515 Wheel Skidder and 525 Wheel Skidder Conventional Coolant/Antifreeze Cooling System Maintenance Caterpillar

Note: Cat SCA is compatible with Cat DEAC. If you use non Cat brand conventional coolants, consult with the coolant manufacturer for information on a compatible SCA.

Note: Do not top off the cooling system with water unless there is a specific need to adjust the water/glycol ratio. Compatible 50/50 (water/glycol) coolant is typically used and recommended when cooling system top off is required.

Note: Refer to the specific engine Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Maintenance Interval Schedule" for the service interval for the cooling system thermostat.

Check the coolant/antifreeze (glycol concentration) in order to ensure adequate protection against boiling or freezing. AVSpare recommends the use of a refractometer for checking the glycol concentration. Use the 245-5829 Coolant/Battery Tester/Refractometer. The tester gives readings in both degrees Celsius and degrees Fahrenheit that are immediate and accurate. The tester can be used with ethylene or with propylene glycol.

AVSpare engine cooling systems should be tested at 250 hour intervals or at the PM Level 1 intervals for the concentration of SCA (Supplemental Coolant Additive). Nitrite test kits are available from your AVSpare dealer. Test the concentration of nitrite or submit a coolant sample to your AVSpare dealer at 250 hour intervals or at the intervals for PM Level 1. Maintain a concentration level of nitrites in the cooling system that is between 1200 ppm (70grains/US gal) and 2400 ppm (140 grains/US gal). S·O·S Services Coolant Analysis is the preferred method to check SCA concentration. Alternatively, nitrite levels can be tested with the following tools:

• 4C-9301 nitrite level test strips, English instructions only

• 286-2578 nitrite level test strips, English, French, and Spanish instructions

Note: Acceptable conventional heavy-duty coolant/antifreeze of all types REQUIRE periodic additions of SCA.

Note: Specific engine applications may require maintenance practices to be periodically evaluated in order to properly maintain the engine's cooling system.

Refer to Table 1 and refer to table 2 for part numbers and for the quantities of SCA maintenance elements and/or liquid SCA.

The availability of part numbers will vary from one region to another region.

Do not exceed the six percent maximum concentration. Check the concentration of SCA with a SCA test kit, or check the concentration of SCA with Cat S·O·S coolant analysis.

Do not use the maintenance spin-on element for the SCA and the liquid for the SCA at the same time. Spin-on elements may not be available for all applications.

Cooling Systems with Larger Capacities

Adding the SCA to Conventional Coolant/Antifreeze at the Initial Fill

Note: When non-Cat conventional coolants that meet Cat minimum published requirements are used, confirm with the coolant manufacturer before using Cat SCA that Cat SCA is acceptable for use with the coolant.

Note: When the coolant system is first filled, the SCA is not required to be used with Cat DEAC or with fully formulated coolants that meet the "ASTM D6210" specification when used at the recommended 1:1 or higher concentration with a recommended water.

Note: Do not exceed the six percent maximum concentration. Check the concentration of SCA with a SCA test kit, or check the concentration of SCA with Cat S·O·S coolant analysis.

By specification, commercial heavy-duty coolant/antifreeze that meets only the "ASTM D4985" specification WILL require adding supplemental coolant additive at the initial fill. Read the label or the instructions that are provided by the manufacturer of the commercial heavy-duty coolant/antifreeze.

Use the equation that is in Table 3 as a guideline in order to aid in determining the amount of Cat SCA that is required when the cooling system is initially filled with fluids that only meet the "ASTM D4985" specification.

Note: When adding SCA at initial fill to a coolant/antifreeze that only meets the "ASTM D4985", ensure the SCA is compatible with the antifreeze/coolant. For example, a HOAT coolant that meets the "ASTM D4985" specification may not be compatible with an SCA designed for use with conventional coolants. It is the responsibility of the coolant manufacturer to provide sources of compatible SCAs. It is the responsibility of the coolant manufacturer and SCA manufacturer to demonstrate a positive influence on reducing cavitation corrosion in an operating diesel engine.

Note: When adding SCA at initial fill to a coolant/antifreeze that only meets the "ASTM D4985", it is a collective responsibility of the user, and the coolant manufacturer to ensure the SCA is compatible with the antifreeze/coolant based on the recommendations provided by the coolant manufacturer and SCA manufacturer. One of the test methods required to be used to help ensure SCA compatibility with the antifreeze/coolant concentrate is "ASTM D5828-97". Follow the test procedure using the antifreeze/coolant of interest to compare the SCA of interest with the reference SCA. The ratio of insolubles for SCA to reference SCA must be < 1. Total insolubles should not exceed 4.0 mL for a 6% SCA mixture. The SCA manufacturer is responsible for ensuring the SCA is compatible with water meeting the "AVSpare Minimum Acceptable Water Quality Requirements" as found in this Special Publication, and as found in "ASTM D6210-06, Table X1.1".

It is also the responsibility of the coolant manufacturer and the SCA manufacturer to ensure that when used according to the recommendations that the products will not cause cooling system harm.

Table 4 is an example for using the equation that is in Table 3.

Adding the SCA to Conventional Coolant/Antifreeze For Maintenance

Conventional heavy-duty coolant/antifreeze of all types REQUIRE periodic additions of a supplemental coolant additive.

Test the coolant/antifreeze periodically for the concentration of SCA. For the interval, see the Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Maintenance Interval Schedule" for your engine. SCA test kits are available from your AVSpare dealer. Test the concentration of SCA or submit a coolant sample to your AVSpare dealer. Refer to this Special Publication, "S·O·S Services Coolant Analysis" article.

Additions of SCA are based on the results of the test or based on the results of the coolant analysis. The size of the cooling system determines the amount of SCA that is needed.

