Re: [A/S] Ford Powerstroke Cooling Systems

["Harvey Barlow" <harveybarlow@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Sam,

I only know what I have read on the subject.  Cavitation erosion is unique
to Powerstroke engines among turbodiesel engines used in pickup and other
light trucks but is also common among some of the larger, over the road
truck engines.  It is a factor of engine block design, cylinder walls and
coolant passages, not the radiator.  The Cummins ISB5.9 engines used in
Dodge trucks and the Isuzu engine used in Chevy/GMC trucks are not subject
to this problem.

As Tom said, if you follow your owner's manual and add the coolant additive
as specified, you will not experience a problem from cavitation erosion.  If
the owner is unaware or unconcerned and does not use the additive, erosion
of the engine block can result in holes between coolant passages and
cylinders.  It first shows up in neglected and high mileage engines by loss
of coolant.  Once erosion occurs, the only cure is to sleeve the cylinder or
cylinders or replace the engine.  This would obviously be an expensive cure.

Harvey