Coolant Additives – Any Benefit or Stay Away

[David R Flamer]

It seems that the B-Series Cummins is pretty impervious to cooling system issues within the closed side.

I have used Redline Water Wetter in various land-based applications. Is there any benefit to using it within the closed portion of QSB cooling system?

Any thoughts are appreciated.

Topic

[Rob Schepis]

I think the only “additive” I have ever used was a gasoline stabilizer in my jerry can for my home equipment..

[David R Flamer]

Rob, Philip pretty much explained what they do. Philip’s explanation makes perfect sense.

[Philip]

I have a VERY basic understanding of how these products work as I wondered the same thing. Essentially these products lower the surface tension of the fluid allowing more fluid contact with the surrounding surfaces.

In a race car engine with pure water this seems to be a proven benefit. However there is no corrosion protection to pure water and it’s customary in race application to completely drain and refill radiator fluid between races mitigating any corrosive issues.

In a marine application where a healthy engine is running close to the thermostat temps you will only cause the thermostat to do what it’s designed to do and regulate the temp. At the same time any quality diesel antifreeze is already fortified with a balance of various components to do the same thing and upsetting the balance in my mind is not worth any possible benefit.

Any healthy marine cooling system that is regularly maintained in a properly loaded application will serve the owner for multiple thousands of hours. No need to make it more complicated than that.

[Rob Schepis]

I think the first part of your post answers the question – there are no issues that need correcting. I’m not familiar with that product – what do you expect it to accomplish?

[Author]

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