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Coolant top off

Yahoo Message Number: 67007
The coolant is low on my 1999 Magna with a CAT C10 engine. What type of coolant should I use to top it off? I bought 2 gallons each of Fleet Charge and distilled water. Is this OK?

Re: Coolant top off

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67008
Quote from: BetterThanWho"

> The coolant is low on my 1999 Magna with a CAT C10 engine. What type of coolant should I use to top it off? I bought 2 gallons each of Fleet Charge and distilled water. Is this OK? >
Also, I'm not sure exactly what kind of coolant I have in there now, but I think it was green in color. The Fleet Charge is pink. Is that an indicator of anything?

Re: Coolant top off

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67015
Jim, your question suggests your coolant is 12 years old. Correct or has it been changed/checked??? Nevertheless, if it over 6 years old, I feel its time for a flush and new coolant.
If its at least over 6 years old IMHO you ought to take it to a CAT Service Center for a complete flush and addition of CAT ELC, which can get you 6 years of service. If you are a CAT Club member you'll get a 10% discount at the CAT Service Center.

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Lee Zaborowski

07 Intrigue 12153, Cat C-13

Re: Coolant top off

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67024
Lee,

I'm not the original owner of the coach so I don't know the service history. Based on what I do know about the history, it is not the original coolant. I like your idea of taking it to a CAT service center and having it flushed. Maybe they do some other engine checks/services while it was there. Do you know if any good ones that are familiar with Country Coaches? I am in southern California right now.
In the mean time, the automatic engine shutoff is invoking due to low coolant level. I need to add something just to get the coach moving again. I'm hesitant to add the Fleet Charge and distilled water till I know it's ok. Of course this happens over a holiday weekend when I can't get a hold of any service places. Any help would be appreciated.

Jim

Re: Coolant top off

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67025
Test strips are made to tell you were your pH level is on the anti-freeze. About the only way to find out what shape it is in. If the pH level checks o.k., the least you may want to do is to change the coolant system filter. It has stuff in it to keep the system healthy. Not unusual for the coolant system to require a little additional filling. At least that seems the case. A once over the check for leaks is a real good ideal. Your Cat dealer can check the pH and change the filter and more if needed. Most anti-freeze now will mix with just about anything else.

Leonard

97' Magna 5418

Re: Coolant top off

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67027
Get some premixed coolant at a truck stop rather than concentrated and bothering to mix it yourself with DW. Some CC's had polypropylene glycol (pink and hard to find sometimes) and others the more common ethylene glycol (blue). The pink stuff is supposedly non toxic. In any case their physical properties are, I believe, identical in terms of freeze protection and cooling and they are miscible (can be mixed). In other words it doesn't make any difference which you use.

Jim M

'02 Intrigue #11410 ISL 400

Re: Coolant top off

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67030
Jim, Ernie's advice is good. Add distilled water and get to a CAT Service Center in your area, which I'm not familiar with. Go to the CATERPILLAR website for listings.

Best wishes,
Lee
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Lee Zaborowski

07 Intrigue 12153, Cat C-13

Re: Coolant top off

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67032
Jim

Colton Truck Terminal in Colton Ca is excellent.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348 C-9

Re: Coolant top off

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67033
Lee and Jim, even though you can add some distilled water, in Jim's case, being in soCal, he has plenty of time to make arrangements at a Cat service facility. Time is not of the utmost.

Ernie Ekberg, Cayucos, Ca-- sometimes all I add is distilled. sometimes to me, sometimes to the radiator~ Weatherford, Tx 76086
817-475-3991
www.ernieekbergflooring.net

Re: Coolant top off

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67036
Jim, in that case I suggest there is no chance of doing harm by adding some distilled water to the expansion tank. With probably a minimum of 12 gallons of coolant the additional gallon or so of water will do no harm to get you going. That will give you time to plan an approach for a flush and fill.
I have done precisely this with an SOB that I had some years ago. When cold weather hit, the volume of coolant shrunk with the cold to where it was inadequate to meet the minimum level requirement. I added a gallon of water and all my problems were solved.

Good luck.

George in Birmingham
'04 Allure 31038
George in Birmingham
2003 Magna 6298
 

Re: Coolant top off

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 67072
If its Red its Cat ELC. Dont mix. Get a test sprip from cat and or have it checked by a Pro. Dont mess around if you not sure! Ken Retired Cat Tech! 99 Allure 30356