Powerstrokehelp Coolant Flush Procedure
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,992
Likes: 2,682
From: The Great State of Texas
Just curious... I noticed in Bill's video he states he's seen some Ford shop's don't use distilled water which I know my local Ford shop doesn't use distilled water at all, however at the shop my cousin works at they have a DI filter system to remove any impurities from the water.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,992
Likes: 2,682
From: The Great State of Texas
The ELC seems to be working for a lot of folks, including International. It may be too early in the game to tell how it's going to work on the 6.0, but IMHO it's a good choice. Ford CANNOT require you to use a product for warranty or deny you warranty unless they supply that product to you at NO CHARGE.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,931
Likes: 3,653
Just be aware that there are differences between "distilled water", "reverse osmosis water", "de-ionized water", "softened water", "purified water", etc.
I would only use distilled water or water de-ionized with reverse osmosis personally. Lots of other systems only partially remove dissolved solids, some only filter out solids and run the water across carbon to remove color and minor organics.
If a shop said they had a water purification system, I would advise to look it over or question it pretty carefully. If it is a system designed to remove MOST of the dissolved salts (like RO), then it will cost some money to operate (filters, high pump pressure, membrane cleaning) and can even be a pain to operate/maintain. I doubt that many shops would operate one of these (and I guarantee they don't distill the water). IMO, you are better off providing the water or doing it yourself.
Oh - and one more POB - great write up Mike.
I would only use distilled water or water de-ionized with reverse osmosis personally. Lots of other systems only partially remove dissolved solids, some only filter out solids and run the water across carbon to remove color and minor organics.
If a shop said they had a water purification system, I would advise to look it over or question it pretty carefully. If it is a system designed to remove MOST of the dissolved salts (like RO), then it will cost some money to operate (filters, high pump pressure, membrane cleaning) and can even be a pain to operate/maintain. I doubt that many shops would operate one of these (and I guarantee they don't distill the water). IMO, you are better off providing the water or doing it yourself.
Oh - and one more POB - great write up Mike.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
These newer OAT coolants provide significant benefits vs. the traditional glycol based derivatives. Cooling performance requirements continue to scale upward with higher engine horsepower and torque ratings along with decreases in NOx & CO2 emissions compliance requirements.
Heat exchanger technology for things like tube material, changes in base metals, gauge thickness, high efficient heat transfer methods and some of the more obscure influences such as the heat exchanger core solder flux that's used during the manufacturing process all have an impact on coolant life. Using the incorrect coolant type can cause nasty things to happen like gel formation.
Heat exchanger technology for things like tube material, changes in base metals, gauge thickness, high efficient heat transfer methods and some of the more obscure influences such as the heat exchanger core solder flux that's used during the manufacturing process all have an impact on coolant life. Using the incorrect coolant type can cause nasty things to happen like gel formation.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 526
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
I respectfully disagree with that. A fairly high percentage of the oil coolers that I have replaced were highly restricted and many were absolutely PLUGGED. No cooling system flushing product will clear a plugged or highly restricted cooler because of the lack of flow and the density of the deposits.
Secondly, because of the restriction and lack of flow, the passages in the front cover and the engine block that feed and return coolant to the oil and EGR coolers will not be flushed as a result. I can see that there is a lot of debate over how effective the VC-9 coolant flush is and whether suspected particles left behind will get caught in a new cooler. If flushed post repair I would consider any suspected particles negligible when compared to the crap that will be left behind if flushed pre-repair.
Of the several hundred cooler repairs that have come through my shop I am aware of only one repeat failure which I have no doubt in my mind was caused by a continued lack of maintenance and attention to that customer's cooling system. Beleive it or not there are many vehicle owners who simply don't care nor learn from experience. The key here is to follow the procedure, use the correct flushing chemicals, allow enough time for the chemicals to work effectively and back flush the system adequately.
.
Secondly, because of the restriction and lack of flow, the passages in the front cover and the engine block that feed and return coolant to the oil and EGR coolers will not be flushed as a result. I can see that there is a lot of debate over how effective the VC-9 coolant flush is and whether suspected particles left behind will get caught in a new cooler. If flushed post repair I would consider any suspected particles negligible when compared to the crap that will be left behind if flushed pre-repair.
Of the several hundred cooler repairs that have come through my shop I am aware of only one repeat failure which I have no doubt in my mind was caused by a continued lack of maintenance and attention to that customer's cooling system. Beleive it or not there are many vehicle owners who simply don't care nor learn from experience. The key here is to follow the procedure, use the correct flushing chemicals, allow enough time for the chemicals to work effectively and back flush the system adequately.
