Company Announcement - Although representing only a small percentage of a machine’s overall maintenance expenditure, the role that an engine’s coolant system plays in extending its mechanical life is critical. However, despite its importance, this remains a neglected area, reinforced by the fact that approximately 65% of all engine failures are related to coolant system contamination. “Today, machine owners are faced with a wide range of coolant products that vary widely in terms of quality and costs, making optimum selection difficult without an informed technical understanding of how these products will perform,” explains Barloworld Equipment group product specialist, Reuben Phasha. “This is particularly important in these tougher economic times, when there’s a temptation to select a cheaper product which may end up costing far more when an engine seizes or overheats. With either oil or fuel, performance problems are immediately apparent, but that’s not the case with coolants. By the time a problem occurs, it’s often too late.”

Typical signs of coolant failure include engine corrosion; low water pump life; and abnormally high operating temperatures in summer.

THE RIGHT BLEND
One of the key challenges in managing a coolant system is achieving the right blend upfront. Traditionally, coolants are mixed with water in a predetermined ratio. However, what often happens is that this blend is progressively diluted when coolant system reservoirs are topped up between scheduled service intervals.  As one of the world’s largest diesel engine manufacturers, Caterpillar’s engineers have responded to this challenge with the development of Cat Extended Life Coolant. “It’s an ‘all-in-one’ solution, with no mixing required since the correct distilled water / ELC composition has already been predetermined on an exact 50 / 50 split,” explains Phasha. “Unlike other conventional coolants, you simply keeping topping up, where required, with no concerns about mix dilution or contamination.” At around 6 000 hours, the addition of a Cat extender will take ELC life to 12 000 hours.

Meeting Caterpillar’s EC-1 specification and exceeding ASTM standards, Cat ELC incorporates an advanced formulation containing organic additive corrosion inhibitors. Ethylene-glycol based for anti-boil and freeze protection, the absence of phosphates or silicates is another important feature as this virtually eliminates hard water deposits, significantly extending water pump seal life. Additionally, nitrates and molybdates have been added to reduce steel corrosion and cast iron liner and block pitting. “Unlike other coolant standards, EC-1 requires field testing,” explains Phasha. “The qualification progress is rigorous and to obtain the EC-1 rating Cat’s ELC had to operate for a minimum of 7 000 hours in six Cat engines, with samples taken every 500 hours. At the end of the test, these engines were disassembled to assess the condition of the components. Significantly, there was no evidence of corrosion or pitting, scale or deposits on the cylinder liners, radiator core, water pump parts, cylinder head water passages and thermostat housing. Cat’s ELC passed with flying colours.”