International Truck and Engine Corp offers these tips for servicing diesel engines that use conventional coolant:
- Check coolant level daily. Top off leaks with a 50/50 mixture of the same antifreeze and water and SCAs at the recommended concentration.
- Use distilled water, not tap water, in the cooling system. Distilled water does not contain chlorine or solids, which corrode the engine.
- Check the coolant for clarity. If the antifreeze is not doing its job, it will cause rust contamination, which colors the water.
- Check the water hose condition and pliability. The cooling system performs a dual function of transferring heat from the engine and from the lubricating system. If the oil cooler fails, oil can leak into the cooling system and make the hoses too soft. In addition, age can cause hoses to become brittle. Problems with the hose can lead to leaks and downtime.
- Check coolant SCA concentration every 12,000 miles, 450 hours, or six months using a test kit. Customers either can purchase a test kit from a dealer or have the dealer test the level. If the concentration is off, the SCAs must be replaced with the correct level of units. Consult a dealer when calculating the number of units that need to be added, as miscalculation can cause engine damage.
- Change coolant filter every 24,000 miles, 900 hours, or 12 months.
- Flush and refill the cooling system every 100,000 miles, 3,800 hours, or 24 months.
- Check the engine operating manual for specific cooling system maintenance guidelines.
