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Coolant test strips: Diesel engine
Posted on 7/5/16 at 6:11 pm
Posted on 7/5/16 at 6:11 pm
I've been researching this, but I'm kinda confused.
Any brand you guys use and what they test for?
Any brand you guys use and what they test for?
3
Posted on 7/5/16 at 6:35 pm to N2cars
Bought some napa strips the other day, tests for pH, freeze point, nitrite levels (I guess nitrite levels is the anti cavitation additive, I have read the napa strips won't read dca/sca levels in any other brand of coolant??? I'm probably going to return these and get a Fleetguard kit for my 7.3.
Posted on 7/5/16 at 6:35 pm to N2cars
It's an easy way to make sure you've got the right shite in your coolant.
Diesels require a lot more than just water and ethylene glycol. Primarily, nitrates (or something similar) to prevent cavitation.
ETA: Treat your coolant right. It's often neglected and can result in tearing up the block. At minimum, you can frick up the oil and EGR coolers by using tap water instead of distilled and wipe out pump housings by not having nitrates. In engines with wet cylinder liners (medium and heavy duty shite) it can actually cavitate around the liner, eat it away, and cause unintentional crankcase ventilation.
Diesels require a lot more than just water and ethylene glycol. Primarily, nitrates (or something similar) to prevent cavitation.
ETA: Treat your coolant right. It's often neglected and can result in tearing up the block. At minimum, you can frick up the oil and EGR coolers by using tap water instead of distilled and wipe out pump housings by not having nitrates. In engines with wet cylinder liners (medium and heavy duty shite) it can actually cavitate around the liner, eat it away, and cause unintentional crankcase ventilation.
This post was edited on 7/5/16 at 6:45 pm
Posted on 7/5/16 at 7:42 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
Well, dang it, I know most of that. 
Any particular strip you use?
Replaced the radiator at 45K, truck has 67 now so I suspect coolant is OK, but wanted to do my own tests.
Any particular strip you use?
Replaced the radiator at 45K, truck has 67 now so I suspect coolant is OK, but wanted to do my own tests.
Posted on 7/5/16 at 7:51 pm to N2cars
Yall are some jinxing mf'ers. Just walked outside to go pick up food, and a big puddle of red underneath the truck. Water pump time 
quote:Do yall have Restore coolant flush at your office, or do I need to go to Kenner? I need to get all of this Dexcool out of my shite
DownshiftAndFloorIt
Posted on 7/5/16 at 7:52 pm to Hammertime
quote:
Dexcool
Shoot, I've got some of that old crap in the Vette. Need to take it out ASAP.
Posted on 7/5/16 at 7:53 pm to Hammertime
quote:
Water pump time
Sorry, man.
Posted on 7/5/16 at 8:02 pm to N2cars
Dont you have a Ford? See what they recommend. I'm a Fleetguard fan but if Ford likes different dissolved shite in their coolant the Fleetguard stuff might not read it correctly. I've never used anything other than Fleetguard. I'm sure Cat has a really good product as well.
If the system was refilled with premixed coolant than it'll be fine for a very long time. The new stuff is ultra tough and if you don't have to add to it it'll last damn near forever. Keep the filter changed with factory filters. They have pellets of additive in them that help keep the SCA levels right. Always top off/refill with premixed stuff. If you do that the rest of the truck will rot to the ground before the coolant burns out.
If the system was refilled with premixed coolant than it'll be fine for a very long time. The new stuff is ultra tough and if you don't have to add to it it'll last damn near forever. Keep the filter changed with factory filters. They have pellets of additive in them that help keep the SCA levels right. Always top off/refill with premixed stuff. If you do that the rest of the truck will rot to the ground before the coolant burns out.
Posted on 7/5/16 at 8:05 pm to Hammertime
Negative.
I thought dexcool was pretty good stuff??? I've never heard of it being a problem. The worst thing on those 6.0's is the cheap arse water pump, which isn't all that bad. They're good for being the first thing to shite out, with the power steering pump seal following 6 or 7 months after.
ETA: you can probably get restore at NAPA for cheaper.
I thought dexcool was pretty good stuff??? I've never heard of it being a problem. The worst thing on those 6.0's is the cheap arse water pump, which isn't all that bad. They're good for being the first thing to shite out, with the power steering pump seal following 6 or 7 months after.
ETA: you can probably get restore at NAPA for cheaper.
This post was edited on 7/5/16 at 8:11 pm
Posted on 7/5/16 at 8:13 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
quote:
I'm a Fleetguard fan but if Ford likes different dissolved shite in their coolant the Fleetguard stuff might not read it correctly.
Yep, me too. wasn't sure if Fleetguard would pick up all the tests Ford was looking for.
quote:
Keep the filter changed with factory filters. They have pellets of additive in them that help keep the SCA levels right
Fuel filters?
Posted on 7/5/16 at 8:18 pm to N2cars
Coolant filter. I'm assuming the PS6.7 has one?
It might not and that's not necessarily a bad thing in a pickup truck. You can check coolant concentration periodically (if you're worried about it) and add the additives as necessarily to get it back in spec. The additives can be bought separately. If you just do whatever the manual says (likely drain and refill at 100k) you'll be fine. Definitely change the filter (if it has one) at the specified interval though.
If you want to really go overboard, have a dealer check it with a refractometer and test strips. That's really the only way to get the full story on what's in there, but on a pickup truck it doesn't really matter THAT much.
It might not and that's not necessarily a bad thing in a pickup truck. You can check coolant concentration periodically (if you're worried about it) and add the additives as necessarily to get it back in spec. The additives can be bought separately. If you just do whatever the manual says (likely drain and refill at 100k) you'll be fine. Definitely change the filter (if it has one) at the specified interval though.
If you want to really go overboard, have a dealer check it with a refractometer and test strips. That's really the only way to get the full story on what's in there, but on a pickup truck it doesn't really matter THAT much.
Posted on 7/5/16 at 8:27 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
It's good, but sludges up if mixed with the green stuff. Idk what was in it before I got it, so I want to make sure and do a full cleaner and flush
Posted on 7/5/16 at 8:57 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
I found the test kit finally. Looks like it's two part deal.
Can't find any reference to a coolant filter as of yet.
You can add the VC-12 up to twice to bring it up to spec.
I don't think much of the dealer around here, as you know.
Gonna sell the truck to my bud in a few months and want it to be in tip-top shape.
Can't find any reference to a coolant filter as of yet.
quote:
The additives can be bought separately. If you just do whatever the manual says (likely drain and refill at 100k) you'll be fine.
You can add the VC-12 up to twice to bring it up to spec.
quote:
dealer
I don't think much of the dealer around here, as you know.
Gonna sell the truck to my bud in a few months and want it to be in tip-top shape.
Posted on 7/5/16 at 8:58 pm to Hammertime
Definitely won't hurt. Sounds like you'll be draining it very soon anyway.
Posted on 7/5/16 at 9:25 pm to DownshiftAndFloorIt
I found enough of both Restore and Restore Plus in my shop to get it done. It's just a PITA going through the whole cleaning process. Takes an entire day
Posted on 7/5/16 at 9:36 pm to N2cars
It might not have a filter. Wouldn't surprise me either way. How much good it does is highly debatable.
It would probably take forever to need to add additive twice. That test kit will tell you everything you need to know though. I'm sure you'll find it's too close to perfect to tell it isn't.
It would probably take forever to need to add additive twice. That test kit will tell you everything you need to know though. I'm sure you'll find it's too close to perfect to tell it isn't.
Posted on 7/5/16 at 9:37 pm to Hammertime
I've never done it and never intend to. That's a suck arse job.
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