Antifreeze in 05 CTD.

Antifreeze in 05 CTD. - 07/30/13 08:35 PM

My 05 CTD has 70,000 miles on it with the original factory coolant. I want to change it despite the fact that they say it will last 100,000 miles. Do I have to use the Special coolant recommended by Dodge that has HOAT or can I just use regular antifreeze?
Thanks Mike

Posted By: kenworth_goose

Re: Antifreeze in 05 CTD. - 07/30/13 09:44 PM

If it has "Deathcool" get it out! flush with lots of water. Refill with green or extended life antifreeze.

Posted By: sixpack4spd

Re: Antifreeze in 05 CTD. - 07/30/13 10:25 PM

Use the right stuff. You can buy Zerex G-05 at NAPA or CarQuest or buy the factory stuff from the dealer. Ford dealer sells the stuff too. It's all about the same price. $13-$15 per gallon.

Posted By: 70satelliteguy

Re: Antifreeze in 05 CTD. - 07/31/13 12:47 AM

"If it has "Deathcool" get it out!"

kenworth_goose could you explain what this is?

So from what I am understanding that there is a special kind of antifreeze for CTD trucks? does that mean that good old Prestone will not work properly or will damage my truck?

Thanks MIke

Posted By: dusturbd340W5

Re: Antifreeze in 05 CTD. - 07/31/13 01:27 AM

Quote:

"If it has "Deathcool" get it out!"

kenworth_goose could you explain what this is?

So from what I am understanding that there is a special kind of antifreeze for CTD trucks? does that mean that good old Prestone will not work properly or will damage my truck?
Thanks MIke

ok its pretty simple really
his deathcool= Dexcool which is only in GM cars and I wont even get into that debate
Your Cummins came from the factory with HOAT coolant do not mix it with the plain old green stuff of years gone by. You can either spend a lot of time flushing and draining to get it all out then you can run what ever you want.
Or you can get the HOAT coolant from the dealer and drain and fill or there is also a universal coolant from Preston and others that they say you can mix with any coolant.

Posted By: J_BODY

Re: Antifreeze in 05 CTD. - 07/31/13 02:17 AM

It's time..... Get three gallons of coolant at the dealer. Put a 5 gallon bucket under the petcock and let her drain. Mix 50/50 with distilled water. Gaskets and seals were designed around using that coolant.

Posted By: old_goat

Re: Antifreeze in 05 CTD. - 07/31/13 03:25 AM

Just a suggestion, if you have a big truck shop nearby, see if they can check the acidity levels in the antifreeze after you flush and refill. It just uses test strips.
It will tell you if need to repeat flush and fill soon.
I have seen some nasty things happen with neglected cooling systems on big trucks.
It is routine for us at every periodic maint.
Co I work for runs over 100 trucks. We are the main terminal here, and get the major stuff from all our other yards over NM, TX, OK, and MO.
I agree, use distilled water!

Posted By: Twostick

Re: Antifreeze in 05 CTD. - 08/09/13 01:21 AM

X2 on the test strips. Checks the Ph level and a couple of other things like freeze point. If the levels are off it will cause cavitation pits to eat thru the cylinders. Fleetgard sells a DCA (no clue what it stands for but it's critical stuff for a diesel) additive to correct this and the KW or whatever dealer will have it in stock and it's cheap.

If you can add a coolant filter, Fleetgard sells a pre-charged filter that will maintain the DCA and anti corrosion levels. Test with the strips every oil change and change the filter accordingly. Coolant should last almost forever then.

Kevin