Yahoo Message Number: 63932 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/63932)
Still looking for some input as to a preferred brand of ethylene glycol (obviously the heavy duty diesel type) to change out my antifreeze.
Also looking for some idea of the required quantity for a simple drain, flush, refill - don't want to go back again and again to the supply house.
And yes, I have checked via test strips often, added DCA as required, and changed the coolant filter with every oil change.
Jim Brown
2002 Allure 30778 (36 ft)
Yahoo Message Number: 63942 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/63942)
Fleetguard and Shell Rotella are two reputable brands. I have used both.
Nate Richards
04 Allure 31043
Yahoo Message Number: 63943 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/63943)
Jim,
Myself and other of my CC friends changed to a product called FINAL CHARGE. After complete drain of your present coolant you also change to a non-chemical water filter made by Fleetguard.
Final Charge requires no testing or added extender until 300,000 miles, don't think you'll get there.
I purchased Final Charge at O'Reilly Auto Parts store for $9.99 per gallon.
Thanks, Mike 03 Allure 1st Ave. #30898
Yahoo Message Number: 63951 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/63951)
Fleetguard ES Compleat PG (Compleat is not a typo) is what the factory was using and intended to last the life of the coach - according to CC techs. 150,000 miles, 4000 hours life. An "Extender" can be added at 150,000 miles and test strips are available. You might have this in your coach, mine was built earyl 2004 and does. Not sure what adding DCA to it would do the lifespan.
http://www.fleetguard.com/pdfs/product_lit/americas_brochures/LT15070.pdf (http://www.fleetguard.com/pdfs/product_lit/americas_brochures/LT15070.pdf)
Propylene glycol is preferred today in part because it is not poisonous to us and pets/animals and works as well or better than EG. It is available in either EG or PG formulations.
Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178
Yahoo Message Number: 63953 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/63953)
Mike's mention of the filter reminds me of how you can tell if your coach came with the Fleetguard ES Compleat - it won't have a coolant filter.
The Final Charge has twice the ratings of the Fleetguard products - as noted doubt we'll drive that many miles so I'd go with what is easiest and cheapest to get.
Final charge also has a product to convert your current coolant to their specs - that is there is no need to drain and replace your current coolant provided it meets the freeze point specs.
Coolants have changed so much over the last 10 years it makes this old goat wonder about the "If it's too good to be true...." axiom. Amazing improvements.
Bob (rthandren@...)
'05 Inspire 51178
Yahoo Message Number: 63957 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/63957)
Another old goat chiming in - I am with you Bob. I see "lifetime filters", "change oil every xxxxxxx miles", "lifetime lube" in some of the newer transmissions - gives me the willies. I change oil in my old Toyota (228,000 miles) with dino oil every six thousand miles, along with filter, and the oil pressure is still over 40 PSI. My transmission gets a top off every year (drain out about six quarts, and replace). New technology is wonderful, and as long as the people telling me to do something will warranty the machine, I am all over it.
My comfort level in the coach is yearly changes of oil (plus filters) in engine and generator, test strips for coolant, and greased. I don't drive much, so time is the determining issue, and probably falls into "recreational maintenance" even then. Oil is cheap, bearings are NOT.
I could go to an oil analysis, like I did on my old Bonanza, but that might be overkill since I am going to change it yearly at worst.
Jack Nichols, 2003 Intrigue 11527
Yahoo Message Number: 63960 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/63960)
Bob, There is always mention of Freeze Point testing of the Coolant, but not enough on the testing of Ph, Chloride & Sulfates, I can't speak to the Final Charge Convert Product if it can bring Ph, Chloride & Sulfate into spec. I just decided to do the complete change out.
I purchased 13 gallons of Final Charge @ $130.00 and the non-chemical filter from Fleetguard was under $50.00 can't remember.
Thanks, Mike 03 Allure 1st Ave #30898
Yahoo Message Number: 63964 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/63964)
Mike,
I would appreciate you posting the fleetguard number of the blank coolant filter if you have it handy.
Thanks
George in Birmingham
'04 Allure 31038
Yahoo Message Number: 63965 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/63965)
Jim,
Do you have a part number for the filter?
Don
98 Intrigue 10678
Yahoo Message Number: 63990 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/63990)
Don,
The coolant filter for my 2000 Intrigue with ISC engine is listed in the engine manual as:
WF2077 for plain filter without any DCA additive.
If you need one with DCA then it will depend on how much additive you want the filter to have.
The initial fill filter called for in my application is WF-2074 which has 12 units of DCA4.
You will need to test your system using the test strips to determine which filter to use if you are going to use an anti-freeze which requires DCA. If you are going to final charge then you would use the WF2077 filter which doesn't have the DCA additive.
Ray
2000 Intrigue 11040
Yahoo Message Number: 63991 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/63991)
George,
This link might be helpful to you.
http://www.dieselmanor.com/fleetguard/WF2077.asp (http://www.dieselmanor.com/fleetguard/WF2077.asp)
Ray
2000 Intrigue 11040
Yahoo Message Number: 64007 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/64007)
Thanks Ray.
George in Birmingham
'04 Allure 31038
Yahoo Message Number: 64110 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/64110)
I just cam from3 O'reillys and they did not know anything about a product called Final Charge. They did have a product called Extended Life Universal Formulation. What Am I missing?
Don 98 I(ntrigue 10678
Yahoo Message Number: 64128 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/64128)
Don,
You might go to this web site and print it out and just take it to your local parts store and show them a picture of Final Charge.
http://www.fleetchargeantifreeze.com/finalchargepress.htm (http://www.fleetchargeantifreeze.com/finalchargepress.htm)
Ray
2000 Intrigue 11040
Yahoo Message Number: 64139 (http://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/Country-Coach-Owners/conversations/messages/64139)
Ray & Don, when I purchased my 13 Gallons from O'Reilly, I had to have them look it up on the computer and as well call their Distribution Center in Dallas.
The O'Reilly Part Number is #FXA-0B3, they carry both Concentrate and the Pre-Mix, I'm not sure which this part number is, I used Pre-Mix as it was easier than trying to use the concentrate. Concentrate is cheaper.
They had in stock and shipped to the local store overnight. No freight charge as it came in with other store goods.
Thanks, Mike 03 Allure 1st. Ave #30898