Proper additions to the Extended Life Coolant
Note: Do not add ELC Concentrate as a makeup solution for maintaining the correct coolant level. The addition of the concentrated Extended Life Coolant will increase the concentration of glycol in the cooling system.
During daily maintenance, use the premixed ELC as a cooling system top-off. This will bring the coolant up to the proper level. Use ELC or use a coolant that meets Caterpillar specifications (EC-1). Check the specific gravity of the coolant system with the 1U-7298 Coolant/Battery Tester (Celsius) or with the 1U-7297 Coolant/Battery Tester (Fahrenheit). Use ELC Concentrate to restore the proper glycol concentration in the coolant system. This should be done before the engine is exposed to freezing temperatures.
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Do not use a conventional coolant to top-off a cooling system using Extended Life Coolant. Do not use supplemental coolant additives (SCA) other than Extender in cooling systems filled with Extended Life Coolant. |
Caterpillar ELC Extender is added to the cooling system halfway through the ELC service life. Treat the cooling system with ELC Extender at
Containers of several sizes are available. Consult your Caterpillar dealer for the part numbers.
| Caterpillar ELC Extender Additions by Cooling System Capacity | |
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When using Caterpillar ELC, do not use standard SCA's or SCA filters. To avoid SCA contamination of an ELC system, remove the SCA filter base and plug off or by-pass the coolant lines. |
Note: If the cooling system is already using ELC, cleaning agents are not required to be used at the specified coolant change interval. Cleaning agents are only required if the system has been contaminated by the addition of some other type of coolant or by cooling system damage.
Clean water is the only cleaning agent that is required when ELC is drained from the cooling system.
ELC can be recycled. The drained coolant mixture can be distilled in order to remove the ethylene glycol and the water. The ethylene glycol and the water can be reused. Consult your Caterpillar dealer for more information.
After the cooling system is drained and after the cooling system is refilled, operate the engine while the cooling system filler cap is removed. Operate the engine until the coolant level reaches the normal operating temperature and until the coolant level stabilizes. As needed, add the coolant mixture in order to fill the system to the proper level.
To change from heavy-duty coolant/antifreeze to the Caterpillar ELC, perform the following steps:
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Care must be taken to ensure that fluids are contained during performance of inspection, maintenance, testing, adjusting and repair of the product. Be prepared to collect the fluid with suitable containers before opening any compartment or disassembling any component containing fluids. Refer to Special Publication, NENG2500, "Caterpillar Dealer Service Tool Catalog" for tools and supplies suitable to collect and contain fluids on Caterpillar products. Dispose of all fluids according to local regulations and mandates. |
- Drain the coolant into a suitable container.
- Dispose of the coolant according to local regulations.
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NOTICE Do not leave an empty SCA filter on an ELC system.
The filter housing may corrode and leak causing an engine failure.
Remove the SCA filter base and plug off or by-pass the coolant lines.
- Remove the empty SCA filter and remove the filter base. Plug the coolant lines or bypass the coolant lines.
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NOTICE Improper or incomplete rinsing of the cooling system can result in damage to copper and other metal components.
To avoid damage to the cooling system, make sure to completely flush the cooling system with clear water. Continue to flush the system until all signs of the cleaning agent are gone.
- Flush the system with clean water in order to remove any debris.
- Use Caterpillar cleaner to clean the system. Follow the instructions on the label.
- Drain the cleaner into a suitable container. Flush the cooling system with clean water.
- Fill the cooling system with clean water and operate the engine until the engine is warmed to
49 to 66 °C (120 to 150 °F) . - Drain the cooling system into a suitable container and flush the cooling system with clean water.
Note: The cooling system cleaner must be thoroughly flushed from the cooling system. Cooling system cleaner that is left in the system will contaminate the coolant. The cleaner may also corrode the cooling system.
- Repeat Steps 7 and 8 until the system is completely clean.
- Fill the cooling system with the Caterpillar ELC.
- Attach the Special Publication, PEEP5027, "Label" to the radiator in order to indicate the use of Caterpillar ELC.
ELC Cooling System Contamination
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Mixing ELC with other products reduces the effectiveness of the ELC and shortens the ELC service life. Use only Caterpillar products or commercial products that have passed the Caterpillar EC-1 specification for premixed or concentrate coolants. Use only Caterpillar ELC Extender with Caterpillar ELC. Failure to follow these recommendations can result in shortened cooling system component life. |
ELC cooling systems can withstand contamination to a maximum of ten percent of conventional heavy-duty coolant/antifreeze or SCA. If the contamination exceeds ten percent of the total system capacity, perform ONE of the following procedures:
- Drain the cooling system into a suitable container. Dispose of the coolant according to local regulations. Flush the system with clean water. Fill the system with the Caterpillar ELC.
- Drain a portion of the cooling system into a suitable container according to local regulations. Then, fill the cooling system with premixed ELC. This should lower the contamination to less than 10 percent.
- Maintain the system as a conventional Diesel Engine Antifreeze/Coolant (DEAC). Treat the system with an SCA. Change the coolant at the interval that is recommended for the conventional Diesel Engine Antifreeze/Coolant (DEAC).
If Caterpillar ELC is not used, then select a commercial ELC that meets the Caterpillar specification of EC-1 and either the "ASTM D5345" specification or the "ASTM D4985" specification. Do not use an extended life coolant that does not meet the EC-1 specification. Follow the maintenance guide for the coolant from the supplier of the commercial ELC. Follow the Caterpillar guidelines for the quality of water and the specified coolant change interval.