Check coolant additive
 

recieved this on the way into Seattle and wondered what it was for. owners book would help but left it at home. forgot to put it back. any body seen this





posted via DROID

You're supposed to perform a test on the coolant which will show if it's at the proper mix. That's a really generic description but it's the best I can give. I know for sure that Lewis Automotive Group in Dodge City KS will charge you for 20 minutes labor to perform the test regardless of whether or not you need any additional additive.

Here is the procedure from the manual.
If you do a search on here you will find lots of information.

It appears to me that some dealers are still not doing the test properly.
You need 2 kits to do the test 328-00001 and 328-00008.

I still see some posts that say "the dealer diped the strip into the degas bottle and it was good". For the 328-00008 test you need to remove coolant and mix 5ml with a solution in a vile (comes with the kit) and then test the mixture. This tests the corrosion inhibitor strength.

I also see posts that say"the nitrile level was normal". There is NO nitrile in specialty orange coolant, if ANY nitrile is present the coolant is BAD and needs to be changed.

The 328-00001 strips are ONLY used to test for % glycol and nitrile in the 6.7 coolant. Whatever the 3rd thing is on the strips it is not used.

If you take it in make sure they do it correctly, as far as I know the 328-00008 test is NEW for the 6.7 and was not prefromed on past super duty.

Thanks

The message will pop up about every 13,000 to 15,000 miles.
It jst a reminder to check your antifreeze and make sure it's still good.

Darren gave you the details on how to check it. It is something you can wait till you get home, Not a immediate failure kind of message,

After checking it, you can reset the message int he command center by pressing and holding the OK button in the Coolant section. It will reset the internal clock for the next 15,000 miles.

The coolant is designed to last 105,000 miles under normal use and 60,000 miles under severe use. You can add the VC-12 additive to improve the corrision inhibitor ( 3rd test mentioned above) twice during the life of the coolant. It's about $14 a bottle. So I guess if you are on the average use schedule you would add the VC-12 around 35,000 and 70,000 miles and flush and refill at 105,000.

Just remember you have TWO coolant systems, They are independant of each other. So test both and add the VC-12 to both.

Good information :-X22

When I started my truck after work today guess what happened??
It said "Check coolant additive" TOO FUNNY:-X04

Here is what the kits look like FYI:

328-00001 This kit is used only to test glycol concentration and for the presence of any nitrile (not how much, any at all) The the Monybonite test you don't use.
http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/...2/DSCF2777.jpg

328-00008 is ued to test the corrosion inhibitor strength.
http://i1090.photobucket.com/albums/...2/DSCF2780.jpg

Thanks!

What is the life of the coolant test kit(s)?

I ask as the one correct for my 08 expired before I could use all of them.

Thanks,

Bob

There is enough to do 10 test. But since you have two systems, that means you have enough for 5 check coolant messages. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, that mean 5 years and I think if I remember correctly they have a 1 year expiration.

Chances are that unless you are a high mileage driver, the kit will expire before you use all of the test.

Got it into the dealer.

Watched them and those two kits look like what they used. And it came on right at 13K


Its all cleared up.

I believe the /01 kits are good for just over a year. These you can get a pack of 4 at almost any auto parts store for pretty cheap so it's not a big deal.

The /08 kits are good for just over 2 years. The only place I know of that you can get them is directly from Accustrip.

Thanks

I got check engine light in the middle of night in middle of Oklahoma. First ford dealer I got to after 8am put qt of coolent additive in coolant system. Reset light. $14.95. I sure miss my 1997 7.3. Lots going on with this truck.

Just got the same 'message' and have been wondering what to do. read the manual and it wasn't much help. You guys are great with the information presented here.

:-X21

Darren, I still can't rep you, and I really think Tom needs to post your info in the tech folder.

I did not know about the second test, I fall into the "early 6.7 truck" category.

Thanks for gettin me straight. I just had new coolant installed after the dealer flushed both systems. With our dual cooling systems and 4thermostats, I didn't want to mess with it....

I will be ready for the check message now thanks to you.

Much obliged.

Are you now following the 45,000 mile coolant flush schedule (or 55,000, I can't remember)?
Does anyone know why this is after the factory fill flush (seems excessive)?

No problem!

I am not going to mess with the coolant change myself either.

What mileage did you change the coolant at?