KIT-SEAL 1113203 - Caterpillar

Coolant Information
Diesel engine operating temperatures have increased to improve engine efficiency. This means proper cooling system maintenance is especially important. Overheating, overcooling, pitting, cavitation erosion, cracked heads, piston seizures and plugged radiators are common cooling system failures.Maintenance practices may need re-evaluation to properly maintain the engine's cooling system. It is important that this section be read carefully.
Caterpillar recommends that the coolant mixture contain a minimum of 30% Caterpillar Antifreeze, or equivalent. Liquid supplemental coolant additive must be added, when not using Caterpillar Antifreeze, which contains proper additive.Never add coolant water to an overheated engine, engine damage can result. Allow the engine to cool first.All water is corrosive at engine operating temperature. The cooling system should be protected with a 3% to 6% concentration of liquid supplemental coolant additive at all times, regardless of the concentration of antifreeze.Excessive supplemental coolant additive greater than the recommended 6%, together with concentrations of antifreeze greater than 60% can cause deposits to form and can result in radiator tube blockage, overheating, and/or water pump seal damage.DO NOT use Dowtherm 209 Full-Fill coolant. Dowther 209 Full-Fill coolant is not compatible with other antifreeze and coolant mixtures.If the engine is to be stored in, or shipped to, an area with freezing temperatures, the cooling system must be protected to the lowest expected outside (ambient) temperature.
Check the specific gravity of the antifreeze solution frequently in cold weather to ensure adequate freeze protection.Clean the cooling system if it is contaminated, if the engine overheats, or if foaming is observed in the radiator.Coolant should be drained, the system cleaned and new coolant added Every Two Years or 200,000 miles (322 000 km). This interval is based on a 10 gal (38 L) OEM radiator capacity.After draining and refilling the cooling system, operate the engine with the radiator filler cap removed until the coolant reaches normal operating temperature and the coolant level stabilizes. Add coolant mixture as necessary to fill the system to the proper level.Filling at over 5 U.S. gal (20 L) per minute can cause air pockets in the cooling system. Never operate without a thermostat in the cooling system. Cooling system problems can arise without a thermostat. Refer to Know Your Cooling System, SEBD0518 and Coolant and Your Engine, SEBD0970 for more detailed specifications.Coolant Water
The minerals (calcium and magnesium) in hard water can combine with cooling system conditioner additives (silicates and phosphates) to drop out of solution and collect inside the radiator.The minerals (silicates, phosphates, calcium and magnesium) can also accumulate onto hot engine surfaces and reduce the effectiveness of the cooling system, especially after a number of heating and cooling cycles.Distilled water is recommended because of less mineral drop out (potential or severity) than hard or tap water. Tap water, artificially softened with salt, is not recommended for use in your engine's cooling system. Use water that meets the minimum acceptable water requirement to prevent drop-out of these chemical compounds.To determine your water characteristics, contact the local water department, agricultural agent or an independent