Coolant Selections and Maintenance
This section covers selection of the required coolant for the engine.
Extended Life Coolants
Extended Life Coolant (ELC) contain Organic Acid Technology (OAT) which provide corrosion protection and inhibit liner cavitation. These coolants require less maintenance over the useful life of the engine.
ELC antifreeze coolants are commercially available from Detroit™ (recommended) and other manufacturers as either concentrated or pre-mixed formulations. Concentrated antifreeze coolants should be mixed at 50% (50% antifreeze/50% water). All ELC's used must also meet Detroit 93K217 specification. Detroit™ requires that these types of coolants to be free of nitrite and phosphate. Detroit™ has found that ELC's containing nitrite may lead to a breakdown of the coolant and subsequent damage to the cooling system.
These types of coolants should not be mixed with Standard Life Coolants. 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.SLC Antifreeze Coolants
Standard Life Coolant (SLC) contain inhibitor salts, including nitrites, to prevent liner cavitation. These coolants require interval testing to maintain inhibitor concentration.
SLC antifreeze coolants are commercially available from Detroit™ (recommended) and other manufacturers as either concentrated or as pre-mixed antifreeze. Concentrated antifreeze coolants should be mixed at 50% (50% antifreeze/50% water). All fully formulated coolants used must also meet Detroit 93K217 specification.