Proper Coolant in a Cat 3116
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Printed Date: 27 Apr 2025 at 2:04pm
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Topic: Proper Coolant in a Cat 3116
Posted By: steelwheelAcjim
Subject: Proper Coolant in a Cat 3116
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2020 at 5:39pm
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Doing service on my '97 GMC 7500 with a Cat 3116. A sticker on the radiator says only Cat antifreeze should be used in this engine. What is special about Cat antifreeze?? There is green colored coolant in it now and has ran good with no problems. Does it have extra additives to prevent cavitation? Will normal traditional green antifreeze work? This is the first flush of the coolant system since we purchased the truck. I want to make the motor last. Thanks! ------------- Pre-WW2 A-C tractors on steel wheels...because I'm too cheap to buy tires! |
Replies:
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2020 at 6:21pm
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The CAT spec is ELC ( extended life coolant) or EC1 for heavy duty diesel truck applications.... Spec is similar to that used by FORD and GMC in "heavy " trucks. Look for ELC - Heavy Duty Extended Life ... on the jug.  ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2020 at 6:31pm
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What is special about Cat antifreeze?? There is green colored coolant in it now and has ran good with no problems. CAT does not make antifreeze.. Either does FORD or GM... They each have a SPEC and most of them are 99% the same.. "SOMEBODY" is making the stuff for each of them. The "old green" will work for a period of time, but is not the best, and can loose its addatives faster than the EXTENDED LIFE types. The BEST thing you can do for your antifreeze is change more often than suggested. ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: Red Bank
Date Posted: 19 Nov 2020 at 10:28pm
| Do not mix it. If you want to run the CAT ELC you need to flush the cooling system with lots of water. If it has green in it I would say someone in the past switched over to green. I would add SCA to the green and keep running it. |