changing anti freeze

[Anonymous-0]

How often should I change anti freeze in my 4020 diesel? thanks

 

[johns48jdb]

i think that most will tell you every 2 years and probably will depend on how much your using the tractor. i never completely change the antifreeze in any thing. i open the drain cock on the radiator and let all the fluid run out that will and then put a minimumm of 1 1/2 gallons of antifreeze back in and top off with water.

 

[buickanddeere]

What ever you do, never ever use tap water. Demin or distilled water only. Otherwise you are doing more harm than good.
I just use the test strips and add corrosion inhibiter when required. It"s the only part of "anti-freeze" that wears out.

 

[LarrySTN]

It really depends on how much the tractor is used. It is the use that causes the coolant to become acicic. If you're running several hundred hours or more a year, I would say every two years. There are test kits available to test the coolant. I think your John Deere dealer has them. Changing too often is costly, not often enough is costly.

 

[Dave in SV]

Uh oh... I have been using tap water mixed with antifreeze. What are the consequences, and should I be losing sleep over this?!?!?!? Should I be doing something right away?

 

[Kemper]

I have never used distilled water,or never heard of anyone else using it either,i guess i have been abusing my cooling systems for 30 years,but wait,i've never had a problem from using tap water....

 

[buickanddeere]

Is the following data wrong?

http://manuals.deere.com/cceomview/OMKV11663_C1/Output/kv11663c19.html

If using concentrate, mix approximately 50 percent antifreeze with 50 percent distilled or deionized water before adding to cooling system. This mixture will provide freeze protection to -37 C (-34 F).

http://www.howtodothings.com/automotive/a3498-how-to-replace-a-radiator.html

1. Fill the radiator with fluid. The coolant should be composed of 50:50 ratio of water and antifreeze. Some extremely cold climates may require a higher ratio. Use an antifreeze tester available at any auto parts store to analyze your coolant composition.

It's a good idea to use distilled water instead of regular tap water. Tap water will do if you're in a pinch, but distilled water lacks minerals that will cause buildups of insoluble salts on the inside of the radiator.

http://www.techguys.ca/howto/coolant_flush.html

Now that the cooling system is empty, replace the radiator drain plug and refill the cooling system with distilled water only. The reason that you should only use distilled water at this point is to avoid mineral deposits which will deteriorate your cooling system over time.

http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/radiator.php
Next you want to premix your coolant with distilled water. Your owner's manual will have guidelines for mixing ratios depending on what temperatures you plan on riding in. Remember, water actually cools the most efficiently but provides no lubrication and no protection from the cold. Pure antifreeze has great lubrication and cold protection but does little for cooling. Water Wetter provides no protection from the cold. But don't scrimp on the distilled water here, all those minerals and hard water don't lubricate so well and inhibit cooling capabilities. I like to use an empty antifreeze bottle for mixing antifreeze/coolant and distilled water, and then mark it with a Sharpie as "mixed" or "pure" accordingly.

http://www.cooldirect.ca/catalog/installation.php

Fill the system with a new 50/50 solution of the proper coolant and deionized or distilled water as recommended by the vehicle manufacturer. Coolant pre-mixes may also be used. Be sure to replace your coolant with the same kind that was removed (refer to your owner's manual to identify the coolant used in your vehicle).

 

[61-4010]

I also suggest using JD Liquid Coolant Conditioner (TY16004) to prevent issues with cavitation and liner pitting. Trust me...it is well worth the few bucks! (see pics). Result of this poor coolant maintenance by the previous owner was a new block and a total rebuild kit.

 

[Anonymous-0]

The downside of tap water is its potential for depositing dissolved minerals as scale. At a neutral pH, pure water is actually more corrosive to metal than mineralized tap water.

It's probably OK to use tap water if you only have to add water infrequently. The "dose" of scale you'll get in a filling once every two or three years probably won't amount to much. However, if you're having to top off regularly (leaks/wrong cap/overheating, etc.), then you're better off using pure water.

 

[buickanddeere]

Adding tap water from around here makes the interior of the rad turn white with scale.