A local ford dealer told me to add fw16 to my 1999 power stroke, ! he had said it is a necessary coolant additive to prevent cavitation in the engine block, I purchased the truck when it had about 85k miles and now at 100k I just started to add the fw16 any feedback would be appreciated! The previous owner has never used it should i expect trouble??

 

Just add the proper amount of FW 16 and don't worry about it. It came from the factory with the additive already in it and it probably had the factory coolant in it when you got it. As far as I know, we've never had a cavitation failure on the Power Stroke engine, which doesn't mean you don't have to use the additive, all it means is the Power Stroke engine is not as suseptable to cavitation as the IDI engine was.

 

Thank you , I appreciate the response!

 

My book said FW15. Did the research to find that the FW were improving and made into different numbers as 15 is more original stuff and kinda hard to find now days.... then came the 16 and now has changed again. Don't know exactly what number is being used in 2016 but I use VC-8 in mine. If you use the Pre Charged SCA coolant you don't need to add the additive when you first fill your coolant. However testing is needed to be sure it stays where it needs to be. If it falls short then you add the additive. Happy Trucking and Low maintenance cost to you all.

 

Motorcraft VC-8 is the latest and greatest SCA (supplemental coolant additive) for silicate based coolants. Cummins DCA2 and DCA4 are similar products that will perform the same function. I would grab some test strips from a heavy engine repair or supply shop, test the coolant add if necessary.

https://www.fcsdchemicalsandlubrican...ing%20Products

https://www.cumminsfiltration.com/ht.../supp_add.html


WOAH... just noticed this thread is from 2003.... hope he found his coolant additives.

 

I agree. I replied to this older thread because I just recently ran into this issue and didn't have the answers we just provided. Maybe this may be of help to someone else looking for answers.

 

I just buy the 5 year stuff with the additive already in it.

 

I put Fleet Charge made by Peak in mine. Already has the SCA stuff in it. Just use strips every now and then to make sure it stays right. Top off with the Fleet Charge too.