coolant guide

8/10/2019 Coolant Guide

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COOLANT MAINTENANCEVisual Appearance

PROBABLE CAUSE POTENTIAL DAMAGE

Color should be clear and bright

Oil in Coolant free from oil or petroleum products oil cooler rubber seal or core leaks; loss of heat transfer, liner and water pump

(can cause seal failures) combustion gas blow-by into the coolant seal damage,block head water passageseal damage

Non-Magnetic/Magnetic Precipitate free from precipitate, flocculent, algae, bacteria, improper coolant use, air leaks, water pump seal abrasion, increased soft metal

and/or sludge (outside contaminants entering the defective electrical grounds corrosion (copper & aluminum), liner pittingsystem or coolant chemical dropout); magnetic around lower sealsprecipitate should be a trace or less

NOTE: Sample appearance alone does not determine w hether a potentially harmful problem exists within the cooling system.

Antifreeze/Glycol %

RECOMMENDATIONS PROBABLE CAUSE POTENTIAL DAMAGE

Too Low Antifreeze level will vary by Improper mixing of bulk coolant Coolant may boil or the blockapplication and elevation at which may freezethe system operates Topping off with water only Can cause cavitation and/or

Engines operating at 195 or above corrosion damagemust be at 50% for boil point control

Too High Engines operating at 5000 ft. and above Improper mixing of bulk coolant Loss of heat transfershould maintain a 55-60% antifreeze level Topping off with glycol concentrate Cavitationto prevent coolant boiling Pitted liners

Marine applications must maintain Seals may fail50-60% antifreeze if the system

operates above 195pH


Too Low Conventional Coolant:8.5 to 11 Coolant is plain water Corrosion on iron components as ELC Formulation: typically 7.0 to 8.5; Source water does not meet engine well as other metals in the system

if pH is above 9.0, possible ELC and manufacturer specifications Electrolysis pitting through linersconventional coolant mixing Ethylene glycol is beginning Corrosive attack on engine block

Correct cause of drop in pH to decompose Possible corrosion protection Coolant is burnt chemicals precipitate out of solution Combustion gas leak Acid type cleaner used and not

flushed thoroughly

Specific Conductance


Normally this level will be between Improper source water The inability of the coolant to resist1000 and 6500 micromohos Combustion gas leak carrying an electrical current between

When level is excessive, find cause Antifreeze level too high the dissimilar metals of an enginesand correct Inhibitor level too high cooling system

Inhibitor being added too many times Engine becomes a wet cell batteryover an extended period of time

Total M etals


Metal Borderline Concern Problem Air leaks Metal corrosion Electrical ground problems Liner Pitting Combustion gas leaks Corrosion or erosion of any iron Localized over heating components Improper coolant maintenance Improper source water being used

Conventional Coolant ComponentsEthylene/Propylene Glycol

Freeze Point Suppression Boil Point Elevation

Phosphate Iron Protection pH Control

Borate

Iron Protection pH ControlSilicate

Aluminum Corrosion ProtectionNitrite

Cast Iron and Steel ProtectionNitrate

Aluminum and Solder Corrosion ProtectionMercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) and Tolytriazole (TT)

Copper and Brass ProtectionBlock Polymers

Defoamant Scale and Deposit Control

NOTE:Be sure to check your supplemental coolant additive and glycol levels at every oil change toensure proper protection. Coolant should be tested imm ediately if there is a drop in SCA levels.

Extended Life Coolant ComponentsEthylene Glycol

Freeze Point Suppression & Boil Point ElevationPotassium Soap of Dibasic Carboxylic Acid

Iron, Solder and Aluminum ProtectionPotassium Soap of M onobasic Carboxylic Acid

Aluminum and Iron (w/sebacate) ProtectionNitrite

Cast Iron and Steel ProtectionMolybdate Iron Corrosion Protection (w/nitrite)

Tolytriazole Copper Corrosion Protection

Modified Silicone Defoamant Defoamant

NOTE:Mixing ELC formulations with a conventional coolant will degrade ELCbenefits. If changing from a conventional to an ELC product, be sure to cleanand flush the system thoroughly first unless conversion fluid is used.

