hi all, i have a 99f250sd, 5.4L. i want to do a coolant system flush on it, since i bought it used and want to know that it is fresh. my question is: do i need any special coolant from ford, or will regular prestone mixed 50/50 with distilled water work just as good. i know that some engines call for "special" coolants, and was wondering if the 5.4 is one of the. thanks in advance !!

 

what color os in there now???? green i assume.


the flush that engine remove the clamps on the upper and lower part of the radiator, drain it, then use a garden hose and flush the radiator from the top hole. next flush the recovery tank. just insert a hose into the tank and it will drain out the bottom hose. find the heater hose coming off the intake use the hose and force water thru the rubber hose until it comes out clear and also flush thru the manifold hole until the water comes out clear.

 

thanks for the fast reply, i realize that i can flush it with a hose, but i was just wondering what to replace it with. i know for example that chevy calls for "dexcool" only.... and i need to know if ford has any special needs, or if prestone is good.... thanks !!!

 

regular glycol is fine. NO dexcool. or convert to the ford gold coolant.

 

thanks for the advice...i will probably just stay with the normal stuff.....

 

Dexicool eats away at radiators and water pumps. I've had to replace many of these on GM's with low miles.

 

Plain green is all that you use. It is the best for long lasting components. Just make certain to change it every 2 years. If you want to use chemicals to flush it, seperate the heater core so you don't eat that up.