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Extended Life Coolant/Concentrate (Where to Buy in Socal)
Where do you purchase extended life coolant/concentrate in Socal?
The post with "Gooch's Radiator Flush Procedure" seems to suggest the following products are popular brands: International's Fleetrite ELC, Shell Rotella ELC, CAT ELC, Chevron Delo ELC, Peak Final Charge, Prestone Heavy Duty ELC, Zerex Extreme Heavy Duty, etc.
When I went online to two auto parts stores (with the initials PB and AZ), I didn't see the above brands/products as available.
They are hard to find. There is a CAT dealer in Oxnard. They will charge you about $30/gal. There is also a fueling station called MacValley Oil in Oxnard; They sell the Chevron coolant.
You've discovered the reason that I chose NOT to switch over to ELC. I don't want to use a product that will be so difficult to find in an emergency, say while traveling, and a heater hose blow. Or whatever reason.
Seems to me that a long life coolant like the Ford Gold or the Zerex G05 would already be a good step up from the green juice that your 7.3 was spec'd for.
JMO of course. I went with the Zerex at my last flush.
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Folks call me Bill. Why, yes, it is a 6 liter. Your jealousy is showing.
2006 F250 XLT SCLB FX4 4x4 6.0L Auto,Magnaflow Turbo Back (w/CAT),Edge Insight CS,Blue Spring,RhinoLiner,Retrax Cover,Cab Lights Retro-fit,Overhead Console Retro-fit,Bilsteins,Harpooned,C-Betrs,Fumoto,'08 Diff Cover,Upfitters Retro-fit,Coolant Filter,Custom Man Steps,Keystone 2011 Cougar 278RKSWE,2012 Fusion SE
After calling Shell lubricants and asking for a retailer that carried Shell Rotella ELC, I was referred to Sawyer Petroleum located 14117 Aetna Street, Van Nuys, CA 91401. Telephone # is (818)786-8180.
The cost of one gallon of undiluted Shell Rotella ELC is $14.48 (they gave me a 30cent/gallon discount). HOWEVER, Sawyer Petroleum only sells boxes of six one-gallon containers. In addition, there is a credit card processing fee (3%), a $5.95 Environmental Processing Fee, and 8.75% sales tax.
Since I only need 4 gallons, I would love to sell the remaining 2 gallons for $30 if anyone needs it.
The water pump isn't nessicary but most people don't change the coolant unless they change the water pump too. The water pumps do go bad, that is not abnormal. And when you replace them you lose most of your coolant. It's not something I would do until you need to, and that goes with the coolant too. I would wait on the coolant until the pump fails. I made that mistake and had to buy the coolant twice.
You shouldn't lose all your coolant when you replace a pump. But it is a good reason to keep that extra 2 gallons. Otherwise, if you need 1 gallon, you might be buying a case of 6 again.
Repairs like that are inevitable. That's why I chose to not use ELC, but since you chose to use it, best keep that extra on the shelf. You got an excellent price on it BTW.
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Folks call me Bill. Why, yes, it is a 6 liter. Your jealousy is showing.
2006 F250 XLT SCLB FX4 4x4 6.0L Auto,Magnaflow Turbo Back (w/CAT),Edge Insight CS,Blue Spring,RhinoLiner,Retrax Cover,Cab Lights Retro-fit,Overhead Console Retro-fit,Bilsteins,Harpooned,C-Betrs,Fumoto,'08 Diff Cover,Upfitters Retro-fit,Coolant Filter,Custom Man Steps,Keystone 2011 Cougar 278RKSWE,2012 Fusion SE
OK - please don't take this wrong way. I will be the first to admit that I know very little about the vehicle I just purchased.
That said, in the interest of learning, I've gone through a second read of the thread titled, "Gooch's Radiator/Engine Backflush Procedure and Coolant Information" ( http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/960812-goochs-radiator-engine-backflush-procedure-and-coolant-information.html ) and it seems to suggest that the use of a coolant filter, while generally a good idea, may not be necessary when using ELC since it is silicate free. Assuming I am able to do a fairly comprehensive flush of the system, the remaining silicate (which is what I believe people have been displaying in the pictures of the stuff being captured by their coolant filter) I am hoping would be minimal.
My guess is that instead of a coolant filter my money may be better spent on a new pump in the event of pump failure. Again, this post was meant for me to learn and not challenge those folks who are clearly much more knowledgable than I am about this truck.
Please feel free to respond and tell me if I have overlooked something or if you feel I might be on the right track.
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-Marv- one of 
