Coolant and SCA
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
I use Chevron Delo ELC and it's good for 750k miles, or 1 million with an extender.
Most ELC's will be good for between 300k and 600k miles.
Also, I'd recommend you get a thermo housing from Dieselsite. It's billet aluminum and holds up better than the stamped steel OEM piece when multiple take-off and put-back-on's come into play.
Stewart
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 407
Likes: 2
From: Mobile, AL
Yeah, I know from reading your most excellent posts- no sarcasm, seriously, this is truly enlightening and I love learning this stuff. That was more my cynical sense of humor sneaking through cuz I figure I'll miss something, it'll break, I'll lose fluid all over the road or parking spot and end up doing this again. Hence, an unintentional fluid flush.
Do I need thermo housing as well as the upper and lower parts? I'm looking for the Dieselsite now....
Do I need thermo housing as well as the upper and lower parts? I'm looking for the Dieselsite now....
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
Here ya go: http://www.dieselsite.com/index.asp?...ROD&ProdID=188
Billet aluminum piece............................................. ....... stamped steel OEM piece
"Need" can be such a subjective term, LOL!
I really like the thermo housing. It's a huge improvement over stock, and allows you multiple reuses if necessary. The stamped steel OEM piece is easily goobered up.
One could argue that for the cost, it's just as easy to have a few OEM replacements in your garage, but I prefer upgrading to the improved version Bob sells.
Stewart
Billet aluminum piece............................................. ....... stamped steel OEM piece
"Need" can be such a subjective term, LOL!
I really like the thermo housing. It's a huge improvement over stock, and allows you multiple reuses if necessary. The stamped steel OEM piece is easily goobered up.
One could argue that for the cost, it's just as easy to have a few OEM replacements in your garage, but I prefer upgrading to the improved version Bob sells.
Stewart
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 407
Likes: 2
From: Mobile, AL
From Dieselsite, I am going to get the filter system, 203* t-stat and billet housing, so from the below list what do I need or are there duplicate parts-
It seems the t-stat assembly could go (getting 203* from Dieselsite), but the upper and lower t-stat housings are confusing. I've read my Haynes and Ford workshop manual, does the billet housing replace the need for both parts?
Cooling, Radiator and components, Overflow hose, Outlet, THERMOSTAT ASY- $26.56
Cooling, Radiator and components, Thermostat hsng, Upper, Upper- $20.21
Cooling, Radiator and components, Thermostat hsng, Lower, Lower- $44.64
Water pump & lower pump outlet? Should I replace? I've owned the truck five days and driven it 400 miles. I don't think I can even guess if the water pump might need to be replaced. But, for $150 I could save myself... hrs of pain?
It seems the t-stat assembly could go (getting 203* from Dieselsite), but the upper and lower t-stat housings are confusing. I've read my Haynes and Ford workshop manual, does the billet housing replace the need for both parts?
Cooling, Radiator and components, Overflow hose, Outlet, THERMOSTAT ASY- $26.56
Cooling, Radiator and components, Thermostat hsng, Upper, Upper- $20.21
Cooling, Radiator and components, Thermostat hsng, Lower, Lower- $44.64
Water pump & lower pump outlet? Should I replace? I've owned the truck five days and driven it 400 miles. I don't think I can even guess if the water pump might need to be replaced. But, for $150 I could save myself... hrs of pain?
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,544
Likes: 4
From: Suffolk, VA
From Dieselsite, I am going to get the filter system, 203* t-stat and billet housing, so from the below list what do I need or are there duplicate parts-
It seems the t-stat assembly could go (getting 203* from Dieselsite), but the upper and lower t-stat housings are confusing. I've read my Haynes and Ford workshop manual, does the billet housing replace the need for both parts?
Cooling, Radiator and components, Overflow hose, Outlet, THERMOSTAT ASY- $26.56
Cooling, Radiator and components, Thermostat hsng, Upper, Upper- $20.21
Cooling, Radiator and components, Thermostat hsng, Lower, Lower- $44.64
Water pump & lower pump outlet? Should I replace? I've owned the truck five days and driven it 400 miles. I don't think I can even guess if the water pump might need to be replaced. But, for $150 I could save myself... hrs of pain?
It seems the t-stat assembly could go (getting 203* from Dieselsite), but the upper and lower t-stat housings are confusing. I've read my Haynes and Ford workshop manual, does the billet housing replace the need for both parts?
Cooling, Radiator and components, Overflow hose, Outlet, THERMOSTAT ASY- $26.56
Cooling, Radiator and components, Thermostat hsng, Upper, Upper- $20.21
Cooling, Radiator and components, Thermostat hsng, Lower, Lower- $44.64
Water pump & lower pump outlet? Should I replace? I've owned the truck five days and driven it 400 miles. I don't think I can even guess if the water pump might need to be replaced. But, for $150 I could save myself... hrs of pain?
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 407
Likes: 2
From: Mobile, AL
So what is the conventional wisdom regarding coolant filtration? Worth the $100 or maybe not. The truck already has 160k miles, so wouldn't the coolant and tranny already have passed all the residual particulate matter?
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 94
From: Delta, CO
IMHO I think Ford just cheaped out on the coolant filter. Look around at diesel engines period, you won't see them w/o filters. There is a pic on here of the drop-out of the SCA in the coolant, that's what eats up your water pump seals among other things.
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 319
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From: Kirkland, WA
It took me around 5 hours total for 3 flush cycles and pump replacement. First flush with a garden hose through heater hose T, then 2 flushes with distilled water. Don't forget to remove the thermostat and finger tighten back on the old housing prior to flushing. The Gooch directions are great. I only pulled the driver side engine coolant drain plug during drain and flush cycles though. I am sure others have done it in less time but I prefer a methodical but slower pace.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 2,298
Likes: 94
From: Delta, CO
It took me around 5 hours total for 3 flush cycles and pump replacement. First flush with a garden hose through heater hose T, then 2 flushes with distilled water. Don't forget to remove the thermostat and finger tighten back on the old housing prior to flushing. The Gooch directions are great. I only pulled the driver side engine coolant drain plug during drain and flush cycles though. I am sure others have done it in less time but I prefer a methodical but slower pace.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 29,380
Likes: 118
From: Central Coast of CA
The first time I did it, it took me a little over 6 hours, but I had problems getting all the green flushed out of my Excursion.
The second time I did it (my F250), it took me a little over 3 hours, but the Ford gold flushed much quicker and easier.
Stewart
The second time I did it (my F250), it took me a little over 3 hours, but the Ford gold flushed much quicker and easier.
Stewart
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 407
Likes: 2
From: Mobile, AL
Got the test strips, and as I suspected they came back with "recharge- 1 pt per 4 gallons." So, I think they guy never put any additives in the system. My plan is to put a pint in the degas bottle and let it mix (since the coolant "should" be 50% coolant and 50% water, approx 8 gallons total so 4 gallons of coolant = 1 pt of additive, right?).
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 407
Likes: 2
From: Mobile, AL
Ok, so it refers to total volume and not the 100% coolant volume. Thanks, and this is why FTE rocks! I think I'm going to create a "Complete Idiot's Guide to Owning a 7.3L PSD." I'm already collecting enough notes to make it pretty easy.