT (Ford just require to add a shoot of SCA and forget it)
-do we have records about PS blocks lost due to cavitation? Never have heard about it.
And you are right that Mercedes diesels running without SCA additives are not fair comparison here.
Will PS make 1 or 2 million miles without taking cover off - that we can start comparing.
BTW why aren't you using filter with SCA pack in it Pop?