6.7L Power Stroke Diesel 2011-current Ford Powerstroke 6.7 L turbo diesel engine

Message center says check coolant additive

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 10-12-2010, 04:37 PM
rickatic's Avatar
rickatic
rickatic is offline
Postmaster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Message center says check coolant additive

Anyone else see this message? I called my servicing dealer and he was unaware of the message or how to check/test this. He also did not think it was a warranty issue. Any help out there will be appreciated.

Thanks
 
  #2  
Old 10-12-2010, 04:45 PM
wisner45's Avatar
wisner45
wisner45 is offline
Junior User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Florida
Posts: 68
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Per my 6.7 diesel supplement. Page 48:
Coolant additives
At specific mileage intervals of 15,000 miles (24,000 km), as listed in the
scheduled maintenance information chapter, the coolant additive
should be checked. The optional message center, if equipped, will also
display the message CHECK COOLANT ADDITIVE at this time. The
purpose of checking is to verify the correct concentration (freeze point
protection) and additive strength (corrosion inhibitor) levels of the
coolant for maximum engine performance and protection. Three
products are available for ensuring the life and health of the coolant: two
test kits and a coolant inhibitor additive:
• Rotunda 328-00007 (Matthew’s Water CoolCheck) – Evaluates water
quality (hardness, chloride, and pH) for 50/50 mixture of coolant and
distilled water. Use distilled water. If distilled water is unavailable,
water meeting the requirements of Rotunda 328-00007, is sufficient
for vehicle use. Using water that fails to meet the requirements can
lead to coolant passage scaling and degrade the engine’s durability and
performance.
Maintenance and Specifications
48
2011 Diesel
 
  #3  
Old 10-12-2010, 05:19 PM
rickatic's Avatar
rickatic
rickatic is offline
Postmaster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
Thanks. Is the testing covered under warranty?
 
  #4  
Old 10-12-2010, 05:22 PM
69cj's Avatar
69cj
69cj is offline
Hotshot
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Middle Tn.
Posts: 13,827
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Originally Posted by rickatic
Anyone else see this message? I called my servicing dealer and he was unaware of the message or how to check/test this. He also did not think it was a warranty issue. Any help out there will be appreciated.

Thanks
Hey Ric, if the truck is under the 3 yr./ 36,000 mile initial warranty the radio should be covered for leaking oil. If they don't know how to check it how can they say it isn't covered. The only thing they are covering is their ignorance.
 
  #5  
Old 10-12-2010, 05:25 PM
wiedsworld's Avatar
wiedsworld
wiedsworld is offline
Junior User
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SW Ohio
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by rickatic
Thanks. Is the testing covered under warranty?
I highly doubt it would be covered by warranty...it's just regular maintenance, like an oil change. You should have your vehicle serviced at 15,000 miles according to the maintenance schedule.

That is something they should be looking at when they do the 15K servicing (for a fee of course).
 
  #6  
Old 10-12-2010, 05:45 PM
rickatic's Avatar
rickatic
rickatic is offline
Postmaster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I forgot to check the radio oil...
 
  #7  
Old 10-12-2010, 05:55 PM
69cj's Avatar
69cj
69cj is offline
Hotshot
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Middle Tn.
Posts: 13,827
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Originally Posted by wiedsworld
I highly doubt it would be covered by warranty...it's just regular maintenance, like an oil change. You should have your vehicle serviced at 15,000 miles according to the maintenance schedule.

That is something they should be looking at when they do the 15K servicing (for a fee of course).

Coolant is supposed to out last the 36,000/36 month bumper to bumper. Read your maintenance manual and cooling system maint. section.
 
  #8  
Old 10-12-2010, 06:14 PM
Tom's Avatar
Tom
Tom is online now
Super Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Isanti, MN
Posts: 25,426
Received 671 Likes on 440 Posts
Originally Posted by 69cj
Coolant is supposed to out last the 36,000/36 month bumper to bumper. Read your maintenance manual and cooling system maint. section.
No it's not!

Please check your facts before you post.

