Russ T. BretellManager – Education

Coolant Analysis

Coolant Analysis

Setting the Stage:

– Functions of the cooling system

– Challenges to the cooling system

Supplemental Coolant Additives (SCAs)

Why we should be concerned about pH

Coolant Analysis

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Functions of the Cooling System:

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Absorb Engine Heat Circulate

Dissipate/Radiate Control

Current Trends:

Higher engine operating temperatures

– Fuel Economy, Emission Regulations, Clean Burn

• Emission Control Devices

• Exhaust Gas Recirculation

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Poor Coolant Maintenance Programs Leads to Serious Problems

Corrosion

Scaling

Oil Fouling

Aeration

Liner Pitting

Cavitation

Erosion

Water Pump Seal

Failures

Silicate Gellation

Cummins Confidential

Challenges to Key Cooling System Components

Why Supplemental Coolant Additives? (SCA)

Additives provide protection against:

– Scale & Corrosion

– Foaming

– Rust

– Cavitation and Erosion

– Liner pitting

– Changes in pH

– Metal Protection:

• Iron

• Aluminum

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Common Coolant Additives

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•Coolant additives are typically classified as being either organic or

inorganic.

•Organic additives contain Carbon and are often used in acid

or azole form

•Inorganic additives do NOT contain carbon and are often

used in salt form

Organic

Common Inorganic Additives

Inorganic Additives

• Nitrite: Ferrous metal protection and liner pitting protection

• Nitrate: Aluminum protection

• Silicate: Aluminum protection

• Molybdate: Protects all system metals plus works very well with

nitrite to protect liners

• Phosphate: Buffer plus ferrous metal & aluminum protection

• Borate: Buffer and ferrous metal protection

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Common Organic Additives

Azoles

Tolyltriazole (TT) and Benzotriazole (BT): Copper/Brass

protection

Organic Additives

Benzoic Acid: Iron and Aluminum protection

T-Butyl Benzoic – Iron and Aluminum protection

Adipic Acid: Aluminum protection

Sebacic Acid: Iron and Aluminum protection

DDA - Iron and Aluminum protection

2-Ethylhexanoic Acid (2EH): Iron and Aluminum protection

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What is good water?

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Demineralized or Deionized

Make-Up Water Quality Kit CC2609

Determines the suitability of “shop

water” for use in coolant

Ensures coolant make-up water meets

OEM, TMC, and ASTM

Specifications

Checks – Hardness

Chloride Levels

pH Levels

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Maintenance Products

Coolant Types

Conventional– Mostly inorganic additives (borate, nitrate, silicate, nitrite, etc)

– Usually lower cost, but with shorter service interval

Hybrid– Combination of inorganic and organic additives

– “Biggest bang for your buck” (balanced cost, overall performance, and extended service interval)

– Typical additives include borate, nitrite, nitrate, silicate, phosphate, Molybdate, etc in combination with organic acids.

OAT (Organic Acid Technology)– Mostly organic acids (benzoic, Sebacic, Adipic, etc) and NO nitrite,

amines, or phosphate (NAP)

– Longest service interval, but usually at a higher cost

– Global Coolant - contains no additives to which OEM’s object

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Good

Better

Best

Extended Service vs. Extended Life Coolants

Service Interval: the interval at which the system should be re-inhibited

with SCAs

Extended Life: the useful life of the coolant before condemnation due

to TDS: Chlorides, sulphates, as well as pH.

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Why concerns over pH?

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Acidic pH

Over time, acid levels in the

coolant increase. This will

lead to further corrosion, as

well as the faster depletion

of the additives. Buffering

agents are included in a

good, Fully Formulated

Coolant to maintain proper

pH levels.

X

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Monitor Coolant Condition With

Quik-Check™ CC2618Measures levels of pH, Sulfate,

and Chloride for overall Coolant

Quality

Minimizes unnecessary draining

of Coolant still within

specifications

Determines when coolant

breakdown and/or contamination

occurs

Maintenance Products

• The CC2718 kit is a pass/fail test that

determines the existing coolant’s condition

• Condemnation Limits indicated on the

CC2718 test kit include:

– Chlorides Pass under 200 ppm

– Sulphates Pass under 1500 ppm

– pH level Pass between 7 and 11

Check Existing Coolant

Quik-Chek™ CC2718

3-Way Test Kit CC2602

Pads measure

% Glycol/Freeze-Point, Molybdate, and Nitrite

Used with conventional and hybrid coolants

Uses Nitrite and Molybdate to determine SCA units per gallon

SCA units is an measure of the coolant’s ability to protect liners

Not for use in Nitrite free OAT coolants

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Maintenance Products

4-Way Test Kit CC8997

Used only with Non-Nitrite

Organic Acid Technology (OAT)

coolants

The 4-Way test kit contains two

types of test strips and a bottle of

test reagent

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Maintenance Products

Steps to Cooling System Maintenance

1. Start with a clean system

2. Test with a condemnation kit

3. OK: move forward; NOT OK, drain, clean, replace

4. Test with a Three Way test kit for proper freeze point and SCA

amount

5. Ensure correct balance of coolant/water – 50/50

6. Top up with Fully Formulated Coolant and SCA’s as necessary

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