Towing Capability with A 40' Coach???

[Robin97396]

That's that lubricant additive? I hear that's a good idea to help prevent water pump failure on coolant in any unfamiliar vehicles.

I'll likely just run this green for the recommended two years then switch up to red for the longevity. My flush is done and I'm rinsing the system today.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

Let's not forget blackstone LAB will send you free sample bottles and it used to be 20$ a sample for oil,tranny fluid,coolant?
You tell them whether the sample was taken from a hot or cold engine and they can and will tell you there analysis of the particulates in the fluid you send them.
Which is what every heavy diesel shop owner/mechanic does at any and every fluid change. Including CAT,DEERE,KOMATSU. Most school districts in my area ? And the report tells you if there's coolant in the oil or tranny fluid in the coolant?
Cheap insurance that lets us know what is going on before we have a problem?

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by Jolly Roger bus 223

Let's not forget blackstone LAB will send you free sample bottles and it used to be 20$ a sample for oil,tranny fluid,coolant?
You tell them whether the sample was taken from a hot or cold engine and they can and will tell you there analysis of the particulates in the fluid you send them.
Which is what every heavy diesel shop owner/mechanic does at any and every fluid change. Including CAT,DEERE,KOMATSU. Most school districts in my area ? And the report tells you if there's coolant in the oil or tranny fluid in the coolant?
Cheap insurance that lets us know what is going on before we have a problem?

I used Blackstone for my motorcycle.

Yamaha service interval for oil change is 4000 miles. I sent them a sample after I returned from my 48 states in 9 days ride. 8500 miles on bog standard Rotella T. Bike had 100k miles showing.

They said the oil is fine and I could push the service interval to 10 000 miles, but fix that coolant leak

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Twigg

I used Blackstone for my motorcycle.

I use Blackstone Labs, as well. I don't know what any of the words mean, but it makes me feel better.

I try to throw the Lab for a loop from time to time. I sent one sample in where I mixed tractor oil, my dogs urine and Jack Daniels Whiskey.

Pretty good lab- they said the tractor was going to throw a rod, the dog was pregnant and someone's been watering down my booze.

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by Rusty

I use Blackstone Labs, as well. I don't know what any of the words mean, but it makes me feel better.

I try to throw the Lab for a loop from time to time. I sent one sample in where I mixed tractor oil, my dogs urine and Jack Daniels Whiskey.

Pretty good lab- they said the tractor was going to throw a rod, the dog was pregnant and someone's been watering down my booze.

The old jokes are the best

[dan-fox]

Originally Posted by Robin97396

That's that lubricant additive? I hear that's a good idea to help prevent water pump failure on coolant in any unfamiliar vehicles.

I'll likely just run this green for the recommended two years then switch up to red for the longevity. My flush is done and I'm rinsing the system today.

SCA's are typically added to coolant used in wet sleeve engines (like yours?) to mitigate the effects of cavitation and minimize the damage to the outer surface of the sleeves/cylinders. I'm not sure that they do squat for the water pump, but hey, could it hurt?

Actually, I think the answer is yes, it could, if your engine is not spec'ed for SCA coolant or SCAs added to green coolant. If you do use SCAs and are supplying them as additives vs buying some sort of premix, there is an outboard thingie that you can install that "weeps" SCAs into your coolant at some prescribed rate to assist in keeping the right levels.

But, what do I know, all I've done is read about buses.

[Robin97396]

Ok, so I had to break down and actually read some too. There sure are a lot of additives these things need. It's like putting bandaids on manufacturing mistakes, but if it keeps us going....

There are numerous coolant additives. Any specific brand name? I'm looking at Lubegard 30916.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Robin97396

Ok, so I had to break down and actually read some too. There sure are a lot of additives these things need. It's like putting bandaids on manufacturing mistakes, but if it keeps us going....

There are numerous coolant additives. Any specific brand name? I'm looking at Lubegard 30916.

It really is interesting to start reading the tech sheets. If you go into a bus barn office or municipal yard office, you will see the big books mumbo jumbo. We don't put the mile and hours that the commercial operators do, but it is still wise to heed best practices.

We really need a *good* compendium of information about each engine/transmission so we all don't have to independently become bus experts in a painful manner. Or worse- search the posts fro half-truths and hearsay.

