I posted previously asking whether anyone had done a dealership coolant flush. I am not a mechanic and am very crunched for time due to work & family, so I knew I wouldnt do this myself.
Did a road trip recently of a couple of hundred miles and saw deltas that got up to 25 or maybe even slightly higher while running 70-75 on the interstate. EOTs would run 215 with occasional runs to 220 and ECTs of 190-200.

So I decided to risk plugging the cooler and do the flush at the dealership. I have a Sinister coolant filter that I added about 500 miles ago, so they told me that they would not use their coolant flush machine but would drain,run with VC9, then flush and refill. Coolant filter was changed as well. They were pretty upfront about the fact that they use hose water.

Since the flush, I ran the same road trip with deltas never > 15
Around town I am 6-10 and EOT never gets above 215 and it only gets that high with sustained runs at 70+ mph
I did check the degas bottle once it cooled and it was at the top line the morning after the flush. Looked like it belched some coolant the first day or two, so I ordered a new cap for the bottle but I wiped off the coolant residue and it looks like there has been to subsequent spilling of coolant ( new cap is Not on yet).

Obviously, the hose water and the refill with Ford Gold will be somewhat controversial here, but so far the results have been great in my estimation.

Also, met a nice Ford mechanic who does EGR deletes, oil coolers,etc on the side. They pretty much marched me to the back to talk with the mechanic once I started asking a bunch of questions

Sorry for the rambling post, just wanted to relate my experience.
Thanks to everyone here for all the great info !!!

 

Oh

My ride is a 2005 Excursion with SCT Tuner with Matt's SRL tune.
I did add a 4" turbo back exhaust shortly after this so reduced EGTs could also potentially impact those temps.

 

Glad it worked Out

I wouldnt have bet on it How Many Miles

 

160K

I figured with those temps I was closing in on a problem anyway ( I guess I still could be), and if I plugged the cooler I would take the opportunity to do a new oil cooler and EGR delete.

 

Guess you been checking Cold Soak Numbers???

Gauges OK???


Got ya some mor Time that's Graet

 

If you're seeing evidence of coolant puking you need to put a pressure gauge on the degas bottle and see what's going on.

 

sounds like the Coolant was too Full

mines does it

just keep an eye on it should get to a Leval around 1/2 or so Under the Low Mark on the bottle and be Fine

 

Seems strange that a Ford Dealership would use hose water when the Owners manual tells you to use distilled water.

"When adding coolant, make sure it is a 50/50 mixture of engine coolant and distilled water."

 

My reasoning on why Ford says to use distilled water is because there are a lot of areas that have pretty crappy water. I have been in some areas that had water that I wouldn't let my dog drink.

 

They did say that "They" - dont know if that means the dealership or Ford or who- periodically "check" the water.

 

I bet the Majoirity of the Trucks Have Hose Water

You guys think Ford Bought/Put Disstilled Water in Every truck that came off the Line???? I don't but I have ZERO IDEA what actually went on

From the Pics I have seen it looks Like the Ford Gold is Doing Far More Damage then type of water installed




But if you wouldn't let you DOG Drink it LOL it probably shouldn't go into your truck

I used Soft Water since I have a water softner at home

 

Since my oil cooler egr cooler replacement 5 years ago using distilled water and Ford Gold/ Zerez GO-5 I have had zero problems. I do a drain every 2 years, no flush and things have been good. I still think maint. is key. The original 100,000 mile change was optimistic. I do run a coolant filter and use distilled water.

 

Ya Id say Distilled is the Best thing Going


Just Not many trucks Have it I would think

A few Disstilled Flushes at the End would be Perfict before coolant is added


Im running a Soft water Test The Water Feels Slick with all the Hard out

 

Mine does this as well anytime the level is a tad high, and I consider it normal as well, it would be different if the bottle was puking with no coolant system work or tampering.

 

Benny: have your water checked (from the house, not the truck) for how much SALT is in it. Guess what percipitates out of water...?

I wouldn't use your water unless I ran it through a reverse osmosis filter 1st (knocks the salt out).