Proper Additions to the Cat ELC (Extended Life Coolant)
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Use only Cat products or commercial products that have passed the Caterpillar EC-1 specification for pre-mixed or concentrated coolants. Use only Cat ELC Extender with Cat ELC. Do NOT use conventional SCA with Cat ELC. Mixing Cat ELC with conventional coolants and/or conventional SCA reduces the Cat ELC service life. Do NOT mix brands or types of coolant. Do NOT mix brands or types of SCA and/or brands or types of extenders. Different brands or types may use different additive packages to meet the cooling system requirements. Different brands or types may not be compatible. Do not mix brands or types of coolants with different brands or types of SCA or extender. Cat Extender is compatible with Cat ELC. If using non Cat EC-1 coolant, refer to the coolant manufacturer for information on a compatible extender. Failure to follow the recommendations can reduce cooling system component life unless appropriate corrective action is performed. |
In order to maintain the correct balance between the antifreeze and the additives, you must maintain the recommended concentration of ELC. Lowering the proportion of antifreeze lowers the proportion of additive. This will lower the ability of the coolant to protect the system from pitting, from cavitation, from erosion, and from deposits.
During daily maintenance, use the premixed Cat ELC as a cooling system top-off. This will bring the coolant up to the proper level. Check the specific gravity of the coolant system with the 245-5829 Coolant/Battery Tester/Refractometer . This tester gives readings that are immediate and accurate in both degrees Celsius and degrees Fahrenheit. Use Cat 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 that is filled with Cat ELC. Do not use conventional SCA. Only use Cat ELC Extender in cooling systems that are filled with Cat ELC. |
Do not top-off the cooling system with water unless there is a specific need to adjust the water/glycol ratio. Compatible 50/50 (water/glycol) coolant is typically used and recommended when cooling system top-off is required.
Cat ELC Extender
Cat ELC Extender is added to the cooling system halfway through the ELC service life. Treat the cooling system with ELC Extender at 483 000 km (300,000 miles) or 3 years. Use Table 1 in order to determine the proper amount of ELC Extender that is required.
Containers of several sizes are available. Consult your Caterpillar dealer for the part numbers.
| Cat ELC Extender Additions by Cooling System Capacity | |
| Cooling System Capacity | Addition of ELC Extender |
22 to 30 L (6 to 8 US gal) |
0.57 L (20 fl oz) |
31 to 38 L (9 to 10 US gal) |
0.71 L (24 fl oz) |
39 to 49 L (11 to 13 US gal) |
0.95 L (32 fl oz) |
50 to 64 L (14 to 17 US gal) |
1.18 L (40 fl oz) |
65 to 83 L (18 to 22 US gal) |
1.60 L (54 fl oz) |
84 to 114 L (23 to 30 US gal) |
2.15 L (72 fl oz) |
115 to 163 L (31 to 43 US gal) |
3.00 L (100 fl oz) |
164 to 242 L (44 to 64 US gal) |
4.40 L (148 fl oz) |
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When using Cat ELC, do not use conventional SCAs, or, if equipped, SCA maintenance elements. In order to avoid SCA contamination of a Cat ELC system, remove the SCA element base and plug off or bypass the coolant lines. |
Cat ELC Cooling System Cleaning
Note: If the cooling system is already using Cat 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 Cat ELC is drained from the cooling system.
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.
A Level II coolant analysis by S·O·S Services is recommended after cooling system cleaning and refill in order to ensure proper additive levels are present and in order to ensure there are no excessive levels of physical contaminants and chemical contaminants.
Recycling Cat ELC
Cat ELC can be recycled into conventional coolants. 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. The distilled material does not contain the additives that are required to be classified as either Cat ELC or Cat DEAC. Consult your Caterpillar dealer for more information. Recycled coolants should meet "ASTM D6210-06"
Changing to Cat ELC
To change from heavy-duty coolant/antifreeze to the Cat 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" and to Special Publication, PECJ0003, "Cat Shop Supplies and Tools" for tools and supplies suitable to collect and contain fluids on Caterpillar products. Dispose of all fluids according to applicable regulations and mandates. |
- Drain the coolant into a suitable container.
