TERRAGARD RC 888 helped a mining company overcome recurring heavy equipment overheating, declining radiator performance, and corrosion within the engine cooling system. After the system was cleaned and treated, operating temperatures stabilized, coolant circulation improved, and no new scale or corrosion was found during inspection.
The result came from two linked steps: mechanical causes and deposits were checked first, then the coolant inhibitor was applied at the correct concentration. For a similar case, prepare system volume, top-up history, operating temperature, radiator condition, and deposit photos before selecting TERRAGARD RC 888 heavy equipment coolant.
Technically reviewed: 10 August 2026.
Case Study Overview
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Industry | Mining |
| Primary challenge | Recurring overheating, reduced radiator performance, corrosion, and scale formation |
| Operational risk | Engine damage, equipment failure, prolonged downtime, and higher maintenance costs |
| Application concentration | 33.3% of the total cooling-system water volume |
| Key product | TERRAGARD RC 888 |
| Main result | Stable engine temperature and restored coolant circulation |
| Protection achieved | No new corrosion or scale formation during field inspection |
| Equipment condition | Reliable operation under extended hours and heavy mining workloads |
A buyer reviewing a heavy equipment coolant overheating and corrosion case should not start from product claims alone. The useful evidence is the before-after temperature trend, system volume, application concentration, deposit photos, top-up records, and inspection results after field operation.
Challenge
One of the mining company’s heavy equipment units began experiencing serious operational problems. The machine repeatedly overheated, radiator performance declined significantly, and inspections identified visible corrosion, scale, and residue buildup across several cooling-system components.
These deposits restricted coolant circulation and reduced the system’s ability to transfer heat effectively. In a mining environment, where equipment operates under continuous exposure to dust, high ambient temperatures, vibration, and heavy workloads, even a small reduction in cooling efficiency can quickly develop into a major operational risk.
The maintenance team identified several urgent concerns:
- Recurring engine overheating during operation.
- Reduced radiator cooling efficiency.
- Restricted coolant circulation.
- Scale and residue buildup on internal cooling-system surfaces.
- Corrosion affecting metal components.
- Increased risk of pump, thermostat, radiator, and engine damage.
- Potential unplanned shutdowns and extended equipment downtime.
- Rising inspection, cleaning, repair, and replacement costs.
The company therefore required a cooling-system treatment capable of restoring system performance while providing long-term protection against corrosion and scale formation.
| Field symptom | Evidence checked | Why dosing alone was not enough |
|---|---|---|
| Recurring overheating | Temperature trend, workload, radiator, pump, and thermostat | An inhibitor does not repair blockage, weak pump output, or thermostat failure |
| Visible corrosion and scale | Deposit photos, surface inspection, coolant history, and water quality | Old deposits had to be cleaned before circulation could recover |
| Frequent top-up | Water-addition records, leakage, and inhibitor concentration | Concentration will fall again if water loss is not corrected |
| Lower radiator performance | Coolant flow, pressure drop, radiator fins, and contamination | Cooling depends on cleanliness and flow, not coolant colour |
Results
Following the implementation of TERRAGARD RC 888, the heavy equipment cooling system demonstrated clear technical and operational improvements.
The treated unit:
- Operated at normal and stable engine temperatures.
- Experienced no further overheating incidents.
- Maintained smooth and effective coolant circulation.
- Showed improved heat-transfer performance.
- Displayed no signs of new scale formation.
- Displayed no signs of new corrosion during inspection.
- Had cleaner cooling-system component surfaces.
- Maintained proper pump and thermostat operation.
- Showed no indication of cavitation-related problems.
- Continued operating reliably under heavy mining workloads.
These improvements reduced the risk of unexpected equipment failure and supported more reliable field operations.
Key Product: TERRAGARD RC 888
TERRAGARD RC 888 is a ready-to-use engine coolant treatment developed to help prevent corrosion, rust, and scale formation in industrial engine cooling-water systems, including automotive radiators and diesel engines.
Its protection package is designed to support cooling systems containing different metal types while maintaining effective heat transfer and coolant circulation.
