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Never add coolant to an overheated engine. Engine damage could result. Allow the engine to cool first. |
During shipping and storage, the engine must be protected from damage that can be caused by freezing of the cooling system. If the engine is shipped to a site with freezing temperatures and/or if the engine is stored in a location with freezing temperatures, the cooling system must contain antifreeze that will withstand the lowest ambient temperature. Frequently check the concentration of glycol in the coolant/antifreeze. Ensure that the concentration is adequate in order to prevent freezing. Otherwise, the cooling system must be completely drained, including pumps and coolers..
For engines in any location, periodically check the concentration of the additives in the coolant/antifreeze. Ensure that the concentration is adequate in order to help prevent corrosion and other harmful conditions.
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Never operate an engine without water temperature regulators in the cooling system. Water temperature regulators help to maintain the engine coolant at the proper operating temperature. Cooling system problems can develop without water temperature regulators. |
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Fill the cooling system no faster than |
After a cooling system has been refilled, monitor the level of the coolant/antifreeze in the expansion tank. Maintain the level above the minimum mark until all of the air has been purged from the system. Then maintain the proper level for normal operation.
During normal operation, frequently check the level of the coolant/antifreeze in the expansion tank. If the level is low, add the proper mixture of coolant/antifreeze.
For engines in any location, check the concentration of the conditioner in the coolant/antifreeze according to the engine Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Maintenance Interval Schedule". Obtain an S·O·S coolant analysis (Level 1) or use the appropriate test kit. Ensure that the concentration is adequate in order to help prevent corrosion and other harmful conditions.
To further monitor the cooling system, obtain regular S·O·S coolant analyses (Level 2) according to the engine Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Maintenance Interval Schedule".
Recommended Coolant/Antifreeze
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Do not use Extended Life Coolant (ELC) with Cat Gas Engines. ELC was not formulated for use in Cat Gas Engines. Do not use heat transfer fluids in Cat Gas Engines. Use only the coolant/antifreeze that is recommended. |
The coolants that are recommended or acceptable for use in Cat Natural Gas Engines are listed in Table 2.
| Recommendations For Finished Coolants For Use In Cat Natural Gas Engines | ||||
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| Coolant Type | Recommendation | Product | Service Hours(1) (2) | Required Maintenance(3) |
| Cat NGEC, Cat DEAC, Cat SCA, Commercial Conventional Coolants | Preferred | Cat NGEC | 3000 hours or 3 years | SCA at maintenance interval |
| Acceptable | Cat DEAC
Cat SCA (water based)(4) |
3000 hours or 3 years | SCA at maintenance interval | |
| Min requirements for fully formulated heavy duty commercial coolants | ASTM D6210 and Nitrite (NO2) with the concentration: Min of 1200 ppm and max of 2400 ppm. Silicon concentration: min of 100 ppm and max of 275 ppm | 3000 hours or 2 years | SCA at maintenance interval | |
| Min requirements for commercial coolants requiring SCA precharge | ASTM D4985(4) and Nitrite (NO2) with the concentration: Min of 1200 ppm and max of 2400 ppm. Silicon concentration: min of 100 ppm and max of 275 ppm | 3000 hours or 1 year | SCA at maintenance interval | |
| Min requirements for commercial SCA and water(5) | Commercial supplemental coolant additive and water having Nitrite (NO2) with the concentration: Min of 1200 ppm and max of 2400 ppm. Silicon concentration: min of 100 ppm and max of 275 ppm | 3000 hours or 1 year | SCA at maintenance interval | |
| (1) | New Coolants at 50 volume percent diluted. Coolants that are prediluted at the coolant manufacturer must be diluted with water that meets Reagent 4 "ASTM D1193" requirements. |
| (2) | Maintain the in-service coolant at the given limits. |
| (3) | For appropriate maintenance procedures, refer to the details given in this procedure. For applications that allow the use of SCA and water, a minimum of 6 percent to a maximum of 8 percent concentration of Cat SCA are recommended. |
| (4) | Water-based coolants are not allowed for use in machines that has NOx reduction aftertreatment devices, in engines that has AATAC and in Marine engines that have SWAC. |
| (5) | There are currently no industry standards to define the quality of water-based conventional coolants. In order to control the quality of SCA and water coolants, the commercial SCA additive package should pass ASTM D6210 and/or ASTM D4985 when this package is used in a glycol based coolant. Do not use a commercial SCA additive package that only meets the ASTM D3306 or equivalent specification when used in a glycol based coolant. |
Preferred - Cat Natural Gas Engine Coolant (NGEC)
Cat coolants have been developed and tested in order to provide the full performance and service life that has been designed and built into Cat cooling systems. Cat NGEC coolant is currently used to fill Cat gas engines at the factory. This coolant is offered by Caterpillar dealers for continued use when the coolant is changed. Consult your Caterpillar dealer for more information on Cat coolants.
Alternatively, use Cat Diesel Engine Antifreeze/Coolant (DEAC) or a commercial heavy-duty coolant/antifreeze that meets "ASTM D6210" or "ASTM D4985" specifications.
Commercial coolants are, as a group, second choice.
Commercial heavy duty coolant/antifreeze can contain either ethylene glycol or propylene glycol. The coolant/antifreeze must contain 200 ppm (parts per million) silicates to 500 ppm silicates in concentrate or 100 ppm to 275 ppm silicates in a 50/50 mix. The coolant/antifreeze must be mixed with water that meets the properties that are listed in the Table in the “General Coolant Information” topic. The coolant/antifreeze must also have the correct concentration of Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA).
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Do not use a commercial coolant/antifreeze that only meets the ASTM "D3306" or equivalent specification. This type of coolant/antifreeze is made for light duty automotive applications. Use only the coolant/antifreeze that is recommended. |
Acceptable - In applications that do not require protection from boiling or from freezing, a mixture of Cat SCA and water that meets the properties that are listed in the “Caterpillar Minimum Acceptable Water Requirements” Table in the “General Coolant Information” topic is acceptable.
Note: The preferred coolant/antifreeze and the acceptable mixture of SCA and water require different concentrations of SCA. Refer to the “Supplemental Coolant Additive (SCA)” topic.
Table 2 is a list of the coolant/antifreeze that is recommended for Cat Gas Engines. The service life of the coolant/antifreeze that is used in Cat Gas Engines is also listed. In order to achieve this service life, the coolants must be properly maintained. The maintenance program includes S·O·S coolant analysis.
| Recommended Coolant/Antifreeze and Service Life of the Coolant/Antifreeze | |
| Coolant/Antifreeze | Service Life (1) |
| Cat NGEC | Three Years |
| Cat DEAC | |
| Commercial Heavy-Duty Coolant/Antifreeze that meets "ASTM D6210" | Two Years |
| Commercial Heavy-Duty Coolant/Antifreeze that meets "ASTM D4985" | One Year |
| Cat SCA and Water | Two Years |
| Commercial SCA and Water | One Year |
| (1) | The service life of coolant is also limited by use (service hours). Refer to the specific engine Operation and Maintenance Manual, "Maintenance Interval Schedule". |