I have an 02 F-250 PSD with the gold colored anti-freeze. The manual indicates not to add the FW-16 additive. What is the proper maint. with this gold colored anti-freeze for long term engine life?

Thanks

Rob

 

Follow their reccommendation. Do not add FW-16. Do not mix it with the green antifreeze or the red antifreeze. Except from Ford, I don't know where to buy this new antifreeze (I'm sure someone will help us out on that point). You don't have to do anything but change it at the required intervals (100,000 miles I think -- it should give you that information in your owners manual).

 

I've heard that the red anti-freeze clogs up radiators!

 

I haven't heard anything about the red stuff causing any problems (we use it in our T444E International engines). It is a different base (OAT as opposed to ethylene glycol) and it shouldn't be mixed with the other stuff. If it were left up to me, we'd all be using the red stuff but they didn't consult me or ask my opinion (as usual).

 

You can get the Gold Antifreeze fro your local Ford Dealer..... Do not mix with other antifreeze or put in the FW-16 additive. The Gold Antifreeze already has the protection you need for a diesel engine cooling system. You can test for freeze protection wuith the standard antifreeze hydrometer of test sticks..... The owners manual has all the info you need on this type of antifreeze....

 

Thanks to all who responded.

Rob

 

>Follow their reccommendation. Do not add FW-16.

Joe,

Please excuse my "newbie" ignorance, but what is FW-16?

I am the proud new owner of a 1990 F-350 CC 4X4 LB DRW, and with winter approaching, am trying to perform all the PM I can before the snow flies.

Please advise.

Thanx,
Dave Calahan

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 24-Oct-02 AT 01:02 PM (EST)]FW-16 is an additive used to prevent cavitation of the cylinder walls from the inside out. To make a long story short, cavitation is a process that looks like corrosion and will eventually penetrate through from the water jacket side to the piston side which will make your engine scrap. It only has to be used with the green antifreese and as far as I know, we've never had a cavatation failure of a Power Stroke engine of any kind (but if your vehicle came from the factory with the green antifreese in it, use the FW-16 anyway). Most of the cavitation problems were on the older IDI engine (6.9L and old 7.3L engines). If yours is a 1990 you need to use the FW-16.

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 24-Oct-02 AT 07:15 PM (EST)]Hey Joe,

What would cause cavitation in the earlier PS engine or any diesel engine? I understand what causes cavitation in a centrifugal water pump. What am I missing?

Rob

 

 

Not Joe, but...

From what I have read/understand, its more or less piston slap on the thrust-face resulting from the high compression ratios in a diesel. The outward energy on the cylinder wall from the piston causes tiny bubbles to form in the anti-freeze. When these bubbles collapse on themselves, its like a little explosion going off. After a long time, this can actually drill through the cylinder wall rendering the engine toast. I guess you can press in new sleeves or something, but the engine will nonetheless need overhauling.

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but I think thats whats going on.

You see the same kind of damage on submarine propellers. I even remember reading about some cavitation experiments where they recorded light energy when the tiny bubbles (sing it) collapsed. Neat. Certainly alot of info out there on cavitation in diesels. Do a search on this site or the web and learn...

Later,

Sud z