SCAs/DCAs in Wix/NAPA or Luberfiner filters

[bullwinkle]

Need opinions (& hopefully experiences) with using DCA-4 and coolant filters containing it on an older ('89) 7.3 IDI Ford/IH diesel-bought a truck that has a Ford factory reman engine in it w/only 27K on the motor-but the PO has no idea what SCAs are (& there's none in the system!)! Fortunately the coolant is still in decent looking shape, going to use Peak made Full Force low-silicate green, with 8 units/1 quart of SCA-4, then going to use coolant filters once a year to maintain it. I found a website-filterbarn "dot com" that has UNBELIEVABLY low prices on Luberfiner & WIX coolant filters-but I've read that NAPA/WIX "isn't as good" as Fleetguard, can't find much on Luberfiner, sorry about the long-windedness, can the BITOG masters help??

 

[sdan27]

As far as coolant filters go, I think they are all pretty close to the same. While filtering is useful, I think coolant filters are more useful in adding DCA to your cooling system. With most coolant filters, all the DCA is immediately added to the system as soon as coolant flows through it. I know Fleetguard and a few others offer higher end, much more expensive, filters that release the additive at a slower rate as needed. You should get coolant test strips so you can test the coolant additive in the system so you only have to add as needed. Too much can be hard on a cooling system, especially water pump seals. Are you looking to use 8 units SCA per quart of system capacity? That seems pretty high to me. With the pint sized bottles of DCA Fleetguard offers, typically, two pints per 8 gallons coolant is enough.

 

[bullwinkle]

Actually, what I've been reading is that NAPA/WIX, Luberfiner, & CAT all seem to use the older DCA-2 technology, & Fleetguard/Cummins makes the DCA-4 tech for Navistar, Ford, and others-the test strips for each type don't seem to work well together. I've also read that DCA-4 can get "out of balance" with regard to nitrite vs. molybdenate (sp?) levels-I kind of think that if DCA-2 is good enough for CAT-it's probably good enough for me. The general rule is 8 "units"/2 pints/1 quart for a 7.3 (7 gallon capacity cooling system), but I've also read that anywhere between 1.5 to 3 units per gallon is recommended?? Sounds WAYY too high!

 

[sdan27]

The Fleetguard test strips will work for either. I wouldn't doubt that Wix test strips are similar. With DCA2, the nitrite level will always be zero so you just take the reading off the molybdate level. One of the main advantages of DCA4 is that it is supposed to be much less toxic than the DCA4 but I doubt you'd see much difference in performance. Usually they say to keep the DCA at 1.5 to 3 like you said. If the level gets past 3 units per gallon, you stop changing the filter or adding DCA until the level comes back down below 3.

 

[mechanicx]

I think DCA-4 is better, but DCA-2 is good too. I think both contain nitrite but maybe DCA-4 has less nitrites because molybdate is added. DCA-4 should provide better aluminum protection and better protection overall. DCA-4 uses molybdate and phosphate. I think .8 units per liter is the maximum and .5 units per liter is typical. It should be between .3-.8 units/L. CAT does not allow phosphate probably because of concerns of hard water being used is why they use DCA-2.

I think there are slow-release filters and fast charge ones. Although Fleetguard makes it seem like you can add DCA-4 to maintain a DCA-2 coolant, I think I'd pick one or the other and use it only. Then either choice should get the job done.

Fleetguard SCA

I think if you get Fleetcool it is already precharged with DCA-2. I've seen it at NAPA.

Fleetcool

 

[bullwinkle]

Well, found some Penray 2-way test strips @ a Kenworth dealer-but not only were they extremely pricy ($23.95 for 25 strips)-but EVERY BOTTLE was expired by at least a YEAR & A HALF!! So, I'm going to give the Fleetguard ones a try & see if I can get a consistent reading from them. Appreciate the info, though!