coolant
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New User
Joined: Jan 2010
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coolant
as long as i have had my truck which has been for 5 years now i have never changed the coolant in it. But before i bought the truck the thermostat never moved off the cold mark but it puts out plenty of hot air tho. Some people tell me to change the fluid and the thermostat and it will run better, but some people tell me and i try to go by (if its not broke dont mess with it) Any ideas
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 311
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From: Santa Barbara and Ottawa
The coolant has (should have) an additive to reduce/prevent cavitation which is a known issue with the engine design. It is in theory possible to buy the additive separately, but I haven't found it as readily available as "heavy duty diesel coolant" with anti cavitation mix in it already. You should also in theory be able to find test strips for the coolant. Presumably at the same place you would buy the additive.
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,034
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I thaugh the same thing about my thermostat, my water pump went the other day and keeping in mind the temp never went above the "o" on the temp gauge, when I pulled the water pump and switch over the thermostat is was stamped 183 degree or something stupid.....so I dropped it on the ground and stomped on it before I convinced myself to put it back in.
I installed a 195 degree thermostat and ran the truck down the highway. Before I thaught I had "lots of heat"........... boy was I wrong. Living in Canada with as cold as it gets, I'll be driving my truck in my gitch this winter. Makes me wounder what the 203 degree thermostat is like.
As for your coolant question. Go to and truck dealer and you can buy the heavy duty diesil anti-freeze you need. You can also pick up some test stripps too, you kinda want to stay ontop of the DCA additive in the anti-freeze to prevent cavitation.
I installed a 195 degree thermostat and ran the truck down the highway. Before I thaught I had "lots of heat"........... boy was I wrong. Living in Canada with as cold as it gets, I'll be driving my truck in my gitch this winter. Makes me wounder what the 203 degree thermostat is like.
As for your coolant question. Go to and truck dealer and you can buy the heavy duty diesil anti-freeze you need. You can also pick up some test stripps too, you kinda want to stay ontop of the DCA additive in the anti-freeze to prevent cavitation.
Lead Driver
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 9,236
Likes: 12
From: Senoia, GA
i run Fleet Charge from TSC and then i run and bypass filter with the SCA additive in the filter. i used to test the coolant but it was always fine so i quit and instead just replace the filter once a year. every now and again i will grab a test strip from a buddy just for kicks and have never had problems.
http://www.tractorsupply.com/vehicle...1-gal--8000177
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http://www.tractorsupply.com/vehicle...1-gal--8000177
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