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Tractor coolant questions

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AbbasChild
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 72 Western Pennsylvania
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2011-06-17          179054


1. How often are people changing the engine coolant? The book says every 12 months--I have read some things here that say 2 years is OK--why is everything else done by hours and this recommendation by months?

2. Do diesel engines have different coolant requirements than gasoline engines? Right or wrong I have never changed nor flushed the radiator on my car--12 yrs old now with over 150,000 miles. How do diesel engines differ?

3. What do you do with the used coolant?

THANKS!

My tractor will break the 200 hr mark this weekend (today if it does not rain) and I was preparing for the 200 hour-check and realized that I have been checking the coolant level but it is supposed to be changed by the book.

Mike




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auerbach
Join Date: Sep 2007
Posts: 2168 West of Toronto
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2011-06-17          179056


Good question; here's a poor answer because I'm not sure.

I once saw on a truck-stop shelf, "Diesel-Engine Antifreeze." I didn't think there was any such thing, but diesels do get hotter than most gas engines.

I've heard that the protective additives break down in time. Yanmar calls for changing yearly.

I've heard that if you use hard water, the dissolved minerals in it can precipitate and clog the system, so use softened or distilled.

I've heard that a common cause of a blown head gasket is overheating.

Three things for sure. 1. The right antifreeze mixture deters overheating. 2. If you ever add water, check the concentration, especially if hot or cold temps are approaching. 3. All you can easily drain on most rigs is the rad; draining/replacing the coolant in the block is more involved.
....


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kthompson
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 5275 South Carolina
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2011-06-17          179058


All may not but the antifreeze I have bought tells it is for both gas and diesel. Can not imagine a difference in the antifreeze.

I change about ever two years. Not sure what the manauls say. Have heard the coolant will or can break down. ....


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greg_g
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1816 Western Kentucky
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2011-06-17          179066


12 months seems a bit frequent, but the book may have been written before some of the extended life coolants hit the market.

As far as diesel coolant versus petrol coolant, it depends upon the engine. If your diesel is a dry-sleeve engine, you can use automotive type coolant. But it would make me feel a bit more secure if the label actually did say "for diesel or petrol engines". But if your diesel is wet-sleeved, you need a SCA coolant. SCA is an additive that reduces cavitation, with the aim to prevent burning holes in the cylinder sleeves over time. And that additive can wear out over time too, so be sure to follow the minimum change interval suggested on the container - or your book - whichever you deem more applicable.

//greg// ....


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AbbasChild
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 72 Western Pennsylvania
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster

2011-06-18          179073


Thanks for the input everyone!

What abour disposal--I have a septic system and don't really want to put it in there; we have a pond and stream on our property so I am hesitant on putting it down a ground hog hole! :) Do auto-stores recycle it like they do oil?

Mike ....


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greg_g
Join Date: Jan 2004
Posts: 1816 Western Kentucky
TractorPoint Premium Member -- 5 Tractors = Very Frequent Poster  View my Photos  Pics

2011-06-18          179074


My farm roads are gravel. I just pour my used anti-freeze in the spots that are prone to be dusty. The surface is so compacted, there's no way for the stuff to ever reach the water table.

//greg// ....


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