I have been getting a bunch of questions about the cavitation issue and coolant maintenance. This Service Bulletin has been in effect for over a year. Our baby Cummins engines need to be watched for nitrite and molybdate levels, just like the real trucks. Obviously, most Dodges do not have the coolant filters, no room for them, but all my tractors that use the B and C series engines do.

If in doubt check with Cummins. I did, and Cummins NW told me to follow this service bulletin (this is only the short summary).

Service Bulletin Number 3666132-02
Date 01-NOV-2002
Design Application Market Application All

Service Bulletin

Cummins Coolant Requirements and Maintenance

This service bulletin supersedes prior service bulletins concerning Cummins Inc. coolant requirements and maintenance; replace those service bulletins with this one.

This service bulletin outlines the proper application and maintenance of coolant for all Cummins engines, including gaseous fueled engines. It also updates and simplifies Cummins recommendations and guidelines for the end user.

Summary of Recommendations

Cummins Inc. cooling system general recommendations are listed below. These recommendations apply to both Standard Service Intervals and Extended Service Intervals. Refer to Section 2 or 3 for complete instructions.

1) Fill up and top off cooling systems with a fully formulated antifreeze/coolant meeting CES 14603.

2) Replace the coolant filter(s) at every recommended coolant filter change interval.

3) Add liquid Extender/SCA at each filter change as necessary.

4) Test coolant at least twice per year for liner-pitting protection (nitrite and molybdate levels). Test coolant for replacement limits every 240,000 km [150,000 mi ], 4000 hours, or once per year, whichever occurs first. Replace coolant only if replacement limits have been exceeded.

 

That's all nice, but our engines do not have liners.

 

Still subject to cavitation tho. Just like the 7.3.

 

to make a long story short cavitation dose not care if the cyl is a linner or cast to the block..Look at a ford 6.9 for instance and trust me its not cause it is a ford its steel and that is all that matters.

 

anyone got the hard facts on where to get the additives and test kit? How much? etc. etc....One test will tell you if Cummins/dealer put in the additives to begin with.


John

 

I guess that means my 94 dodge with 145k miles needs to have its coolant changed
DM01

 

You got that right!...even without cavitation, that is too long...

John

 

Just relized my 93 has 180k on the factory coolant
DM01

 

cooling system must be far better than a gasser chevy ....bought a 3 year old chevy with 50,000 on it and never had the coolant changed...10,000 miles later, water pump and freeze plugs were leaking. (holes rusted through the freeze plugs) What a mistake that truck was :-X

 

I thought Cummins stance on this is we do not have to use additive in the 5.9, but would not hurt anything if we did.

 

Thumper is right. Cavitation can occur in an engine that is not linered. Cavitation occurs when the cylinder causes a vibration and actually expands and contracts. The expanding and contracting causes air pockets between the liner, or block if non sleeved and the coolant. During this process the vibration causes the coolant to come crashing into the air pocket and cause pitting on the liner. Nitrite is essential for this because it actually coats the liner to help prevent the imploding getting to bare metal.

I wouldnt worry to much about the additives or coolant filters. Just use an approved coolant and change once per year. Unless you are running an extended life coolant. I am running the Fleetguard ESComplete (blue in color), it is good for 600k but you need to check the acidity level ever so often.

 

Or (dare I say it) go to a Ford dealer and get the additive for their diesels. Two bottles does a truck (I think) and it is cheap.

 

[quote author=spots link=board=8;threadid=22633;start=0#msg213738 date=1069723955]
Or (dare I say it) go to a Ford dealer and get the additive for their diesels. Two bottles does a truck (I think) and it is cheap.[/quote]Boy, I wouldn't put any Ford stuff in it; it might get the romps, or worse - the dreaded Dead Pedal!

 

[quote author=bulabula link=board=8;threadid=22633;start=0#msg213826 date=1069731410]
[quote author=spots link=board=8;threadid=22633;start=0#msg213738 date=1069723955]
Or (dare I say it) go to a Ford dealer and get the additive for their diesels. Two bottles does a truck (I think) and it is cheap.[/quote]Boy, I wouldn't put any Ford stuff in it; it might get the romps, or worse - the dreaded Dead Pedal!
[/quote]

is the romps anything like the trotts??

 

You get that from eatin' chinese 4 days straight right? ;D

Nitride - now that is an amazing operation/process. we have one here in the plant. We use it for our product, but also on other things that we want to hold up a long time...it works first rate.

John