Product Characteristics Used in the Project
- High glycol content of approximately 45–55%.
- High boiling point of more than 129°C.
- Low freezing point of approximately -30°C.
- Corrosion inhibitor package compatible with various metal types.
- Completely soluble formulation for cooling-water applications.
- Suitable for heavy-duty engines and industrial equipment.
- Applied at 33.3% of the total water volume in the cooling system.
Key Benefits
- Helps stabilize engine operating temperatures.
- Protects radiators and internal engine cooling passages.
- Helps prevent corrosion, rust, and mineral scale.
- Supports efficient coolant circulation.
- Helps preserve heat-transfer performance.
- Reduces the risk of overheating-related shutdowns.
- Supports longer component service life.
- Reduces repeated cleaning and maintenance requirements.
About Beta Pramesti Asia
PT Beta Pramesti Asia is an industrial chemical manufacturer specializing in maintenance, cleaning, water treatment, and equipment-protection solutions.
The company provides chemical programs designed to improve equipment reliability, protect critical components, reduce maintenance requirements, and support safe industrial operations across demanding sectors such as mining, manufacturing, oil and gas, and power generation.
The Challenge
The mining company’s maintenance team initially observed intermittent overheating during heavy-equipment operation. Over time, the problem became more frequent and was accompanied by a noticeable decline in radiator performance.
A detailed inspection identified several contributing conditions:
- Scale deposits were forming on heat-transfer surfaces.
- Corrosion was developing on metal cooling-system components.
- Residue buildup was restricting coolant flow.
- Heat dissipation through the radiator had become less effective.
- Pumps and thermostats were operating under increasingly difficult conditions.
- The cooling system required more frequent inspection and maintenance.
Without corrective action, these conditions could have resulted in engine damage, radiator failure, pump failure, prolonged downtime, and expensive component replacement.
The solution needed to remove the existing sources of restriction and provide continuing protection after the cooling system returned to service.
The Solution
After evaluating the condition of the equipment and the available treatment options, the technical team selected TERRAGARD RC 888.
Before adding the new coolant treatment, the cooling system was thoroughly cleaned and flushed. This preparation removed existing scale, corrosion residue, and accumulated contaminants that could interfere with coolant circulation and heat transfer.
TERRAGARD RC 888 was then introduced at a concentration of 33.3% of the total cooling-system water volume.
The treatment program was selected because it offered:
- Protection against corrosion and rust.
- Prevention of scale formation.
- Support for stable heat transfer.
- Compatibility with multiple metal types.
- A high boiling point for demanding operating temperatures.
- A low freezing point for broader environmental protection.
- Suitability for industrial diesel engines and heavy-duty equipment.
A Product Manager involved in the project reported that the treated system successfully stabilized engine temperatures and restored the cooling system to effective operating condition.
Implementation Process
1. Cooling-System Inspection
The maintenance and technical teams inspected the radiator, coolant lines, pumps, thermostats, and accessible cooling-system surfaces to identify the causes of overheating and declining performance.
2. System Cleaning and Flushing
Existing coolant, deposits, scale, corrosion residue, and suspended contaminants were removed from the system. Thorough cleaning was essential to prevent old deposits from continuing to restrict coolant flow.
3. TERRAGARD RC 888 Application
TERRAGARD RC 888 was added at a concentration of 33.3%, based on the total water volume within the cooling system.
4. Coolant Circulation Check
The equipment was operated while the team observed coolant movement, operating temperature, radiator performance, pump behavior, and thermostat response.
5. Field Performance Monitoring
The treated unit was monitored during normal mining operations and extended working hours. The team checked for overheating, abnormal temperature indications, coolant-flow restrictions, leaks, cavitation, and recurring deposits.
6. Post-Trial Inspection
Cooling-system surfaces and components were inspected again after the trial period. The inspection confirmed cleaner surfaces, smooth coolant circulation, and no new signs of corrosion or scale.
