Hey, I'm new to this forum so thanks, however I've been trying to read up on the coolants for these idi diesels (only experience is VW idi). So can someone please help me with my coolant issue. I'm replacing my water pump here soon and i have been trying to find what coolant was used. The current coolant that is in it is Orange in color which leads me to think it has the Ford's specialty coolant in it. My ford (92 f250 7.3l idi, Im second owner) has had all its servicing done by a mechanic (assuming its the ford dealer from sounds of original owner). It just hit 154000 miles on it as well (original motor). So can anyone tell me is keeping with the orange coolant a good idea or should i spend time and money trying to flush the whole system just to change to a different coolant? Yes I know that the owners manual says no ford specialty orange coolant but what else could the orange coolant be in my ford currently?? its been running it since 94 according to the first service records and hasn't had any problems. I've just read a lot of things from other forums saying OAT based coolants (ELC) is bad for the IDI's gaskets and such. Please help me out and set me straight. thanks everyone

 

If the coolant is orange it could be dex-cool as well. Another OAT coolant. Personally I would flush it and put in conventional green with SCA's or a pre-charged coolant like fleet charge or Napa fleet. Just keep it simple. Some OAT coolants have 2EHA which can eat old seals and sealants.

 

yep just use plain old green antifreeze along with sca's and you will be set.

 

Look again at it, under good light. It may be FleetCharge, which is pink.

 

I've seen a number of references here on FTE about coolant and "SCA", so for myself and all the other newbies who don't know, will someone please explain what "SCA" is?

Thanks!!

 

Supplemental Coolant Addative

Im with madpogue, make sure it is in fact orange and not pink.

 

Could also be Zerex G-05, it's gold but can look orange under certain light or if contaminated with rust.

 

Supplemental coolant additive, basically a shot of nitrites and other cavitation inhibitors to help protect the cylinder walls from pitting.

Supplemental Coolant Additives (SCAs)

 

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...r-the-idi.html

 

thanks for the replies. any recommendations on what brand of LOW silicate green coolant to get??? I was just going to get the ford's premium green coolant. not the specialty dark green just regular green from ford. and it definitely is orange. its new basically because the original owner had it replaced before i bought it.

 

Plain old green(Napa brand is perfect, made by Old World Products) plus 2 pints of Napakool(get the 2qt container for $24 as 1 pint along costs $10) and you're golden My grandfather's pickup has been running this combo since new in 1991 and that 7.3 has only been through one water pump in 260k. The Napakool takes care of your needed SCA's, just get some test strips and check it every 10k or annually.

Of course make sure you use distilled water and not tap water.

Napakool #FIL 4058 and test strips #FIL 4106

 

thanks, I did end up using the fords flourescent green coolant and fords additive since i had some credit at my local dealership. I had to replace the water pump due to it starting to leak, so its getting all new motorcraft water pump and thermostat along with a few other things. Thanks everyone for helping me. And thanks to Gooch for his flush procedure on here and other forums.

 

I use EVANS coolant, Life time fill, never needs SCAs never needs water, never gets low, never boils over, never builds more than 7psi.

Never confused about color, brand,performance NEVER!

Why waste time with job security water based coolant? Love corrosion and evaporation? you must!


Javier