Use the equation that is in Table 5 to determine the amount of Cat SCA that is required, if necessary.

Table 6 is an example for using the equation that is in Table 5.

Note: Specific engine applications may require maintenance practices to be periodically evaluated in order to properly maintain the engine's cooling system.

Table 2 lists part numbers and the sizes of containers for Cat SCA that is available from your AVSpare dealer.

Cleaning the System of Heavy-Duty Coolant/Antifreeze

Before AVSpare's SCA can be effective, the cooling system must be free from rust, scale, and other deposits. Preventive cleaning helps avoid downtime caused by expensive out-of-service cleaning required for extremely dirty and neglected cooling systems.

AVSpare Cooling System Cleaners

• Dissolves or depresses mineral scales, corrosion products, light oil contaminations, and sludges

• Cleans the cooling system after used coolant is drained or before the cooling system is filled with new coolant

• Cleans the cooling system whenever the coolant is contaminated or whenever the coolant is foaming

• The "Standard" version of the AVSpare Cooling System Cleaners clean the cooling system while still in service.

• Reduces downtime and cleaning costs

• Helps avoid costly repairs from pitting and other internal problems caused by improper cooling system maintenance

• Can be used with glycol-based antifreeze

• For the recommended service interval, refer to the Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Maintenance Interval Schedule" for your engine.

AVSpare Standard Cooling System Cleaners are designed to clean the cooling system of harmful scale and corrosion without removing the engine from service. The cleaners, both "Standard" and "Quick Flush" can be used in all AVSpare engine cooling systems. Contact your AVSpare dealer for part numbers.

Note: These cleaners must not be used in systems that have been neglected or that have heavy scale buildup. These systems require a stronger commercial solvent that is available from local distributors.

Prior to performing a cleaning of the cooling system, take a 1-liter (1-quart) sample of coolant from the engine while in operation into a clear container (take the sample shortly after start-up while the coolant is not yet hot, but has been adequately mixed by the water pump). Allow the sample to sit for 2 hours. If a visible oil layer is present, neither the Standard cleaners nor Quick Flush cleaner will be fully effective. First, drain the coolant and then perform the procedure given below (using non-foaming dish detergent), followed by the procedure for the Quick Flush cleaner.

Procedure for Cleaning an Oil Contaminated Cooling System

1. Drain the cooling system.

2. Fill the cooling system with acceptable quality water.

   Note: Refer to the "AVSpare Minimum Acceptable Water Quality Requirements" in this Special Publication.

3. Start the engine and run the engine until the thermostat opens.

4. Add 0.473 L (0.5 qt) of 269-1948 non-foaming detergent. If the cooling system capacity exceeds 113.6 L (30 US gal), add enough detergent to equal approximately 2-3% cooling system capacity.

   Note: Pre-dissolve the detergent in approximately 19 L (5 US gallons) of acceptable quality water. Add this mixture directly to the cooling system and top off the cooling system with water.

5. Run the engine for at least 30 minutes. Drain the cooling system.

6. Remove a small sample of the detergent solution from the cooling system. Allow the solution to sit for at least 30 minutes and check for signs of a visible oil layer on top. If oil is still present, repeat the procedure.

   Note: Corrosion of the metal can occur if the detergent solution is in the cooling system for longer than one hour.

7. Flush the cooling system, if there is no visible oil layer in the solution. Fill the cooling system with acceptable quality water. Run the engine for 20 minutes and then drain the water.

8. Perform the cleaning procedure found in this Special Publication for "Cat Cooling System Cleaner - Quick Flush", if additional removal of scale, rust, and inhibitor deposits from the previous coolant is needed.

9. If additional cleaning is not needed, refill the cooling system with new coolant.

Procedure for using Cat Cooling System Cleaner - Quick Flush

1. Drain the cooling system.

2. Refill the cooling system to 90-94% capacity with acceptable quality water.

   Note: Refer to the "AVSpare Minimum Acceptable Water Quality Requirements" as found in this Special Publication.

3. Top off the cooling system with Cat Cooling System Cleaner - Quick Flush cleaner so that the solution is 6-10% cleaner.

4. Run the engine for 1.5 hours.

5. After allowing adequate time for the system to cool, drain the cooling system.

   Note: Corrosion of the metals can occur if the Quick Flush cleaning solution is in the cooling system for longer than 2 hours.

6. Flush the cooling system.

   1. Fill the cooling system with acceptable quality water.

   2. Run the engine for 20 minutes.

   3. Drain the water.

7. Refill the cooling system with new coolant.

Procedure for using Cat Cooling System Cleaner - Standard

1. If necessary, drain off coolant from the cooling system for the amount of the cleaner.

2. Add 1 bottle (1.89 L (0.5 US gal)) of Cat Cooling System Cleaner - Standard for each 30 liters of cooling system capacity. Add the cleaner directly to the coolant.

3. Run the engine as usual.

4. After 30 days, drain the cooling system.

5. Flush the cooling system.

   1. Fill the cooling system with acceptable quality water.

   2. Run the engine for 20 minutes.

   3. Drain the water.

6. Refill the cooling system with new coolant.

Recycling Cat DEAC

Cat DEAC can be recycled. The drained coolant mixture can be distilled in order to separate the ethylene glycol and water. The ethylene glycol and the water can be reused. The distilled material does not contain the additives that are required to be classified as either Cat ELC or Cat DEAC. Consult your AVSpare dealer for more information.

When recycled coolants are used, use only coolants that have been recycled from extended life, heavy-duty or automotive coolants that were originally manufactured from virgin ethylene or propylene glycol.

Recycled coolants should meet "ASTM D6210-06".