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1. SCA. After searching around, I finally found what SCA ment, but not what an SCA is. I doubt it is Water Wetter, but I have no idea what bottle of stuff I need.
2. CDR. I found out what a CDR was and that I should clean it. I did and the CDR was clean as a whistle after 10 years of not even knowing it existed. I also have no "soup bowl." Could the no soup bowl mean the the CDR never functioned, stayed clean, and makes my new valve cover gaskets still leak?
3. Diesel Kleen. Found it, added it (a bit much until I filled the tank later). Should I pull the filter (it's newish), dump, refill with Diesel Kleen? I do occasionally use raw a little raw used vegetable oil.
It's interesting.... I've kept reading on here about guys saying to just use the long life coolant, and you don't need to worry about SCA's. I always figured that SCA's were designed to be somewhat sacrificial, and that they would require topping up over time. So, did a quick bit of googling....
Here's some info about SCA's, from one of the original manufacturer's of them. Fleetguard is part of the Cummins Filtration group now, and supplies a lot of OEM filters and so on to the heavy truck and equipment sector. Fleetguard Coolant Information
Also, compatability of their SCA products (I use DCA4, a pint bottle costs me $3.99? which is enough for 4 gallons, so a fresh fill on our trucks requires 2 bottles.) is covered HERE
So.....if there is someone on here that's been running long life antifreeze, do us a favour, and test it, to see if it needs more SCA added. You may also be doing yourself a favour.
Oh, for the record, I know a friend that had highway trucks use to test and record his, it had to be done for warranty purposes. His documentation covered him when a 60 series Detroit split a sleeve prematurely, as it was all documented on the maintenance history of the truck as to what had been done.
You would use something like Napacool ... But only if you are using an untreated coolant, like the standard green ... To test the coolant you use Test strips available at most truck part stores including Napa.
You would be better served to use something thats readily available for coolant, something that is designed for Diesels with the cavitation additives already.
the john deere cool gard 2 in my link also has said additive and is long life...... they also sell the additive and test strips cheap for the antifreeze
And it's only available at a JD dealer ... Why would someone want to run something that is not readily available is beyond me when there are products that are just as good and readily available.
actually that would be dependent on your location..... i have 5 john deere dealers within a 75 mile radius and one down the road in my hometown..... if you live anywhere in the midwest or anywhere there is any kind of agricultural business there is bound to be john deere somewhere nearby
Napa is the only place i know of around here that carries the proper antifreeze and that is about an hour away the origional poster didnt put his local on so i dunno about him
In my case, I just use regular old green 'Prestone' (available at almost any box store, parts store, wrecking yard, gas station and even some convenience stores) and use the DCA4 additive. If I happen to have to buy some to top up my system, I can get it anywhere, then a quick test, and pint or so of additive when I get home or whatever and I'm good to go!!
Long life coolant needs the SCA/DCA checked just like the propper coolant for these vehicles. But I don't know of a way to check the SCA/DCA level in the red stuff. I use green and DCA4 like was intended.
Yup, very true, carrying additive is not as important as using a coolant thats readily available.
The point is to be prepared so one does not have to contaminate their coolant forcing a complete change just for a minor hose blow and a couple gallons of coolant loss, additive is not a requirement, a motor will not cavitate in a mile or 10,000 ... It takes a lot longer then that.
What if your on vacation and traveling about the lands ... Gonna top it off with water, gonna leave the additive out, no your gonna want it fixed correctly so it doesn't keep ya freaked out!
If you're out in the boonies and you lose a hose, we'll so be it, now you'll have to do a complete change after toping off with river/pond/mud puddle water!
i carry a gallon of concentrate coolant so actually i have 2 gallons on hand, power steering fluid, brake fluid,1/2 gallon rotella, transmission fluid, and the differential oil in my tool box just in case.