Advice on Coolant for 6CTA 450 Mechanical

[Jerome Billett]

I’ve read a lot on boatdiesel.com about the need to put DCA into the coolant and monitor the levels regularly, making adjustments as needed. I was talking to one of the fellows at SBmar (not sure of a name) a month or so ago and the topic of DCA came up and he suggested plain green Prestone (ethylene glycol) was just fine for coolant in my engines. I know the last time a mechanic did the maintenance they used Prestone. So, who do I follow? I don’t want to start a rat’s nest of conflicting opinions here but I am just wondering what the pros and cons are on the topic from this side.

Topic

[Jerome Billett]

Thanks so much for this advice Tony. I can just keep doing what I am already by the sounds of it. That was my gut instinct as well.
Jerome

[Tony Athens]

Coolant Questions–Cummins 6CTA 8.3

JBB,

What I say here is based on real field experience (not the “book”) with this engine since it released in the mid to late 80’s………..

The 6CTA 8.3 base engine has a modern mid-stop liner design, and obviously, is also made from superior quality materials, plus has a coolant flow design that when all put together, seems to make this engine very tolerant of something less then a “school book” coolant make up..

So I say this————Use any brand name 50-50 EG coolant, use a WF2073 or WF 2074 filter when you change, and then change the coolant every 3000-4000 hours or 5-7 yrs, which ever come first.. Go fishing and don’t worry about the rest..

Tony

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Kevin

[Author]

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