Table of Contents
Can you use regular coolant in a diesel engine?
You should NEVER use light duty coolant in a heavy duty engine, this will cause damage! Pitting/Cavitation Corrosion – Many heavy duty diesel engines use replaceable liners that fit down around each cylinder to aid in serviceability.
What coolant is best for diesel?
Best Diesel Option: Zerex G-05 Antifreeze/Coolant ZEREX G-05 contains a nitrite based additive that is designed to protect your diesel engine’s cylinder liners from cavitation erosion – a common type of erosion in diesel engines.
Can you use 50/50 antifreeze in a diesel?
Prestone ® HD 50/50 Prediluted NITRITE FREE Extended Life (ELC) Antifreeze/Coolant is intended for use and compatible with ANY nitrite free HD Organic Acid Technology (OAT) coolant in ANY diesel-powered commercial vehicle engine or stationary engine with aluminum or other engine metals.
Can you use green antifreeze in a diesel engine?
Valvoline™ ZEREX™ HD Pre-Charged Green Antifreeze/Coolant is a low-silicate formula charged with special inhibitors to protect heavy duty diesel engines from liner pitting and corrosion.
What is the preferred pH level of coolant in a diesel engine?
between 8 and 10
Therefore, the pH value in an ideal cooling system always needs to be between 8 and 10. To achieve this, you need buffers in your cooling fluid to neutralise the formation of acids or alkalis.
What Color Is engine coolant?
The Colors of Coolant
| TYPE | INHIBITOR TECHNOLOGY | COLOR |
|---|---|---|
| IAT (Inorganic Additive Technology) | Silicates | GREEN |
| OAT (Organic Acid Technology) | Organic Acids | ORANGE |
| HOAT (Hybrid OAT) | Silicates & Organic Acids | YELLOW |
| HOAT (Hybrid OAT, Phosphate-free) | NAP Free | TURQUOISE |
What is red coolant?
Red coolant is typically has a base of Organic Acid Technology which has a different chemical makeup of green coolant and is designed to be suitable for aluminium radiators. Red coolant is often silicate and phosphate free for use in later Japanese and Euro vehicles.
Does a diesel need coolant?
Did you know that diesel engines need cooling system maintenance more often than gas engines? The coolant in diesel engines needs to be replaced every 2 years (or 30,000 miles), while the coolant in gas engines needs to be replaced only every five years.
What happens if coolant pH is low?
Corrosion in an engine usually occurs when the pH value of your cooling fluid is lower than 7. Your cooling fluid becomes acidic due to the degradation of antifreeze and sulphates entering the cooling system. That leads to general corrosion of your liners, cylinder blocks and heads, and in the waterways and hoses.
What happens when coolant becomes acidic?
The coolant can become more acidic over time and lose its rust-inhibiting properties, causing corrosion. Corrosion can damage the radiator, water pump, thermostat, radiator cap, hoses and other parts of the cooling system, as well as to the vehicle heater system. And that can cause a car engine to overheat.
Can you put coolant in a diesel car?
Coolant is coolant. Don’t mix ethylene glycol (green) with propylene glycol (red) – they’re incompatible. But, coolant in general doesn’t care if the engine runs on Diesel or gasoline. Which is worse for the engine, putting diesel in a “petrol car” or petrol in a “diesel car”?
What to do if you put petrol in a diesel car?
Switch off your engine as soon as possible and tow it to a garage or to your home. Drain the petrol from the tank, replace the fuel filter, and fill it up with diesel again. 1. Check engine light Since modern car engines are very intelligent, it often detects when you have put petrol in your diesel engine.
Can water be used in a coolant system?
Water Quality – is this water suitable for use in a cooling system. Depleting glycol levels in the coolant will bring down the boiling point and have a detrimental effect on the engine, especially in hot spots around the head. Refractometers are a near accurate tool to measure the glycol content of engine coolant.
How long does coolant last in a car?
This type of coolant can be used for up to 300,000 miles or 6,000 hours of engine operation. Even at this mileage, the coolant can be charged with an extender additive and continue for another 300,000 miles or 6,000 hours of engine operation.