1975 John Deere, coolant additive

[dt995]

I have a 1975 John Deere 2030, and I was about to change the coolant. Well, I was going to top it up and I thought I might as well be diligent and change it all.

The manual goes so far as to say "Ethylene Glycol", and stops, I guess that was as far as the technology went back then.

On obsessively reading around the subject more, it seems I must make sure that it is IAT (not OAT), and I can find ethylene glycol IAT, that's good.

But then you read a bit more and find people talking about cavitation around the piston sleeves, and a supplemental coolant additive (SCA) to prevent that.

e.g.

Anti Cavitation Treatment?

I recently read that diesel engines need anti cavitation fluid added to the coolant. Does this apply to my 1973 diesel 3000? If so where can I get it? I called auto parts stores and the Case/New Holland dealer, no one knows what I'm talking about

www.yesterdaystractors.com

But I can't find anywhere that sells it. Any ideas?

 

[Sharpy]

Any good quality ethylene glycol antifreeze will do the job fine, I suspect the additive is for climates with no antifreeze requirement.

 

[milkloss]

Put some cool guard 2 in it. Should do the job and compatible with virtually everything I think

 

[dt995]

From https://www.mowers-online.co.uk/john-deere-cool-gard-ii-coolant-amp-anti-freeze-vc76215-005

> Cool-Gard II has been optimized with a nitrite-free, tri-organic additive formulation to maximize corrosion protection for extended performance periods. We have replaced the nitrite additive with three organic elements to provide extended cavitation protection and longer service than traditional formulations.

"organic elements" sounds like OAT, which I read I shouldn't use in this old thing.

 

[eharney]

Yeah keep Cool-Gard II into her. The Deere tend to be very fussy for coolant hopefully the old stuff wont be too rusty or murky looking. I know my JD3130 had water in it for years and looks awful but we keep Cool- Gard II to her now

 

[JeremyD]

Cool gard as above, 2130 and 1120 and many others of ours have run it for years no problem.

 

[milkloss]

From https://www.mowers-online.co.uk/john-deere-cool-gard-ii-coolant-amp-anti-freeze-vc76215-005

> Cool-Gard II has been optimized with a nitrite-free, tri-organic additive formulation to maximize corrosion protection for extended performance periods. We have replaced the nitrite additive with three organic elements to provide extended cavitation protection and longer service than traditional formulations.

"organic elements" sounds like OAT, which I read I shouldn't use in this old thing.

maybe. My understanding was that is a hybrid oat, use it in our 6920 which is ally/cast/rubber/plastic etc. I also believe you're supposed to throw it out if it goes acidic (below ph7).

 

[dt995]

Nick Young says just to use Ethylene Glycol, particularly for the hours I run it (I think I probably added 12 hours to the clock last year) so I'm going with that for now.

I rang a couple of John Deere dealerships, the first had "Cool Gard II" on an answer card for anything and didn't even pretend to consider the vintage, etc, the second was more reasonable and said he'd ask upchain but never got back to me.

 

[colhonk]

Use your Ethylene Glycol but buy a big drum of Distiled water to use with it

 

[startinghandle]

Use your Ethylene Glycol but buy a big drum of Distiled water to use with it

and use 50/50 mix

 

[Hesston4860s]

JD cool gard II

 

[ACEngineering]

Nick Young says just to use Ethylene Glycol, particularly for the hours I run it (I think I probably added 12 hours to the clock last year) so I'm going with that for now.

I rang a couple of John Deere dealerships, the first had "Cool Gard II" on an answer card for anything and didn't even pretend to consider the vintage, etc, the second was more reasonable and said he'd ask upchain but never got back to me.

Standard will be just fine but to improve it you could use distilled water with it.
Mix plenty strong at 50/50.

Trouble with OAT is as I understand it you cant mix it with normal antifreeze. I have heard that it can set like jelly if you do!
Bepco rep spoke about a customer once were they had sold there normal blue stuff and it did exactly this but he didnt know why?

 

[milkloss]

Cool guard does mix with blue..... goes a kind of ugly green colour!! Boy grabbed the wrong juice and had to drain it when I realised. Was ok for a week or two though.

 

[ReidyNZ]

Flush first with suitable flush agent, rinse several times till clear water, treat with IRONTITE (do as it says on the tin) then add Ethyl Glycol

 

[Ioan annwyl]

Nick Young says just to use Ethylene Glycol, particularly for the hours I run it (I think I probably added 12 hours to the clock last year) so I'm going with that for now.

I rang a couple of John Deere dealerships, the first had "Cool Gard II" on an answer card for anything and didn't even pretend to consider the vintage, etc, the second was more reasonable and said he'd ask upchain but never got back to me.

Use John Deere Cool Guard Il and lubricants for peace of mind.

 

[Ioan annwyl]

I can sleep tonight now, I've got back to you