Is everyone using this Ford additive FW-15 in your cooling systems? I just replace the fluid in my 01' Excursion over the weekend.

Drained it, flushed it out and added 4 gal of Zerex GO-5 gold coolant along 4 gal of distill water and 1 bottle of FW-15. The FW-15 cost me $21 bucks from the dealer. The owners manual is calling for 4 pints of it (4 bottles).

Is this additive really needed? Don't the coolants already have additives to fight build up in the cooling system? If FW-15 is really needed, I'll go get enough to put in my truck. Just want to make sure before dropping another $65.

By the way, the dealer here wants $220 bucks to flush out the cooling system for a PSD.

Thanks,

 

If you dont use the additive, cavitation of the block and cylinders will result and cylinder failure could result. I have seen cylinders break in half from low DCA levels in the coolant. FW-15 and coolant flushes are CHEAP insurance against this happening!! Use it per the owners manual guidelines. I add two pints to mine every 15000 miles, drain and refill every 30000.

 

According to my manual, if you use the G-05 gold coolant you don't have to add the conditioner. I think it states that the additive is needed only if using the green colored stuff. Is this right?


'02 PSD, CC, 4x4, AIS Intake, Diablo 60 HP Tune

 

That is correct, no FW for the gold stuff, just the green stuff.

 

Great! I used the GO-5 Gold coolant, so I won't have to get more FW-15 then.

Thanks alot guys!

 

THE GOLD AND GREEN COOLANTS ARE NOT COMPATABLE!!!!!!
If you used gold coolant in your cooling system that originally came with green coolant this could be a major problem for you. Even if you completely flush the system Ford will still tell you the two are not compatable. Basically, if your truck came with gold, use gold. If it came with green, use green.

And FW-15 is now FW-16. Your Ford dealer is ripping you off with the price. I suggest buying online from someplace like Diesel Injection Service.

 

He IS correct! Ford has now renamed FW-16 to VC8

 

Hey Guys,

Thanks for all the info. I did some searching on the net and found a diesel supply store where I got FW-16(VC8) for only $4.75 a pint.

Quick question, which green coolant do you guys suggest using?

Thanks again...

 

got my additive here in Texas for $7.00 a bottle- be gentle with him

 

Freaky phenomena, cavition. The cylinder walls actually vibrate in such a way that keeps the coolant from touching the walls. Is this correct? I know it's needed, so I bought a bottle from the dealer ($8.95) and put it in the overflow tank. Will this work? Or do I have to add it to the system some other way? I don't have an owners manual for my truck...how often should one add a bottle of additive?

 

How often can only be determined by checking with the test strips.