Originally Posted by 2011 6.7L Diesel Supplement
Initial replacement at 105,000 miles (168,000 km) or 72 months or as
indicated from coolant tests for concentration (freeze-point) or
additive strength (corrosion inhibitor)
The reason you're supposed to check it is because it can and will degrade over time. You will likely never have problems with your radiator before 36,000 miles, but it wouldn't be so far fetched to see some very expen$ive cooling system related engine problems that should be covered under the 100,000 mile warranty caused by neglecting to maintain the coolant.

This check is there for a reason. If you don't maintain the cooling system as specified and cause an EGR cooler failure in the future due to bad coolant and hydrolock the engine you WILL be on the hook for a new engine. If it's in the diesel supplement it's an important maintenance item that needs attention, not to be ignored.
 
  #9  
Old 10-12-2010, 06:30 PM
JReinert's Avatar
JReinert
JReinert is offline
Senior User
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: central MN
Posts: 350
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
I ordered the strips from the dealer over a month ago and they are still not in. The average test strip does not work with this organic acid tech. coolant.
 
  #10  
Old 10-12-2010, 06:39 PM
69cj's Avatar
69cj
69cj is offline
Hotshot
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Middle Tn.
Posts: 13,827
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
Originally Posted by Crazy001
No it's not!

Please check your facts before you post.



The reason you're supposed to check it is because it can and will degrade over time. You will likely never have problems with your radiator before 36,000 miles, but it wouldn't be so far fetched to see some very expen$ive cooling system related engine problems that should be covered under the 100,000 mile warranty caused by neglecting to maintain the coolant.

This check is there for a reason. If you don't maintain the cooling system as specified and cause an EGR cooler failure in the future due to bad coolant and hydrolock the engine you WILL be on the hook for a new engine. If it's in the diesel supplement it's an important maintenance item that needs attention, not to be ignored.
My apologies, I was going by the cooling system requirements on my truck assuming that there had been no changes. Are they still using the premium gold??
 
  #11  
Old 10-12-2010, 06:56 PM
720Deere's Avatar
720Deere
720Deere is offline
Postmaster
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Maryland
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
The so called "Premium" Gold coolant is no more on the 6.7. Ford has added 2 new and pretty colors to the mix!
 
  #12  
Old 10-12-2010, 07:47 PM
Tom's Avatar
Tom
Tom is online now
Super Moderator
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Isanti, MN
Posts: 25,426
Received 671 Likes on 440 Posts
Originally Posted by 69cj
My apologies, I was going by the cooling system requirements on my truck assuming that there had been no changes. Are they still using the premium gold??
Nope, the new stuff is red. I think they call it OAT(Organic Acid Technology), Ford calls it "Specialty Orange" coolant.

Not sure what the benefit is to this over premium gold, but I didn't used to have to test the coolant in my 6.4L...
 
  #13  
Old 10-12-2010, 07:54 PM
69cj's Avatar
69cj
69cj is offline
Hotshot
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Middle Tn.
Posts: 13,827
Likes: 0
Received 12 Likes on 11 Posts
I guess the simple days are over. You have to check year to year to see where you stand.
 
  #14  
Old 10-12-2010, 07:59 PM
vloney's Avatar
vloney
vloney is offline
Postmaster

Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: waynesville, mo.
Posts: 3,201
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 3 Posts
Originally Posted by Crazy001
Nope, the new stuff is red. I think they call it OAT(Organic Acid Technology), Ford calls it "Specialty Orange" coolant.

Not sure what the benefit is to this over premium gold, but I didn't used to have to test the coolant in my 6.4L...
DO NOT USE DEXCOOL! IT IS NOT THE SAME THING!
 
  #15  
Old 10-12-2010, 08:19 PM
rickatic's Avatar
rickatic
rickatic is offline
Postmaster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,839
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
I am aware of the various coolant colors and types. I am quite sure my new truck does not need a coolant change but I would like to know what the proper procedure is for the coolant additive message. I thank you all for your help. Does anyone know where to get the test strips w/o waiting a month?
 


Quick Reply: Message center says check coolant additive



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:53 PM.