- Dispose of the coolant according to local regulations.
- If equipped, remove the empty SCA maintenance element and remove the element base. Plug the coolant lines or bypass the coolant lines.
- Flush the system with clean water in order to remove any debris.
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Do not leave an empty SCA maintenance element on a system that is filled with Cat ELC. The element housing may corrode and leak causing an engine failure. Remove the SCA element base and plug off or by-pass the coolant lines. |
- Use Cat cleaner for cooling systems in order to clean the system. Follow the instructions on the label. Consult your Caterpillar dealer to determine the appropriate cleaner type and to obtain the corresponding part number.
- Drain the cleaner into a suitable container. Flush the cooling system with clean water.
Note: Deposits that remain in the system may be loosened and removed by the Cat ELC.
- In systems with heavy deposits, it may be necessary to disconnect the hoses. Clean the deposits and debris from the hoses and the fittings. Install the hoses and tighten the hose fittings. Refer to Specifications, SENR3130, "Torque Specifications" for the proper torques. Pipe threads may also need to be cleaned and sealed. Seal the threads with 5P-3413 Pipe Sealant .
- Fill the cooling system with clean water and operate the engine until the engine is warmed to 49 °C to 66 °C (120 °F to 151 °F).
- Drain the cooling system into a suitable container and flush the cooling system with clean water.
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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. |
- Repeat Steps 8 and 9 until the system is completely clean.
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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. |
- Fill the cooling system with the Cat ELC.
- Operate the engine until the engine is warmed. While the engine is running, inspect the engine for leaks. Tighten hose clamps and connections in order to stop any leaks.
- Attach the Special Publication, PMEP5027, "Label" to the cooling system filler for the engine in order to indicate the use of Cat ELC.
Note: Clean water is the only flushing agent that is required when Cat ELC is drained from the cooling system.
- A Level II coolant analysis by S·O·S Services is recommended after changing over to Cat ELC in order to ensure proper additive levels are present and in order to ensure there are no excessive levels of physical and chemical contaminants
Cat ELC Cooling System Contamination
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Mixing other products with Cat ELC reduces the effectiveness of the Cat ELC and shortens the Cat ELC service life. Use only Cat ELC Extender with Cat ELC. Failure to follow these recommendations can result in shortened cooling system component life. |
Cat ELC cooling systems can withstand contamination to a maximum of ten percent of conventional heavy-duty coolant/antifreeze and/or SCA before the advantages of Cat ELC are reduced. If the contamination exceeds ten percent of the total system capacity; perform ONE of the following procedures:
- If the cooling system contamination is caused by cooling system damage, follow the procedures under the "Changing to Cat ELC" heading. Also follow the procedures under the "Changing to Cat ELC" heading if the engine has been operated since being contaminated with more than ten percent conventional heavy-duty coolant/antifreeze and/or SCA. Certain types of cooling system contamination may require disassembly of the cooling system and manual cleaning of system components.
- If the cooling system is contaminated with more than ten percent conventional heavy-duty coolant/antifreeze and/or SCA, but the engine has not been operated, drain the cooling system into a suitable container. Dispose of the coolant according to local regulations. Thoroughly flush the system with clean water. Fill the system with the Cat ELC.
- Maintain the system as a conventional DEAC (Diesel Engine Antifreeze/Coolant) or other conventional coolant. If the SCA concentration is less than three percent, treat the system with an SCA. Maintain a three to six percent SCA concentration in the coolant. Change the coolant at the interval that is recommended for Cat DEAC or at the interval that is recommended for the conventional commercial coolants.