Performance Summary
| Performance indicator | Before TERRAGARD RC 888 | After TERRAGARD RC 888 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine temperature | Frequently unstable and overheating | Stable within the normal operating range |
| Radiator performance | Significantly reduced | Restored and operating effectively |
| Coolant circulation | Restricted by deposits and residue | Smooth and effective |
| Scale formation | Visible on cooling-system components | No new scale observed |
| Corrosion | Visible on several metal components | No new corrosion observed |
| Heat transfer | Reduced | Improved |
| Pump and thermostat operation | At risk of performance disruption | Functioning properly |
| Cavitation indication | Operational concern | No indication observed |
| Equipment reliability | At risk of unexpected shutdown | Reliable during extended operation |
| Maintenance requirements | Frequent intervention required | Reduced after treatment |
Operational Impact
The implementation of TERRAGARD RC 888 delivered benefits beyond temperature control.
By restoring the cooling system and preventing new deposits, the mining company was able to:
- Improve heavy-equipment availability.
- Reduce the risk of overheating-related engine damage.
- Minimize unplanned operational interruptions.
- Reduce repeated radiator cleaning.
- Protect pumps, thermostats, engine blocks, and radiator components.
- Maintain more consistent equipment performance.
- Improve maintenance planning.
- Reduce the likelihood of major cooling-system repair costs.
- Support safe operation during extended working hours.
The project demonstrated that a properly cleaned and chemically protected cooling system can remain reliable even under severe mining conditions.
Customer Testimony
“As a mining company, the reliability of our heavy equipment is a top priority. Previously, one of our units experienced recurring overheating and a noticeable decline in radiator performance, which disrupted our operations.
After switching to TERRAGARD RC 888, the improvement was remarkable. Engine temperatures stabilized, coolant circulation became much better, and there were no signs of new scale or corrosion in the cooling-system components.
After several weeks of use, the unit has been running smoothly without interruptions, even under heavy workloads and the harsh conditions of the mining environment. We are extremely satisfied with the results and can confidently say that TERRAGARD RC 888 provides real protection and enhances the operational efficiency of our heavy equipment.”
Roby
Maintenance Supervisor, Mining Company
Why TERRAGARD RC 888 Was Selected
TERRAGARD RC 888 provided the combination of thermal performance, corrosion protection, and practical implementation required for heavy-duty mining equipment.
The product was selected because it:
- Supports engine-temperature stability.
- Helps prevent recurring overheating.
- Protects multiple metal types from corrosion.
- Helps prevent mineral scale and residue buildup.
- Supports efficient radiator heat transfer.
- Can be applied after system cleaning without major equipment modification.
- Is suitable for extended heavy-duty operation.
- Supports compliance with applicable OEM and ASTM coolant-performance requirements.
Learn more about TERRAGARD engine water coolant inhibitor or discuss heavy-equipment cooling protection with our team.
Conclusion
The mining company’s overheating problem was caused by a combination of scale, corrosion, residue buildup, restricted coolant circulation, and declining radiator performance.
After the cooling system was cleaned and TERRAGARD RC 888 was applied at a 33.3% concentration, the equipment returned to normal operating temperatures. Coolant circulation improved, heat transfer was restored, and field inspection found no new corrosion or scale formation.
The treated unit continued operating reliably under extended working hours and demanding mining conditions. As a result, TERRAGARD RC 888 helped protect critical cooling-system components, reduce maintenance risk, and improve heavy-equipment operational efficiency.
Product dosage and treatment performance may vary depending on cooling-system volume, existing deposits, coolant condition, metallurgy, equipment design, operating load, ambient temperature, and maintenance practices. The system should be inspected and properly cleaned before treatment, and the final application should follow technical recommendations.
Ready to Protect Your Heavy Equipment?
Recurring overheating, corrosion, and scale can lead to engine damage, radiator failure, production delays, and expensive repairs.
PT Beta Pramesti Asia can evaluate your heavy-equipment cooling system, recommend the appropriate cleaning and treatment procedure, and support the implementation of TERRAGARD RC 888 based on actual operating conditions.