WIRE AS 2624855 - Caterpillar

General Coolant Information
Several industry sources claim that forty percent of all engine failures are due to cooling system problems. Many of these failures could be avoided with proper cooling system maintenance. Cooling system maintenance is as important as fuel and lubricating system maintenance. Coolant quality is as important as the quality of fuel and lubricating oil.The three main coolant functions provide:* adequate heat transfer and anti-boil protection,* cavitation erosion and corrosion protection,* anti-freeze protection.Coolant is normally composed of three elements:* Water* Additives* GlycolA brief discussion of each of these elements follows.Water
Distilled or deionized water is recommended for use in cooling systems. DO NOT use hard, tap water or salt softened tap water in engine cooling systems. If Distilled or deionized water is NOT available, use water that meets the Minimum Acceptable requirements listed in the following chart.
Water that does not meet the Minimum Acceptable limits will reduce engine service life when used in cooling systems.
If you are not sure of your water's contents, contact your Caterpillar dealer, your local water department, agricultural agent, or an independent laboratory to analyze the water.Additives
Additives must be included in all coolant mixtures. Additives help prevent the formation of rust, scale and mineral deposits. Additives protect metals from corrosion, prevent liner cavitation, and contain anti-foaming agents. Additives deplete during engine operation and need to be replenished. This is done through the addition of supplemental coolant additives (SCAs, with conventional coolants) or Extender (with Caterpillar Long Life Coolant/Antifreeze).Nitrites or nitrite and molybdate additives protect the cylinder liner from cavitation corrosion. Nitrites deplete, creating the need for SCAs or Extender. SCAs and Extender also contain other inhibitors that deplete from cooling systems.Under-concentration of additives does not provide the protection required for cooling systems. Over-concentration can cause additives to drop out of solution, deposit inside the cooling system, or form a gel in the radiator. Deposits can be in the form of sludge and scale which accumulate on hot engine surfaces, reducing cooling system effectiveness, or causing water pump leaks.To maintain conventional cooling system protection, it is necessary to monitor SCA concentration. Incorrect SCA concentration requires action to return proper additive levels to the cooling system.Glycol
Engine coolant glycol is normally one of two varieties, ethylene or propylene. Glycol raises the boiling point of water to help prevent boil-over, provides freeze protection, helps prevent water pump cavitation, and reduces cylinder liner pitting.
For ambient temperatures requiring lower freeze protection (higher than 50 percent glycol), use ethylene glycol. DO NOT use propylene glycol.
Proper anti-freeze/boil protection requires the proper ratio of glycol and Acceptable Water. Use the following charts to determine glycol concentrations to mix with Acceptable Water. Check the coolant solution periodically to ensure adequate anti-freeze/boil protection. Use the 1U-7298 Coolant Tester (°C) or use the 1U-7297 Coolant Tester (°F). The Testers give immediate, accurate readings and can be used with ethylene or propylene glycol. For more detailed specifications, refer to: Know Your Cooling System, SEBD0518, and Coolant and Your Engine, SEBD0970, or contact your Caterpillar dealer.Caterpillar Coolant Recommendations
*