.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,931
Likes: 3,653
Keith -
What if the ECT / EOT delta were right at the 15 degree limit (or only slightly over)? Wouldn't you still be able to get sufficient flow to the engine components like the front cover and block with the old cooler in place? It is still functioning at that delta T, just partially impaired ......
What if the ECT / EOT delta were right at the 15 degree limit (or only slightly over)? Wouldn't you still be able to get sufficient flow to the engine components like the front cover and block with the old cooler in place? It is still functioning at that delta T, just partially impaired ......
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 526
Likes: 4
From: New Jersey
If you still have somewhat effective cooling then it stands to reason that you have flow. The problem with the 15 degree specification is that too many people consider it the be all to end all in diagnosing EGR cooler concerns. Personally I think it's ridiculous how people agonize over it. What makes 14 degrees okay and 16 degrees not okay? You need to be mindful of the operation of the entire system like debris in the cooling stack, cooling fan operation, air in the system and so forth.
But to answer your question with some professional insight and experience, when it comes to EOT/ECT temperature differentials, how do you know whether you just have a light crusty build up on the metal surfaces inside the cooler heat exchanger or an inch of silt laying in the bottom? The answer is that you can't tell until you actually remove it from the truck and inspect it. Therefore, you might say that there is a chance you still have adequate flow then again, maybe not. See where this is going?
But to answer your question with some professional insight and experience, when it comes to EOT/ECT temperature differentials, how do you know whether you just have a light crusty build up on the metal surfaces inside the cooler heat exchanger or an inch of silt laying in the bottom? The answer is that you can't tell until you actually remove it from the truck and inspect it. Therefore, you might say that there is a chance you still have adequate flow then again, maybe not. See where this is going?
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,992
Likes: 2,682
From: The Great State of Texas
Just be aware that there are differences between "distilled water", "reverse osmosis water", "de-ionized water", "softened water", "purified water", etc.
I would only use distilled water or water de-ionized with reverse osmosis personally. Lots of other systems only partially remove dissolved solids, some only filter out solids and run the water across carbon to remove color and minor organics.
If a shop said they had a water purification system, I would advise to look it over or question it pretty carefully. If it is a system designed to remove MOST of the dissolved salts (like RO), then it will cost some money to operate (filters, high pump pressure, membrane cleaning) and can even be a pain to operate/maintain. I doubt that many shops would operate one of these (and I guarantee they don't distill the water). IMO, you are better off providing the water or doing it yourself.
Oh - and one more POB - great write up Mike.
I would only use distilled water or water de-ionized with reverse osmosis personally. Lots of other systems only partially remove dissolved solids, some only filter out solids and run the water across carbon to remove color and minor organics.
If a shop said they had a water purification system, I would advise to look it over or question it pretty carefully. If it is a system designed to remove MOST of the dissolved salts (like RO), then it will cost some money to operate (filters, high pump pressure, membrane cleaning) and can even be a pain to operate/maintain. I doubt that many shops would operate one of these (and I guarantee they don't distill the water). IMO, you are better off providing the water or doing it yourself.
Oh - and one more POB - great write up Mike.
Doing EGR coolers, head gasket's jobs and coolant flushes requires alot of pure water and beats having to purchase and inventory distilled water in your parts department.
Most customers don't have a clue that these coolant systems require pure water like distilled and/or DI and providing this type of service goes to show the quality of a shop.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 6 Best Deals Available on New Fords & Lincolns Right Now
Brett Foote
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals
Joe Kucinski
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership
Brett Foote
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches
Pouria Savadkouei
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained
Brett Foote
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath
Verdad Gallardo
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,992
Likes: 2,682
From: The Great State of Texas
I'm due for a coolant flush next month and I'll be installing Ford Gold coolant.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,992
Likes: 2,682
From: The Great State of Texas
If you still have somewhat effective cooling then it stands to reason that you have flow. The problem with the 15 degree specification is that too many people consider it the be all to end all in diagnosing EGR cooler concerns. Personally I think it's ridiculous how people agonize over it. What makes 14 degrees okay and 16 degrees not okay? You need to be mindful of the operation of the entire system like debris in the cooling stack, cooling fan operation, air in the system and so forth.
But I believe Ford had to set a specification with some safety margin so 15 degrees it is.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,931
Likes: 3,653
sorry for the hijack ..........
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
AMG-SM
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
29
Sep 9, 2019 11:47 AM
99ExpyProblems
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
30
Sep 1, 2018 07:45 AM
parcours
6.4L Power Stroke Diesel
21
Nov 13, 2015 09:10 AM
