41
F.
COOLANTS
The coolant should be maintained throughout the life of the cooling system. Testing the
coolant is important to ensure that the engine and/or pumps are protected from internal
cavitation and that all cooling system components are protected from corrosion, erosion,
scaling, boiling and freezing.
Refer to the engine’s operation and maintenance manual and the coolant
recommendations for the correct interval for testing the coolant, supplementing
additives and extenders and for replacement of the coolant. Typical coolant testing
intervals and coolant service life are shown in Tables 7 & 8.
Table 7: Typical coolant test intervals
Type of Coolant
Level 1
(1)
Level 2
(2)
Conventional
Heavy-Duty
Coolant/Antifreeze
Every 250 hours or
6 months
Yearly
(3)
Extended Life
Coolant
Optional
(3)
Yearly
(3)
(1)
A Level 1 test includes:
-
Glycol concentration for freeze and boil protection
-
Ability to protect from erosion and corrosion
-
pH
-
Conductivity
-
Visual analysis
-
Odor analysis
-
The results are reported and appropriate
recommendations are made
(2)
A Level 2 test includes:
-
All of the above Level 1 test, plus
-
Identification of metal corrosion and of contaminants
-
Identification of buildup of the impurities that cause
corrosion
-
Identification of buildup of the impurities that cause
scaling
-
Determination of the possibility of electrolysis within
the cooling system of the engine
-
The results are reported and appropriate
recommendations are made
(3)
A Level 2 coolant test should be performed sooner if a
problem is suspected or identified