Since the invention of the internal combustion engine, it has been essential that the engine is cooled to prevent it ceasing up. This has typically been done either by forcing air cooling across fins on the periphery of the engine block or with the use of water circulating within a jacket around key parts of the engine.
An engine liquid coolant system is a set of various parts that allow liquid coolant to flow through passages in the engine. The system comprises a series of channels cast into the engine block and cylinder head, surrounding the combustion chambers with circulating water or other coolant to carry away excessive heat. The coolant is usually a mixture of water and antifreeze, which helps to stop the water in the system from freezing under normal cold weather conditions and it also increases its boiling point. A pump, driven by a pulley and belt from the crankshaft, drives hot coolant out of the engine to the radiator, where a fan forces ambient air across it cooling the water before it is returned to the engine block. Most modern engines have a sealed cooling system so they shouldn’t need topping up, unless, of course, they’ve sprung a leak in some way. Engine coolant levels should be regularly checked (see manufacturers guide) so any problems can be spotted early.
For many years the coolant used in most engines was a mix of local drinking water and antifreeze (of various types). Locally sourced tap waters contain minerals in various quantities depending on sources geographical location. Over time these minerals form deposits at various locations within the engine leading to corrosion of the cooling channels, less effective cooling of the engine, hardening of flexible coolant pipework higher risk of pump cavitation again leading to reduced cooling efficiency and potential over heating of the engine.
There are several types of coolant used in diesel generators today which include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, water, hybrid coolant, and coolant additives.
The aim of these additives is to:
Coolant versus Antifreeze
Coolant Differentiators
Coolant composition
The component parts of the engine coolant each play a critical part in how the product performs and the impact its performance has on efficiency of the engine itself
There are two types of glycols in the market, ethylene and propylene
Glycol is a commodity item and there is little variation in quality unless recycled is used. Glycol is included in coolants for the following purposes:
The additives included within engine coolant provide protection against corrosion, cavitation and a build-up of scale. These specially selected additives are the main point of differentiation between coolants. There are three types of Additives or Inhibitor Syrups:-
All of these additive types can be used with Ethylene Glycol or Propylene Glycol
The final addition to a coolant product is a dye which does not provide any performance improvement but is there to provide an indication of the type of coolant being used. In general industry follows this convention:
Kohler’s Genuine Coolant is a Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT) product which is a mix of both inorganic salt and organic acid technologies. Kohler’s formulation contains silicates and may also be referred to as an Si-OAT(SilicatedOrganic Acid Technology) which provide the long life of OAT additives with the fast-acting benefit of Inorganic salt additives.
Kohler’s genuine coolant products have been formulated based on years of experience and many tens of thousands of engine running hours. It uses the very highest quality elements which include:
Kohler’s coolant is a low silicate formulation or NAP free. Kohler chose a low silicate concentration to provide the following benefits:
A typical engine maintenance regime would include a coolant system flush followed by coolant replacement every three years. The extended life of the Kohler coolant product means: –
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