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Do Not Mix Brands and/or Types of Products. Mixing other products with Cat ELC reduces the effectiveness of the Cat ELC and shortens the Cat ELC service life. Use only Cat products or commercial products that have passed the Caterpillar EC-1 specification for premixed or concentrate coolants, and that have also passed the additional requirements for EC-1 as found in the coolant section of this Special Publication. Use only Cat ELC Extender with Cat ELC. Do NOT mix brands or types of coolants. Do NOT mix brands or types of SCA. Do NOT mix brands or types of extenders. Do NOT mix SCAs and extenders. Failure to follow these recommendations can result in shortened cooling system component life. |
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Use Only Approved SCAs and Extenders. Conventional coolants require the maintenance addition of SCA throughout their expected life. Do NOT use an SCA with a coolant unless specifically approved by the coolant supplier for use with their coolant. It is the responsibility of the coolant manufacturer to ensure compatibility and acceptable performance. In order to ensure expected performance, EC-1 coolants require the one time maintenance addition of an extender at coolant service mid-life. Do NOT use an extender with a coolant unless the extender has been specifically approved for use by the coolant manufacturer for use with the coolant. It is the responsibility of the coolant manufacturer to ensure compatibility and acceptable performance. Failure to follow these recommendations can result in shortened cooling system component life. |
Commercial Extended Life Coolant
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Caterpillar does not warrant the quality or performance of non-Caterpillar fluids. |
In order to be used in most Cat diesel engines cooling systems according to the service interval listed in this Special Publication for Commercial coolant that meets the Caterpillar EC-1 specification, the commercial extended life coolants must meet the following requirements:
- Caterpillar EC-1 specification
- The minimum performance requirements of the "ASTM D6210" specification
- The additional requirements that are stated in this Special Publication for EC-1 coolants
In Cat diesel engines, extended life coolant that does not meet both the Caterpillar EC-1 specification and the additional requirements that are stated in this Special Publication for EC-1 coolants cannot be used according to the service interval listed in this Special Publication for commercial coolant that meets the Caterpillar EC-1 specification. Follow the maintenance guide for the coolant from the supplier of the commercial extended life coolant. Use an extender that is recommended by the EC-1 coolant supplier at coolant in-service mid-life. Follow the Caterpillar guidelines for the quality of water and the specified coolant change interval
Coolants that pass all of the Caterpillar EC-1 specification requirements, and that complete the additional requirements stated in this Special Publication, have a recommended service life of 482,803 kilometers (300,000 miles), 6000 hours, or 6 years, which ever comes first.
Note: Coolants that meet the Caterpillar EC-1 specification requirements only meet the minimum Caterpillar requirements for extended life coolants.
Note: As they have not been tested against the Caterpillar EC-1 specification requirements, coolants that only claim to meet the performance requirements of the Caterpillar EC-1 specification may not meet all the minimum EC-1 specification requirements.
Note: The Caterpillar EC-1 specification describes the minimum requirements for extended life coolants.
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Because of the ongoing commitment to improve engine performance and life, Caterpillar places the following additional requirements on EC-1 coolants that will be used in most Cat diesel engine cooling systems in order to ensure optimal protection: - Organic Additive Technology (OAT) based on a combination of a monocarboxylic acid and a dicarboxylic acid - Phosphate, borate and silicate free - Minimum typical tolyltriazole level of 900 ppm for new coolants - Minimum typical nitrite level of 500 ppm in new coolants - The one time addition of an extender at in-service coolant mid-life in order to maintain the coolant nitrite level between 300 – 600 ppm |
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In order to be marketed as a product that meets Caterpillar EC-1, all Caterpillar EC-1 specification requirements must be met, including, but not limited to the following: - Physical and Chemical Properties - Compatibility Characteristics - Bench Testing - Field Testing (Including using the required radiator types, using the required minimum field test duration, using the required minimum number of diesel engines, and using the required Cat diesel engine models of the required minimum power rating.) |