Perkins 904F-E28T Operation And Maintenance Manual page 54

54
Maintenance Section
Fluid Recommendations
Water
NOTICE
Never use water alone as coolant. Water alone is cor-
rosive and does not provide any protection against
boiling or freezing.
Water is used in the cooling system to transfer heat.
Distilled water or deionized water is
recommended for use in engine cooling systems.
DO NOT use the following types of water in cooling
systems: Hard water, softened water that has been
conditioned with salt and sea water.
If distilled water or deionized water is not available,
use water with the properties that are listed in Table 5
.
Table 5
Acceptable Water
Property
Chloride (Cl)
Sulfate (SO )
4
Total Hardness
Total Solids
Acidity
For a water analysis, consult one of the following
sources:
• Local water utility company
• Agricultural agent
• Independent laboratory
Additives
Additives help to protect the metal surfaces of the
cooling system. A lack of coolant additives or
insufficient amounts of additives enable the following
conditions to occur:
• Corrosion
• Formation of mineral deposits
• Rust
• Scale
• Foaming of the coolant
Many additives are depleted during engine operation.
These additives must be replaced periodically.
Additives must be added at the correct concentration.
Over concentration of additives can cause the
inhibitors to drop out-of-solution. The deposits can
enable the following problems to occur:
Maximum Limit
40 mg/L
100 mg/L
170 mg/L
340 mg/L
pH of 5.5 to 9.0
• Formation of gel compounds
• Reduction of heat transfer
• Leakage of the water pump seal
• Plugging of radiators, coolers, and small passages
Glycol
Glycol in the coolant helps to provide protection
against the following conditions:
• Boiling
• Freezing
• Cavitation of the water pump
For optimum performance, Perkins recommends a
50 percent by volume of glycol in the finished coolant
(also referred to as 1:1 mixture).
Note: Use a mixture that will provide protection
against the lowest ambient temperature.
Note: 100 percent pure glycol will freeze at a
temperature of −13 °C (8.6 °F).
Most conventional antifreezes use ethylene glycol.
Propylene glycol may also be used. In a 1:1 mixture
with distilled or deionized water, ethylene and
propylene glycol provide similar protection against
freezing and boiling. Refer to Table 6 and refer to
table 7 .
Table 6
Ethylene Glycol
Concentration
50 Percent
60 Percent
NOTICE
Do not use propylene glycol in concentrations that
exceed 50 percent glycol because of the reduced
heat transfer capability of propylene glycol. Use ethyl-
ene glycol in conditions that require additional protec-
tion against boiling or freezing.
Table 7
Propylene Glycol
Concentration
50 Percent
M0125147
Freeze Protection
−36 °C (−33 °F)
−51 °C (−60 °F)
Freeze Protection
−29 °C (−20 °F)