Did I use the wrong coolant?

[juanprado]

O reilly has it.

Some of the newer yellow colored will mix with green.

Dexcool and plain ole green do not mix well.

 

[KKroger]

I like this product from PEAK it is Ethylene Glycol

 

[87cr250r]

The type of glycol isn't the issue, it's the corrosion inhibitors. Google inorganic acid technology vs organic acid technology, vs hybrid organic acid technology. The key is to pick one and don't contaminate it. Some types of radiators can be damaged by the IAT and HOAT coolants. The only example I know of are brazed aluminum radiators used by John Deere. Some diesels need additional cavitation protection. Fully formulated generally refers to cavitation protection. If you do go with a conventional IAT coolant they need regular supplementation (SCA).

 

[dmak]

So finally I did find coolant where on the back of it clearly says IT IS for Detroit diesel engine .

 

[87cr250r]

With a few exceptions there are no wrong coolants today. Just make sure you don't mix them. John Deere brazed aluminum radiators can be damaged by nitrites so that is one example of an exception.

The original Detroits ran on soluble oil. The don't care what you put in them but they last a lot longer if you use modern coolants.

The DDC approval doesn't mean much. DDC is owned by Tognum International/MTU. It's German and bound by the EU to remove toxic components like sodium nitrite (the corrosion inhibitor that makes a coolant fully formulated).

Pick a coolant that protects against liner cavitation if necessary, flush the system, dose correctly, and run that coolant. That's all you need to do. Any coolant that advertises itself as fully formulated should do that.

 

[Dieselmeister]

I have been running Prestone Command SCA precharged purple anti freeze since as far back as I remember. My 1995 6.5 now has over 200K miles, with the original water pump. The newer bottles even state Detroit Diesel Certified.

I also run a Wix coolant filter.

Prestone COMMAND Cooling System Antifreeze Concentrate 1 gal (US) PAF AFC10000 | Buy Online - NAPA Auto Parts