Hello all,

I just bought a used 2000 Ford F150 with the 4.6L V8 engine and I have a question about radiator fluid.

In the owner's manual it says that if the radiator fluid is green is should be changed every 30k miles, but if it is orange color it is only changed at 150k miles. I look at the radiator fluid and from outside the plastic case it is in it has a dark'ish orange/red look. When I shine a flashlight down the hole where you would add more fluid it looks orange/red, but also has a green tint when the flashlight shines directly onto the fluid.

How do I know which kind I have forsure? The truck was bought at a Ford dealer, but I never thought to look at it while I was there.

Thanks,
Mike

 

Since you purchased the truck used, you really have no idea what is in there unless you were provided service records.

I would flush the system out and install whatever color coolant you want to run from now on. I don't know if you are wanting to stay with the Ford coolant, or one of the aftermarket brands.

 

Thanks for the reply,

What is the difference between the orange and the green coolant other then the fact that the orange lasts so much longer. Why does it last longer?

Thanks

 

The color difference was due to the state of CA demanding a coolant with some different standards.
When you get new, look at the label.
Don't use GM intended coolant unless it states you can use it in Ford..
The new coolant will usually be Green unless you go the a dealer for the Ford orange version..
Good luck.

 

Having owned many GM vehicles, the orange coolant is probable Dexcool.

My 2003 F150 which I purchased new came with a gold color coolant. I know the maintenance manual allowed the gold to go for 5 years or 100000 miles before having to be replaced.

Once I replaced it with Ford gold coolant, the maintenance manual now says to replace it every 50000 miles or every 3 years, whichever comes first.

 

Every other year, I get the green SuperTech coolant from Walmart along with a couple of bottles of the Prestone radiator flush. A couple of hours later it's good for another couple of years.

 

green is the standard old coolant- it is o.k.
yellow - orange is the new "extended life" coolant and will say that on the bottle - better
DO NOT USE DEXCOOL or anything that says "for GM vehicles" - it is also orange - does not mix with the green or extended life yellow coolant.

 

Thanks all,

Im going to have it flushed at the next oil change just to be sure. Is the orange extended life stuff worth it? And, is it alot more expensive?

Thanks,
Mike

 

I think you better check this link and read what each Ford brand coolant is and what it can be used in. According to that link, you should not put one type of coolant in your system unless it was originally specified as being the proper coolant.

I don't know how critical it is to really not use a different type, but with the history of the heater cores on some of these trucks getting leaks, (involves pulling the dash out in order to remove the core) I would stay with the correct coolant.

As for price, once you figure out what type of coolant you are going to use and know the Ford specification, you can cross check and buy a less expensive brand of coolant which meets that specification. But for something you are going to replace only every couple of years or so, I would (and do) go with the Ford brands.

Motorcraft® Engine Cooling System Products and Engine Coolants

 

Prestone Extended LIfe in the yellow jugs can be purchased at Wal Mart - Auto Zone or others. All major brands and "wal mart special" -- are all o.k. and similar----

Features & Benefits

Prestone extended life antifreeze is compatible with any antifreeze/ coolant - regardless of color - for use in all makes or model of cars and light duty trucks.
•Rust and dirty coolant that circulates in cars cooling system can lead to a clogged radiator, resulting in overheating and engine damage, Prestone antifreeze contains inhibitors for extended performance and protection against rust and corrosion
•Patented formula provides a high degree of performance durability and carefully balanced protection against temperature extremes
•Protects against rust and corrosion of all cooling system metals, including aluminum
•Prestone is the leader in antifreeze since 1927
Part Number: AF-2000
Weight: 9.883333333333333 lbs
Base: Ethylene Glycol
Concentrate / Ready To Use: Concentrate
Freeze Point (°F): -34
Nitrites: No
Package Size (oz): 128
Phosphates: No
Poisonous: Yes
Recommended Automotive Application: Cooling System Anti Freeze/Coolant
Recommended Dilution Ratio: 50 to 70 %
Silicates: No
Size: One Gallon
Standards: ASTM D-3306, D-4985
Type: Plastic Bottle
Type: Universal/Global Coolant

 

Again--- DO NOT BUY anything that says DEXCOOL for GM, etc...

 

The manual seems to say that either the green coolant can be used at 30k changes or the orange at 150k

 

Yes, the orange/ yellow is the EXTENDED and can be used for several years. Still not a bad idea to change every 4-5 years... Again, just dont use the "orange" stuff made for GM, which i think is spelled DEXCOOL.