Coolant question

[CAMPINGTOM]

I'm not thrilled with the Ford Gold coolant. We have heard from International techs that say they change far less oil coolers than Ford Techs. I have heard (read) from several respected owners that have switched to the ELC coolant that International uses. They are very pleased with it. Is the fact that less oil coolers are changed on International 365s is because they had coolant filters installed early on? I know of at least one 6.0 that had a coolant filter installed early on and then had oil cooler plugging after several years - 69CJ is one that comes to mind. We know that under high heat/over heat situations the gold coolant forms precipitates. Is it possible that the gold coolant gets hot enough running through the EGR cooler that it forms precipitates there? Will those of us with out egr systems still have the same problem? I have no idea how all of this stuff works so I'd thought I'd ask you all.

[brickie]

That is a good question myself and bismic spoke about earlier this week.I flushed my block for about a half hour when my motor was out and apart about 30k miles ago.I have no coolant filter or EGR cooler and work the motor very hard regularly.I was figuring when I drain it this time(might do it this afternoon)if it has chunkies in it that the coolant is breaking down.I do happen to have a case of gold on the shelf so if I drain it I might just run it for 10k and never use it again.I will post in this thread what I find.

[69cj]

Originally Posted by CAMPINGTOM

I'm not thrilled with the Ford Gold coolant. We have heard from International techs that say they change far less oil coolers than Ford Techs. I have heard (read) from several respected owners that have switched to the ELC coolant that International uses. They are very pleased with it.

Is the fact that less oil coolers are changed on International 365s is because they had coolant filters installed early on?

I know of at least one 6.0 that had a coolant filter installed early on and then had oil cooler plugging after several years - 69CJ is one that comes to mind.

We know that under high heat/over heat situations the gold coolant forms precipitates. Is it possible that the gold coolant gets hot enough running through the EGR cooler that it forms precipitates there?
Will those of us with out egr systems still have the same problem?

I have no idea how all of this stuff works so I'd thought I'd ask you all.

You are correct. I put the filter on at aprox. 2,000 miles. I'm not defending the gold coolant but my system had so much sand in it that the 1st filter plugged at about 300 miles and the 2nd at 1,000 miles. I do have the feeling that my system had so much sand in it from the get go that it was doomed no matter what and yet it made it to over 36,000 before replacing the coolers. If I didn't have a ScanGauge and the info gleened on this and other sites I would probably still have the old coolers in. I never had any puking or outward symptoms. My degas bottle looks new compared to a buddy with 50,000 miles and no filter, no gauges and no problem so far that he is aware of. I would probably consider the elc coolant but I still have a year and a half of bumper to bumper warranty. In my op. the jury is still out but I am listening to all comments that can be substantiated.

[sammy77]

Originally Posted by brickie

That is a good question myself and bismic spoke about earlier this week.I flushed my block for about a half hour when my motor was out and apart about 30k miles ago.I have no coolant filter or EGR cooler and work the motor very hard regularly.I was figuring when I drain it this time(might do it this afternoon)if it has chunkies in it that the coolant is breaking down.I do happen to have a case of gold on the shelf so if I drain it I might just run it for 10k and never use it again.I will post in this thread what I find.

I'm interested to hear what you find, as with no egr cooler one would think there shouldn't be any sand. I have a feeling that this is gonna be a hot topic for the near future. I have no evidence of the Ford coolant being an issue as I (like many here) have never experimented with anything else.... Oh well keep on truckin boys

[69cj]

Originally Posted by sammy77

I'm interested to hear what you find, as with no egr cooler one would think there shouldn't be any sand. I have a feeling that this is gonna be a hot topic for the near future. I have no evidence of the Ford coolant being an issue as I (like many here) have never experimented with anything else.... Oh well keep on truckin boys

I fail to see the connection between no egr cooler and no sand. If you have sand or precips. the oil cooler will let you know.

[cheezit]

funny I fail to see a connection between the vt365 and a 6.0. we are we not looking at the many differances that can be causing the lack of failers. programing for one is very different. one is all navastar without fords magic hand in tuning for power.

[69cj]

Originally Posted by cheezit

funny I fail to see a connection between the vt365 and a 6.0. we are we not looking at the many differances that can be causing the lack of failers. programing for one is very different. one is all navastar without fords magic hand in tuning for power.

You confused me a little cheezit, can you elaborate?

[cheezit]

the two engine are close and are in the same family. they use the same block, heads, egr cooler, oil cooler and turbo. the rest of the truck is very different.
the vt 365 is reduced hp and incressed torque. the power bands are very different.
that truck rolls down the road at 1200-1500 rpm. we roll at 1800-2200 rpm.
they run a differnt gear box then the zf or the 5r110.
ford wrote all the softwear for the superduty from 250-500.
the 650/750 wich runs the vt365 is the same set up as navastars vt365. that unit is 100 percent navastar programing.

so what Im really getting at is the fact that the only thing that they have in common is the basic major parts of the engine from there it all changes.

maybe someone that knows more can say if the cam shaft is even the same. I dont know about that one.

[brickie]

I am going to let the coolant drain into a filter while I go have a few refreshments.Cheezit I understand your point and figure the best test is to change the coolant to international spec and run it the same on that.Who knows it could be clean as a whistle now.We will find out.

[brickie]

So the coolant was clean as a whistle not a piece of sand or any particulate.

[bismic]

Originally Posted by brickie

So the coolant was clean as a whistle not a piece of sand or any particulate.

That is interesting Tony! I don't recall if you had ever posted this, but do you have EOT/ECT data?

[brickie]

Originally Posted by bismic

That is interesting Tony! I don't recall if you had ever posted this, but do you have EOT/ECT data?

No Mark I don't,it is on santa's list.I have the pod waiting for the gauges,but haven't bothered buying them yet.

[CAMPINGTOM]

I'm going to install a new degas bottle today and I'll look at my coolant as well. It was just flushed about 5k ago when the egr delete was done.