Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Coolant system flush C-9 (Read 4160 times) previous topic - next topic
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Coolant system flush C-9

Yahoo Message Number: 87781
How many gallons of coolant does it require to change out the coolant on a C-9 CAT?

Re: Coolant system flush C-9

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87793
According to my Cat C9 manual it says the total cooling system capacity will vary depending on the radiaotr provided by the vehicle manufacturer. They leave the table blank. Hence unless you can find someone with your identical coach and radiator, this is probably a question for Country Coach by providing your VIN number

Joseph Burkle

2008 Country Coach Inspire 360 Founders Edition 43' quad slide tag axle 425 HP C9 pusher http://www. Wind-seeker.com/

Re: Coolant system flush C-9

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87804
On my 40ft inspire with a c9 i think it took 14 gallons.

Rod

Re: Coolant system flush C-9

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87811
Rod and Joseph

Called CC and was told about 24 gallons when equates to many dollars so I don't want to buy more than I need but also don't want to end up short.
Found out that the ES Complete comes in Ethylene Glycol $14 a gallon and Propylene Glycol at $21. FleetGuard says they a similar and compatible with each other but the Propylene is less toxic.

Thanks for the responses

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Coolant system flush C-9

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87816
Ouch! The manual calls for replacement every 6 years and my rig has only been on the road 3 years now so fortunately I should not be changing coolant anytime soon, but doing the math from what you say that is some $500 for coolant replacement, not to mention disposal costs on the old, labor and coolant filter! Yikes! I take it this ES Compleat coolant is not like auto antifreeze where you dilute it 50/50? It actually takes 24 gallons of coolant? Holy cow.

joe

Re: Coolant system flush C-9

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87818
You can buy it like this and do your own mixing. You would need 12 gallons to get 24 gallons mixed. They say it's good for 150,000 miles or 4,000 hours. If you add the extender at 150,000 miles you can use it for another 150,000 miles or 4000 hours. Safe to say you will never have to replace it again if you take care of it. It's the best and made by Cummins and is different than the stuff you buy at the auto parts store.
http://www.ryderfleetproducts.com/fleetguard-cummins-cc2849/coolant-es-pg-concentrate-5-gallon-p-v52-cc2849
Barney

07 Inspire 52059

Re: Coolant system flush C-9

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87820
IMHO, the CAT ELC might be a better choice. A bit more expensive but likely to give you a longer life and less hassle over the long run. Every couple years you can have a CAT SOS test done. Never hurts to have through documentation on hand with the engine maker. I do the same due diligence with the oil.
CAT is discovering their stuff has a longer life than the 3+3 years. I'm in year 4 and have not had to add the Extender yet.

With these engines it's never wise to take the short cuts. Its also cultivates a good relationship with the local CAT Service Center, who treats me right, gives me a heads up about specials and discounts which save me more than any premium price for the ELC.

I sleep better too.
Lee

Re: Coolant system flush C-9

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87821
If you are having your CATERPILLAR C-9 serviced by CAT, at least check out using CAT Extended Life Coolant instead of Cummins.

Jay

05 Inspire 51457 C-9

Re: Coolant system flush C-9

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87822
Here is a good read and some good info http://www.cat.com/cda/files/87058/7/elcfaq.pdf There are many modern Heavy Duty Extended Life Coolants specifically designed for diesels. Delo ELC, Rotella ELC, International's Fleetrite ELC, CAT ELC, Mobil 1 ELC, and a host of others. They will address diesel cavitatation, provide superior metal corrosion protection, provide better heat transfer, require no testing and maintenance, be free of harmful abrasive silicates, borates, and phosphates, and in fact almost all heavy duty diesel manufacturers use Heavy Duty ELC's meeting the most strict requirements in the industry...Caterpillar's EC-1.
Remember you must use distilled water when doing a 50/50 mix plus the system should be flushed if going to a different kind of coolant. My C9 was flushed before they installed a new Brass and steel Radiator but on the same subject on my 06 F350 Ford I did a coolant flush with only 20k on it to remove the Ford Gold Junk coolant. I did a distilled flush first then used 1/2 gallon of Restore from Cummins ran 1 hr did 5 distilled flushes the add 1/2 gallon of Restore+ from Cummins ran 1 hr then did 5 more distilled water flushes then added 3 1/2 gallons Delo ELC CAT EC-1 Rated coolant because the system holds 7 gallons, total time 12.5hrs, when Ford does a coolant flush 1hr big difference.
Floyd 2006 Inspire 51744

Re: Coolant system flush C-9

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87855
Floyd

Now I am confused again. The cited CAT reference says that their ELC has a life of 6 years and I believe that the Fleetguard ELC used by Country Coach is comparable. Does the Fleetguard product have a life at which it should be changed?

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Coolant system flush C-9

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87856
Jay

Country Coach used the Fleetguard product and changing would make the process a lot more complicated and costly. If you look at the process for going from regular coolant to ELC coolant it is pretty involved. You have to be sure the system is totally cleaned out or the cross contamination will adversely affect the ability to use test strips and coolant analysis labs.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Coolant system flush C-9

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87857
Lee

Not to repeat my response to Floyd but CAT says their ELC has a 6 year life and there is considerable added complexity to trying at this point to switch products. As you said what if you go seven years and something happens. I thought that I read that the Fleetguard has a six year life but have not been able to find the reference. May be it is in the CC literature?
Why do you have CAT ELC? CC told me that they used Fleetguard in both Cummings and CAT engines.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Coolant system flush C-9

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87858
Joe

The coolant comes in concentrate or pre-mix. The premix version was $23 at Cummings and does use ionized water. CC says that I need about 24 gallons of pre-mix.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Coolant system flush C-9

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87864
Dan

This may help, it is on RVs and ELC coolants. I will flush mine in about 4 years with distilled water and refill with the right amount of ELC coolant (Cat concentrate) to get a 50/50 mix but it must be CAT EC-1 Rated ELC coolant. Coolant will wear out just like the oil.
When doing a coolant flush with Restore and Restore+ it is a big job and on a Cat motor to do it right it may take up to 2 days.
Floyd 2006 Inspire 51744

http://www.rvmagonline.com/tech/1011rv-diesel-engine-coolants-for-motorhomes/viewall.html

Re: Coolant system flush C-9

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87865
Floyd

Pretty good overview. This seems to be pretty clear that there is no lifetime coolant and about 6 years is the limit.

Thanks

Dan 2006 Allure 31348

Re: Coolant system flush C-9

Reply #16 –
Yahoo Message Number: 87898
Barney

Thanks, I found that same sheet. I don't see any reference to a limit on life of coolant (in terms of years) as long as the coolant meets parameters.
I am going to call them this morning to see if that is correct. If this is true then there is a competitive advantage over the CAT coolant when states that it has a six year life.

Dan 2006 Allure 31348