FX686397 Force DECAL, PORT

Never operate without a thermostat in the cooling system. The thermostats maintain the engine coolant at the proper operating temperature.Never add coolant or water to an overheated engine, as engine damage can result. Allow the engine to cool first. Filling at over 5 U.S. gallon (19L) per minute can cause air pockets in the cooling system.Caterpillar does not recommend the use of cooling system solutions that are intended to stop leaks. Use of these products may result in engine damage.The engine cooling system contains a 50/50 antifreeze/water mixture from truck/vehicle OEM unless special requirements are defined. However, refer to your OEM dealer for information on your cooling system arrangement.
Coolant Mixture for Caterpillar Engines
Proper engine coolant is a combination of water, antifreeze and supplemental coolant additive. Each ingredient of the mixture must meet specific guidelines for the engine coolant to perform properly. The coolant mixture used in Caterpillar engines must provide the following functions.* Adequate heat transfer.* Cavitation erosion protection.* Freeze & boil protection.* Sludge & scale protection.* Corrosion protection.* Compatibility with system hoses & seals.Water (Coolant)
All water is corrosive at engine operating temperature. Distilled or deionized water is recommended because of less mineral drop out than hard or tap water. Tap water, even artificially softened with salt, is not recommended for use in your engine's cooling system.Calcium, magnesium, chlorides and sulfates are all minerals that make up the dissolved solids in the water. Excessive amounts of these minerals (in hard water) can combine with supplemental coolant additives (silicates and phosphates) to form sludge or scale deposits. They may also collect on hot internal engine surfaces and in the cooling system to reduce the effectiveness of the cooling system.If distilled or de-ionized water is NOT available, use water that meets the minimum acceptable requirements in the chart. To determine your water characteristics, contact the local water department, agricultural agent or an independent laboratory to perform the testing service. Antifreeze
Caterpillar recommends that the coolant mixture contain a minimum of 30 percent Caterpillar Antifreeze (or equivalent) with acceptable water to maintain an adequate cavitation temperature for efficient water pump performance. Antifreeze concentration should be selected to provide protection to the lowest expected outside (ambient) temperature.Check the specific gravity of the antifreeze solution frequently in cold weather to ensure adequate freeze protection. Pure undiluted antifreeze will freeze at -10°F (-23°C).Antifreeze concentrations that are above 60 percent antifreeze to 40 percent water are NOT recommended because the higher concentrations limit the ability of the coolant mixture to absorb supplemental coolant additive.
Use Caterpillar Antifreeze or any low silicate (ethylene or propylene glycol) antifreeze that meets ASTM D4985-89 requirements. Most commercial antifreezes are formulated for gasoline engine applications and have high silicate content. Caterpillar Antifreeze is formulated with a low silicate content and the proper coolant additives for heavy duty diesel engines.Caterpillar Antifreeze is available through your Caterpillar dealer in quantities that follow. Adding pure undiluted antifreeze as a makeup solution for cooling system top-off is an unacceptable practice. Add antifreeze premixed with acceptable water to the same freeze protection as your cooling system. Use the Antifreeze Concentration chart to assist in determining the concentration of Caterpillar Antifreeze to use. Check the coolant solution frequently in cold weather for glycol concentration with the 5P0957 or 5P3514 Coolant Tester (for Caterpillar products) to ensure adequate freeze protection. The testers are identical except temperature scales (°F or °C) and give immediate accurate readings for antifreeze/coolants that contain ethylene or propylene glycol. Both testers are available at your Caterpillar dealer.
If propylene glycol based antifreeze is used, the measurement of freeze protection must be made with a refractive-type tester (5P0957 or 5P3514) rather than the hydrometer-type tester available. The hydrometer-type tester can be used to test ethylene glycol based antifreeze.
Supplemental Coolant Additive (Conditioner or Inhibitor)
The cooling system MUST contain supplemental coolant additives (conditioner or inhibitor) to control corrosion, cavitation and deposits. It is also necessary to prevent rust, scale, pitting and/or corrosion of engine parts contacted by coolant. The cooling system should be protected with a minimum of three percent concentration at all times, regardless of the concentration of antifreeze. Use supplemental coolant additive liquid OR an element (if equipped) to maintain a three to six percent concentration in the cooling system.
Never use coolant in Caterpillar engines without supplemental coolant additive regardless of antifreeze concentration.Caterpillar or other manufacturer's products can be used as the supplemental coolant additive. DO NOT mix Caterpillar Supplemental Coolant Additive (Conditioner) liquid or elements with the other commercial products available; select a cooling system treatment and use it exclusively.Excessive concentration of supplemental coolant additive can form deposits which may cause engine damage, reduce the engine's heat transfer characteristics and could also accelerate water pump seal wear.
Use the 8T5296 Test Kit to check and monitor the SCA concentration for antifreeze/water coolant mixture. The Caterpillar 8T5296 Test Kit checks for concentration of nitrates in the coolant solution. Some other manufacturers' supplemental coolant additive (SCA) are phosphate based and the 8T5296 Test Kit will NOT provide accurate results. Caterpillar recommends that their test kit be used to check coolant solution concentration.If other than Caterpillar products are used as the supplemental coolant additive, follow the manufacturers' recommendation for cooling system treatment and test evaluation. Commercial supplemental coolant additive products must contain silicates and a minimum of 70 gr/U.S. gallon (1200 ppm) nitrites.Caterpillar liquid supplemental coolant additive (Conditioner) is available through your Caterpillar dealer in quantities that follow. Pre-charge
Caterpillar Antifreeze DOES NOT require supplemental coolant additive added at initial fill, however additive is required on a maintenance basis. For systems equipped with supplemental coolant additive elements, the last MAINTENANCE element should not be replaced at FLUSH & FILL or Overhaul until the next PM Level 1 interval. Maintenance
Use the 8T5296 Test Kit to test and monitor the SCA concentration in the coolant mixture to determine your c