84FC35 Coolant Change

[erniecarpet@...]

Holland was going to charge you 400 bucks for a coolant change?

Ernie Ekberg
83PT40
Livingston, Mt




************************************** See what's free at http://www.aol.com.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Keith Strehle]

Hey everyone, I'm slowly catching up on the maintenance items for my
FC. I don't know when the coolant was changed last. So, I have a
couple questions

Regarding the coolant...

The coolant is bright green. Does that mean it's good to go?

I plan on testing the pH. Should it be neutral? pH-7?

If the pH is good does that mean the coolant is good?

When and if I change the coolant, should I drain everything? Heaters
and all?

Okay, last one. How much coolant will I need to do the job and is
there a preferred brand or color?

Many thanks, Keith
84FC35
San Diego

[birdshill123]

I am changing my A/F as part of some major maintenance. You need to
download the Cat lubrication guide in the file section. There is a
section on coolant. You have a diesel and there are many things more
important than the PH. Bright green indicates that your unit has
regular life A/F. Do you know if it has ever been changed? When? There
are many choices and the Cat document covers them all.

Bruce
1988FC35

[Keith Strehle]

I just bought the coach and the previous owners were unsure about
maintenance and didn't have many records. It has only 36,000 miles but
it is 23 yrs old. So, I don't know the status of the curent coolant?
I'm thinking of having Holland do it for me but thought I should test
it first. Should I use a standard automotive glycol test meter? Don't
want to spend $400 if I don't have to...

Keith
84FC

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "birdshill123"
wrote:
>
> I am changing my A/F as part of some major maintenance. You need to
> download the Cat lubrication guide in the file section. There is a
> section on coolant. You have a diesel and there are many things more
> important than the PH. Bright green indicates that your unit has
> regular life A/F. Do you know if it has ever been changed? When?
There
> are many choices and the Cat document covers them all.
>
> Bruce
> 1988FC35
>

[Don Bradner]

Generally what you want to test with is a three-way test strip. Nitrites, glycol
(freeze point), and pH. Nitrites give a good indication of the level of
protective additives.

On 4/2/2007 at 8:38 PM Keith Strehle wrote:

>I just bought the coach and the previous owners were unsure about
>maintenance and didn't have many records. It has only 36,000 miles but
>it is 23 yrs old. So, I don't know the status of the curent coolant?
>I'm thinking of having Holland do it for me but thought I should test
>it first. Should I use a standard automotive glycol test meter? Don't
>want to spend $400 if I don't have to...

Don Bradner
90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
Eureka, CA

[Keith Strehle]

Yep, figured about 8 to 15 gallons depending on whether on not the
entire system was drained. Makes sense to drain the whole thing to
me. Didn't ask about SCA? Not really sure if I need the SCA?
Drained, flushed, refilled, chassis heat and all. Actually around $335
not includng SCA?

Keith
84FC

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, erniecarpet@... wrote:
>
> Holland was going to charge you 400 bucks for a coolant change?
>
> Ernie Ekberg
> 83PT40
> Livingston, Mt
>
>
>
>
> ************************************** See what's free at
http://www.aol.com.
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>

[ac7880]

You can use the standard auto glycol test meter for antifreeze to
water ratio. You want around 50% ratio.

You NEED SCA. Cat SCA and test strips, or compatible in the correct
ratio. Too little is bad, and so is too much.

I did research this past week on SCA. Nalcool and Nalcool test
strips, and the NAPA SCA and test strips are compatible with the CAT
product.

The fleetguard brands are more for Cummins. (Just differrent
formulations.)
http://tinyurl.com/yw3j76
FAQ at http://www.acustrip.com/faq.html
http://www.dieselmanor.com/docs/FG-teststrips.pdf
http://tinyurl.com/yot4mk

Dan
prior 83 FC35, now 94 BB BMC 37', NM


--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "Keith Strehle"
wrote:
>
> I just bought the coach and the previous owners were unsure about
> maintenance and didn't have many records. It has only 36,000 miles
but
> it is 23 yrs old. So, I don't know the status of the curent
coolant?
> I'm thinking of having Holland do it for me but thought I should
test
> it first. Should I use a standard automotive glycol test meter?
Don't
> want to spend $400 if I don't have to...
>
> Keith
> 84FC
>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "birdshill123"
> wrote:
> >
> > I am changing my A/F as part of some major maintenance. You need
to
> > download the Cat lubrication guide in the file section. There is
a
> > section on coolant. You have a diesel and there are many things
more
> > important than the PH. Bright green indicates that your unit has
> > regular life A/F. Do you know if it has ever been changed? When?
> There
> > are many choices and the Cat document covers them all.
> >
> > Bruce
> > 1988FC35
> >
>