is there a recommended cool down period before you shut the engine down, can anyone recommend the best antifreeze ? also is it normal for the coolant level to drop in the filler bottle every couple weeks ? this also happened on my previous gas burner dodge p/u. i don't know where the heck it goes but every couple weeks i need to add about a quart to the bottle. doesn't seem right to me. is this a dodge thing ?

 

Cool down time will vary depending on how hard the engine was worked prior to cooldown.

Basic everyday driving, 30 seconds should do it.

Pulling off the freeway at the top of a long hill pulling your 5th wheel, it might take up to 5 minutes.

Only way to be sure is install an EGT guage, shut down when temp reaches 300 degrees pre turbo.


Antifreeze: I use Fleetguard ES Complete premixed, available at most Cummins Distributors.

I've never had to top the overflow bottle off, never lost any coolant mysteriously.


phox

 

Hope your Antifreeze is not dropping due to the problem I have, a Cracked 53 Block.

I too was loosing aproximately a Pint to a Quart every 500 to 1000 miles, More if I was towing the 5th Wheel Camper. I never noticed any Antifreeze on the Driveway at home or under the truck at work.

Look at my Previous post for Pictures of the Leak and Crack in the block.

Hope it's only a leaky Radiator or Heater Hose.

Good Luck...

 

thanks much for the input folks. i really hope i didn't have two cracked blocks as my 2000 ram gas burner did the same thing. it only had 52,000 on it. i was beginning to wonder if this was a dodge thing. i don't see any signs of leakage,but i will continue to look. i will get me one of those egt gaugesand go the cummins premix as well. thanks jim

 

An oil analysis may be helpful to see if any antifreeze is in the oil, such as a bad oil cooler. Usually around $20 or less.

 

I usually let mine cool down to 375 degrees pre turbo. Which is about a minute or less.

 

Mine will never cool past 350 no mater how long it idles. Ill shut down at anything bolow 400.

Mooseman

 

I dont shut down above 275.It really doesn't take too long to let it get to 250,on my truck at least.