Operators Manual

Table Of Contents
NOTE: Fully formulated antifreeze does not require a dosage of
Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA) at initial use.
ELC Antifreeze Coolants
EG and PG based antifreeze coolants contain Organic Acid Technology (OAT).
These coolants require less maintenance over the useful life of the engine.
ELC antifreeze coolants are available as either concentrated or pre-mixed
formulations. Concentrated antifreeze coolants should be mixed at 50% (50%
antifreeze/50% water). These types of coolants should not be mixed with SLCs.
If an ELC antifreeze coolant and SLC antifreeze coolants are mixed, damage may
not result, but the long-life advantages of the ELC antifreeze coolant will be lost. In
this event, the coolant should be re-inhibited with OAT inhibitors and confirmed by
analysis or else it must be maintained as an SLC antifreeze coolant.
Water-Only Coolants (Series 50, 55 and 60 only)
In warm climates where freeze protection is not required, water only with corrosion
inhibitors is approved for use. Water-only systems need to be treated with the
proper dosage of corrosion inhibitors. Detroit™-approved SCA or ELC corrosion
inhibitors must be added to the water to provide required corrosion and cavitation
erosion protection.
Mixing Ethylene Glycol or Propylene Glycol Antifreeze and Water
It is highly recommended to use a pre-mixed 50/50 antifreeze coolant. However, if
a concentrated Ethylene Glycol or Propylene Glycol antifreeze is purchased, mix
the antifreeze with water meeting the required quality standards and fill the cooling
system. See water requirement below for quality standards. If a pre-diluted coolant
is purchased, simply fill the cooling system.
For best overall performance, a coolant consisting of 50% concentration of
antifreeze (50% antifreeze, 50% water) is recommended. An antifreeze
concentration of over 60% (60% antifreeze, 40% water) is not recommended due
to poor heat transfer, reduced freeze protection, and possible silicate dropout. An
antifreeze concentration below 40% (40% antifreeze, 60% water) offers too little
freeze and/or corrosion protection and is not recommended.
WATER REQUIREMENTS
Distilled or de-ionized water, which eliminates the adverse effects of minerals in
tap water, is preferred. High levels of dissolved chlorides, sulfates, magnesium, and
calcium in some tap water causes scale deposits, sludge deposits and/or corrosion.
These deposits have been shown to result in water pump failures and poor heat
transfer, resulting in overheating. If tap water is used, the mineral content in the
water must be below the maximum concentration listed in the table below.
How to Procedures
182 All information subject to change without notice.
Copyright © 2022 DETROIT DIESEL CORPORATION DDC-SVC-MAN-0189