[cadillackid]

I bought 3 way coolant test strips from 'Peak' antifreeze. in the DEV bus i run the Peak pre-charged 'Fleet-charge' coolant. .. and a coolant filter which has SCA's in it.. when you properly fill from the beginning the fleet-charge coolant has the proper concentrations in it.. and the coolant filter slowly releases SCA's to keep the level proper.. I test it every few months and it has always been right on in the center..

that coolant was new last year.. it will get changed again in the spring of 2018.. and this time will go to amsOIL Polyorganic HD coolant.. this 'ELC' coolant requires no SCA's and is safe for all engines. old and new.. im running it in the RedByrd bus. you can call them and ask if its safe for your variant of cummins engine. its also good for 150,000 miles..
-Christopher

[Robin97396]

Thanks gentlemen. I still question how much wetter my coolant can be.

As stated in the past, I cut my teeth on detroit style diesels many years ago. We used regular oil and regular coolant. I've read how SCAs damage detroit type engines. I had no idea I was being neglectful to my poor cummings, assuming the new coolant would have what the cooling system needs.

So, SCAs it is. Keep an eye on me so I don't turn my cross country trip into a short journey. Thanks.

[Robin97396]

I've also found the SCA filters. Now I'm questioning how I get a spin on filter added to my cooling system, or does it already have a coolant filter location that I haven't found yet?

Just as I was leaning back after a cooling system flush and new coolant, thinking I was done in that area.

[Twigg]

Is the conclusion here that using ELC coolant means you don't need extra additives, and that you should then use a coolant filter (if fitted) that has no additives in it?

Should you still test the coolant regularly, or simply stick to a regular change schedule which would normally be every two years.

Wet liner engine.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Twigg

Is the conclusion here that using ELC coolant means you don't need extra additives, and that you should then use a coolant filter (if fitted) that has no additives in it?

Should you still test the coolant regularly, or simply stick to a regular change schedule which would normally be every two years.

Wet liner engine.

ELC is extended, so supposed to be good for like 7-8 years. Test it yourself with fresh test strips after 4 years, every other year after.

SCA is a abrasive, so too much is bad, too. That's why you don't just say "screw it" and throw it in or it eats water pumps.

[Twigg]

Originally Posted by Rusty

ELC is extended, so supposed to be good for like 7-8 years. Test it yourself with fresh test strips after 4 years, every other year after.

SCA is a abrasive, so too much is bad, too. That's why you don't just say "screw it" and throw it in or it eats water pumps.

Thank you.

[Jolly Roger bus 223]

I learned a while back that any and almost all shops that do regular fleet maintenance on any diesels send a sample of whatever fluid was changed to a lab to get a full analysis.
I like blackstone labs.
The sample bottles are free
Each oil sample is almost 50$ right now but they will send you a report with everything about your engine oil.
For example
It has x amount of metal particles in it and is looking good for your stated mileage or it has a slight hint of coolant in your oil and recommend you have your head bolts tightened but you should be good for another 3000 miles.
You can send them tranny fluid,oil,coolant and get there analysis and recommendations for your specific engine or what ever and there recommendations to keep you going.
And even though Gregory Poole/caterpillar have there own gig I have seen them use blackstone lab reports to verify or disclaim some of there own reports.
If anyone wants to see a full report I have several from Gregory Poole that my bus was analyzed buy during its length at the school system.
To show YALL what it looks like but Blackstone is cheaper and ready to serve the individual owner.

[EastCoastCB]

I'm going to take samples of all my relevant fluids and see how everything looks.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

I'm going to take samples of all my relevant fluids and see how everything looks.

I thought you already did that this morning?


This is a great sheet for cummins ISB owners- speaks to coolant selection.

[Robin97396]

That appears to be '98 and above. I'm sure my '97 probably applies similarly.

Thanks.

[dan-fox]

Originally Posted by Robin97396

So, SCAs it is. Keep an eye on me so I don't turn my cross country trip into a short journey. Thanks.

Call Cummins. Find a book specific to your engine. Get some authoritative information. Otherwise, it could go badly.

[Robin97396]

Yes, apparently the SCAs can easily be overdone. SCAs are reported as an abrasive and to much is not a good thing.