Operation and maintenance manual

Section 210-0000
SM 2117 Rev 1 11-03
5
RECOMMENDED COOLANTS
Antifreeze
Use genuine Detroit Diesel Power Cool or an equivalent
ethylene glycol base coolant (low silicate formulation)
that meets or exceeds the standard of either the GM
6038-M formulation (GM 1899-M performance) or
ASTM D 4985 requirements.
A 50% antifreeze/water solution is normally used as a
factory fill. Concentrations over 70% are not
recommended because of poor heat transfer capability,
adverse freeze protection and possible silicate dropout.
Concentrations below 30% offer little freeze, boil over
or corrosion protection. Refer to graph in Fig. 3.
Antifreeze solution should be used year-round to
provide freeze and boil over protection as well as a
Cooling System - Cooling System (Series 60 Engine)
stable environment for seals and hoses. In extremely
hot environments, clean, soft, properly inhibited water
may be used if Detroit Diesel Maintenance Product
supplemental corrosion inhibitors are also added in the
right concentration. If water is used, supplemental
coolant additive levels should be increased from 3% to
6% by volume.
Only non-chromate inhibitors should be used with
coolant solutions. Chromate coolant inhibitors are not
compatible with ethylene glycol antifreeze (low silicate
formulation) and if these compounds are combined a
green sludge will be produced. This sludge will deposit
on cooling system passages and reduce heat transfer
from the engine to coolant.
Methyl alcohol-based antifreeze is not recommended
for use because of its effect on the nonmetallic
components of the cooling system and its low boiling
point. Methoxy propanol-based antifreeze is also not
recommended for use because it is not compatible
with fluoroelastomer seals found in the cooling system.
Soluble oil additives are not approved for use in the
cooling system. A small amount of oil adversely
affects heat transfer; 1.25% concentration increases
the fire deck temperature 6% and 2.5% concentration
increases fire deck temperature 15%.
Supplemental Coolant Additives (SCA)
SCA's provide protection for the cooling system
components. The coolant must have the proper
concentration of SCA's. Detroit Diesel Maintenance
products are recommended for use in all Detroit Diesel
Engines.
The proper application of SCA will provide:
a - pH control to prevent corrosion.
b - Water-softening to deter formation of mineral
deposits.
c - Cavitation protection to reduce the effects of
cavitation.
Install a new precharge coolant filter at initial cooling
system fill and whenever the coolant is changed.
Replace the precharge filter with a maintenance filter
after 250 hours then every 500 hours thereafter. Refer
to the vehicle Parts Book for coolant filter part
numbers.
Note: Selection of the correct coolant filter element is
vital when precharging the cooling system and at
maintenance intervals. A fully formulated cooling
SM - 1209
Fig. 3 - Coolant Freezing and Boiling Temperatures versus
Inhibited Ethylene Glycol (IEG) Concentration (Sea Level)