GUIDE TO COOLANT AND COOLING SYSTEM MAINTENANCECOOLANT COMPOSITION AND FUNCTION

Iron 15 25 35

Copper 5 10 15

Aluminum 5 10 15

Lead 15 25 35

Zinc 15 25 35

Tin 15 25 35

8/10/2019 Coolant Guide

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SCALING POTENTIAL

Total Hardness


(calcium and Conventional coolant: less than 80 ppm Improper source water Scale formation that can be hardmagnesium) ELC coolant: less than 60 ppm Venting problem and insulating

Have source water analyzed Seawater contamination Lack of heat transfer

Silicon

RECOMMENDATIONS PROBABLE CAUSE POTENTIAL DAMAGE(corrosion inhibitor Depends on coolant formulation; ASTM Improper source water Loss of lubricationfor aluminum specification is not to exceed 250 ppm Poor coolant maintenance practices Increased ring bearing wearprotection; also found silicon in a conventional coolant for Hot spots due to loss of heat transferin some source heavy-duty diesel engines Burnt valveswater) ELC coolants normally have lower levels

Automotive coolants have higher levelsdue to more aluminum in system

Phosphate


(corrosion inhibitor Should not exceed 10,000 ppm Over treatment of SCA Inability for the coolant to maintainfor iron protection) Over treatment of glycol the phosphate in a soluble state

Excessive phosphate in antifreeze Heavy precipitation due to phosphateformulation falling out of solution

Plugging of radiator and oil coolers

Supplemental Coolant Additives


Too Low The SCA level refers to an additive Electrical ground problem Coolants can form sludge over anin conventional coolant Maintenance chemicals are not extended period of time

Corrosion protection chemicals refer sufficient for metal protection Corrosion protection chemicalsto Extended Life Coolants or Extenders and to prevent sludge from forming insufficient for proper metal

Levels will vary depending on brand protectionof coolant used; 1000 ppm combinedof nitrite and molybdate is sufficientfor proper protection

Too High Supplemental coolant additive/corrosion Addition of chemicals excessive Silicate and/or phosphateprotection levels should be tested every for engine application can form deposits500 hours in the field by strip or dropper Adding inhibitor without Can plug radiator coremethod and every 1000 hours or 6 months checking present level and after coolersin the lab

APPLICATION RECOMMENDATIONS DRY LAND AND MARINE

Use only water you know meets specifications,preferably distilled or deionizedwater.

Maintain proper levels of antifreeze (50-60%) and supplemental coolantadditives. May use antifreeze if desired in older engines operating at 160.

Change coolants as per engine manufacturers specifications.

Make sure all systems are airtight and hold pressure. Be sure electrical grounds are clean and secure; one-half volt will destroy an

engine in a very short period of time. Have coolants analyzed every 1000 hours or every 6 months, whichever comes

first.

Corporate Headquarters: 7898 Zionsville Rd Indianapolis, IN 46268 Phone: 877-808-3750 www.polarislabs.com

Products and Services Coolant Analysis-Levels I, II & III Failure Analysis Field Testing Training

Cooling Systems-Maintenance Training& Consultations

NOTE:Even the best coolant maintenance cannot prevent some catastrophic engine failures.

COOLANT M AINTENANCE (continued)

INDIANAPOLIS HOUSTON SALT LAKE CITY

ACID PITTING POTENTIAL

Sulfate


The lower the better Improper source water Sulfate can build or form acid Sulfate at 600 ppm and greater Combustion gas leaks such as sulfuric

Sulfuric acid cleaner previously used Combine with calcium to form scaleand not properly removed from system

Glycolate


Less than 1000 ppm Localized overheating Ethylene glycol breaking down to Correct the localized overheating Air leak form acids such as oxalic

or air leak Coolant will be burnt and produce afoul solvent odor as well as take ona varnish characteristic

Metal pitting

Chloride


Less than 80 ppm Improper source water Extremely corrosive to engine Correct source of chloride Defective pressure relief valve or cap components

on radiator Decarbonizes iron Aging coolant Can form hydrochloric acid Use of hydrochloric acid type cleaners Failure to remove all the cleaner upon

flushing the engine Improper venting

Seawater leak

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