Perkins 4.236 Series, User Handbook Manual, Page: 49 / 54

5
User’s Handbook, TPD 1291E, Issue 2 43
4.236 Series
Coolant specification
The quality of the coolant which is used can have a great effect on the efficiency and life of the cooling system.
The recommendations indicated below can help to maintain a good cooling system and to protect it against
frost and/or corrosion.
If the correct procedures are not used, Perkins cannot be held responsible for frost or corrosion damage.
1 If it is possible, use clean soft water in the coolant.
2 If an antifreeze mixture, other than Perkins POWERPART, is used to prevent frost damage, it must have an
ethanediol base (ethylene glycol) with a corrosion inhibitor. It is recommended that the corrosion inhibitor is of
the sodium nitrite or sodium benzoate type. The antifreeze mixture must be an efficient coolant at all ambient
temperatures and it must provide protection against corrosion. It must also have a specification at least as
good as the requirements of the standards below:
United Kingdom: BS.6580 MOD AL39: "Specification for corrosion inhibiting, engine coolant concentrate
(antifreeze)".
Perkins POWERPART antifreeze exceeds the requirements of the above standards.
The quality of the antifreeze coolant must be checked at least once a year, for example, at the beginning of
the cold period. The coolant must be changed every two years.
The antifreeze mixture must consist of equal quantities of antifreeze and water concentrations of more than
50% of antifreeze must not be used because these can affect adversely the performance of the coolant.
3 When frost protection is not necessary, it is still an advantage to use an approved antifreeze mixture
because this gives a protection against corrosion and also raises the boiling point of the coolant.
If an antifreeze is not used, add a correct mixture of corrosion inhibitor to the water.
Renew the mixture of water and corrosion inhibitor every six months or check it according to the inhibitor
manufacturer's recommendations.
Caution: Certain corrosion inhibitor mixtures could cause damage to some engine components. It is
recommended that you consult the Service Department, Perkins Power Sales and Service Limited,
Peterborough if a corrosion inhibitor is to be used.
This document has been printed from SPI². Not for Resale