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Antifreeze - Propylene Glycol or Ethylene Glyc...

Yahoo Message Number: 5449
Fred,

I have a 2002 Intrigue 400 ISL # 11451 and it came from the factory new with green glycol, and that is what the dealer says to use. Any comments??????????????? Gary

Re: Antifreeze - Propylene Glycol or Ethylene Glyc...

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5451
Hi Gary,

First I would read the operator and users guide manuals, get the part number for the coolant and verify with Country Coach Parts what it is.
Your Cummins may not have wet sleeves requiring the DCA additives but I doubt it. You might call Cummins with your engine model number and serial number and see what they say. Whether it's propolene or ethylene doesn't make much difference - both our toxic to the environment. I like blue because it is a flag that you don't add car antifreeze for any reason.
Fred Kovol

Re: Antifreeze - Propylene Glycol or Ethylene Glycol

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5453
Gary;

As was explained to me by the service manager at Beggs RV, color is just incidental and really doesn't mean anything. The manufacturer can make either Propylene Glycol or Ethylene Glycol in any color they want. The thing that is confusing to me is that the MSDS sheets for both PG and EG from Fleetguard say they are both BLUE in color.
Country Coach has told me in writing 2 times that I have PG, so that's what I'm using to top off my tank. What scares me is that they said "If you have blue, it is PG". I now know that is not true based on the Fleetguard website. Both PG and EG come in BLUE! I hope and pray that I don't have problems because of using the wrong type.

Robert

Re: Antifreeze - Propylene Glycol or Ethylene Glyc...

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5455
Gary,

My 02 Allure also came with green. I recently changed it out with Zerex HD, green, EG that you can get at any Auto Parts store. The Cummins manual says it must meet or exceed ASTMD4985 or TMC standards and the Zerex does that. The color really doesn't matter as long as it is the same formula when topping off as is in your system. We have used the Zerex for many years in our trucks with good success. Don't forget the DCA levels.. Or you can go with Cummins Complete and remove many unnecessary extra dollars from your money clip!

Good luck..

Tom 02 Allure 30780

Re: Antifreeze - Propylene Glycol or Ethylene Glyc...

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5456
Hi Folks,

So here is what I have learned.
1. Don't mix ethylene with propylene.
Note: I added a one gal tank to catch the over flow from the surge tank - haven't had to top off since.
2. There is the inexpensive approach to coolant but be sure to check the DCA levels and change the water filter when required by using either the test strip or changing the filter every 6 months.
3. You can use Cummins Compleat put it's more expensive.
Note: Just bought 6 gal at $10.36 per gal for for Compleat concentrate.
4. Replace coolant every 2 years doing a baking soda wash.
Thanks for all the responses - I learned something, Fred Kovol

Re: Antifreeze - Propylene Glycol or Ethylene Glyc...

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5457
I'm still looking for someone to enlighten me on the DCA level. DCA? What the......? How to test? Larry
Intrigue
10762

Re: Antifreeze - Propylene Glycol or Ethylene Glyc...

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5460
Larry,

Some of the Cummins have wet liners, mine is an ISC 350, and over time electrolysis eats away at the liner if the DCA level is not maintained. I'm in the trucking business and actually saw one years ago that ate the metal away and you could hold a light inside the liner and see pin holes. I can't give you all the technical terms, but chemicals (DCA) prevent this from happening.

At any big truck parts store or Cummins, you can buy test strips at about 1.50 each. This will tell you the level of chemicals in your Coolant and allow you add what you need. The newer engines have a spin on filter that has the DCA pellets inside. There are various filter part numbers depending on how much DCA you need based on the the results of your test strip. If you change out Coolant and start fresh, you use the filter that matches up with the number of gallons in your system. After that, at service intervals, you replace the filter again based on the test strip. All of this is in your Cummins Manual. If you engine doesn't have a filter, you can then add liquid DCA or buy the pre-mix.

That is the non-tech version, hope it helps.. Won't be able to respond to this, heading west for 3 weeks...
Good luck..

Tom 02 Allure 30780

Re: Antifreeze - Propylene Glycol or Ethylene Glyc...

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5461
Quote from: larry hanson
> I'm still looking for someone to enlighten me on the DCA level.
DCA? What the......? How to test?

Quote
Larry
Intrigue
10762
This document came with my coach library of stuff. May help even if you have different engine.
www.cummins.com/na/pdf/en/products/rv/B59C83.pdf

Dean

1995 Magna C8.3

Re: Antifreeze - Propylene Glycol or Ethylene Glyc...

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5496
Quote from: gdbettig@a\.\.\.

Thank you.
Gary
Fleetguard Compleat states on the container that the product is compatible with either Propylene Glycol or Ethylene Glycol systems, states you can add it to a system which has either of the above.
Since this is a Cummins product shouldn't we believe the claim that it is compatible and will not harm the system? I don't know but would like to know.

Travman

Re: Antifreeze - Propylene Glycol or Ethylene Glyc...

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5608
I was in Coburg and wanted to buy some green Compleat. Cummins told me they only had blue and to mix it!!!!
WRONG. I found some Prestone heavy duty, low silicate at Schucks that meets the specs spelled out in the Cummins documentation. I bought two gallons and will cut it 50% with water. I'm staying green (ethelyne)!!!!
Chuck Gauthier
Intrigue 11142
2000 40' 350 ISC
 

Re: Antifreeze - Propylene Glycol or Ethylene Glyc...

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 5609
Hi Chuck,

OK - but please consider buying some test strips to check on the DCA additives coming from your water filter.
Fred Kovol

Quote from: intrigue11142