Is elc coolant realy needed

cattlerancher · #1 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 08:46 PM

I know its needed in semis and other diesel motors to keep from eating holes in the block, but is it realy needed in the 7.3?

indyF-350psd · #2 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:02 PM

no its not "needed" but you dont have to mess with additives and other stuff like that. plus the intervals using elc coolants are alot longer than normal coolants if you wanted to take it that far....

Izzy351 · #3 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:05 PM

What Bill said. At least go with the gold stuff -- it lasts 100k and you don't mess with test strips & additives.

Tenn01PSD350 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:06 PM

Interesting question. Manufacturer says yes so I will not chance it. Why would you think a 7.3 would be different than other diesels?

RedBoat · #5 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:07 PM

I am using the final charge coolant from WallyWorld. It was easy to get and says it does not need to be tested for 300k and replaced for 600k.

F350-6 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cattlerancher

I know its needed in semis and other diesel motors to keep from eating holes in the block, but is it realy needed in the 7.3?

No, it's not needed at all, but if you're running the green coolant, you need to test for SCA's to make sure the coolant will not eat a hole in your block. The green coolant requires test strips and additive, the gold coolant needs to be changed at 100,000 miles, and the new ELC should be changed every 300,000 miles (or possibly some timetable I'm not aware of).

Old and Busted · #7 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:24 PM

Do we have a verdict yet on the early '99s? I find conflicting info even here in this forum. Bought my truck with green and it had the additive in it. Would like to flush it and change to atleast the gold, but I'm not sure.

hucka1a · #8 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old and Busted

Do we have a verdict yet on the early '99s? I find conflicting info even here in this forum. Bought my truck with green and it had the additive in it. Would like to flush it and change to atleast the gold, but I'm not sure.

It's really at your own discretion. IH say's no, but there are several guys that have racked up some miles running ELC. I chose to stick with the conventional coolant, but I did add a bypass filter.

F350-6 · #9 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old and Busted

Do we have a verdict yet on the early '99s? I find conflicting info even here in this forum. Bought my truck with green and it had the additive in it. Would like to flush it and change to atleast the gold, but I'm not sure.

If it were me, I'd stick with the gold. Is changing the coolant every 100,000 miles really too much to ask?

Tenn01PSD350 · #10 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenn01PSD350

Interesting question. Manufacturer says yes so I will not chance it. Why would you think a 7.3 would be different than other diesels?

Whoops, misunderstood the question. No, not needed, just keep up with SCA levels. My bad.

Old and Busted · #11 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F350-6

If it were me, I'd stick with the gold. Is changing the coolant every 100,000 miles really too much to ask?

It's not too much to ask. I would gladly settle for the gold and forget about the test strips if there isn't a problem with the early '99s.

F350-6 · #12 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Old and Busted

It's not too much to ask. I would gladly settle for the gold and forget about the test strips if there isn't a problem with the early '99s.

From what I've heard, it's the new Red ELC that has the issues with the E99. The gold stuff should be fine.

hucka1a · #13 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 10:05 PM

It's the OAT or Organic Acid Technology, that's found in most extended life coolants. That is not compatible in the early 99's. Most extended life coolants have oat's, that's why I chose to stick with the green junk.

Izzy351 · #14 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 10:22 PM

Gold is partially OAT and partially SCA, which is why it's called H-OAT, or Hybrid Organic Acid Technology.

mueckster · #15 (**permalink**) 11-04-2009, 11:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hucka1a

It's the OAT or Organic Acid Technology, that's found in most extended life coolants. That is not compatible in the early 99's. Most extended life coolants have oat's, that's why I chose to stick with the green junk.

Excuse my ignorance, but what is different about the E99's that IH doesn't recommend the ELC in them. I must have missed somthing somewhere.

I figured the cooling system reqirements would be the same for all.