Coolant change....
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More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 687
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From: Prosper, TX
Coolant change....
So I am in need of a coolant change. I also was thinking of putting a coolant filter on my system. Then someone told me that I have an 03 and with my type of coolant I don't need a filter. Is that true?
What is the best coolant to use?
Thanks,
Kyle
What is the best coolant to use?
Thanks,
Kyle
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
There is ALOT to learn about coolants if you want to - here's a good thread:
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...formation.html
I chose Evans NPG+ and a coolant filter on my F350, but I admit - its kind of an expensive habit. I've had a couple leaks, failed radiator (crash) and R&R'ed my engine a couple of times - resulting in having to buy more coolant to top it off after inevitably spilling some... It is far superior to antifreeze and I'm glad I have it in there, but............ its expensive and ya can't get it over the counter easily.
I put CAT ELC in the Excursion (Rotella ELC would be very similar). At less than $10/gal and available in nearly every large town in USA - its adequate protection for me. With a 500k mile lifespan and no SCA's to worry about, its very economical as well. I haven't added a coolant filter yet, but thats one of those 'it can not hurt anything' kind of good ideas IMHO.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...formation.html
I chose Evans NPG+ and a coolant filter on my F350, but I admit - its kind of an expensive habit. I've had a couple leaks, failed radiator (crash) and R&R'ed my engine a couple of times - resulting in having to buy more coolant to top it off after inevitably spilling some... It is far superior to antifreeze and I'm glad I have it in there, but............ its expensive and ya can't get it over the counter easily.
I put CAT ELC in the Excursion (Rotella ELC would be very similar). At less than $10/gal and available in nearly every large town in USA - its adequate protection for me. With a 500k mile lifespan and no SCA's to worry about, its very economical as well. I haven't added a coolant filter yet, but thats one of those 'it can not hurt anything' kind of good ideas IMHO.
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
Also, I never put tap water in my cooling system if I can help it. As long as there is no oil or other contaminants, I drain and flush with distilled water to remove coolant.
The pass-side block drain (over starter) is always a PITA for me, so now I install a 1/4" petcock valve in there to make future flushes easier. The block holds a gallon or more of coolant - so yes, you really need to pull those block drains if you want a good flush and to remove that gallon of water before adding your pre-mixed coolant!!
After draining coolant and removing t-stat, I remove heater core hoses and blow heater core out, then pour water thru it until clear. Then button it all up, sans t-stat and fill with distilled. Drive around block a few times with heater on and drain again (block and all) - repeating until drained water is clear. Can ya see why I like the petcock valves? At well under $1/gal distilled water for this is less than a case of beer...
Let us know what ya end up doing!!
The pass-side block drain (over starter) is always a PITA for me, so now I install a 1/4" petcock valve in there to make future flushes easier. The block holds a gallon or more of coolant - so yes, you really need to pull those block drains if you want a good flush and to remove that gallon of water before adding your pre-mixed coolant!!
After draining coolant and removing t-stat, I remove heater core hoses and blow heater core out, then pour water thru it until clear. Then button it all up, sans t-stat and fill with distilled. Drive around block a few times with heater on and drain again (block and all) - repeating until drained water is clear. Can ya see why I like the petcock valves? At well under $1/gal distilled water for this is less than a case of beer...
Let us know what ya end up doing!!
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,928
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From: Oregon City, Oregon
Gosh I love that. I guess that we should just quit discussing stuff because it's all been covered before.
There are tons of great discussions about coolant and external filters, but why the hell not cover it again for someone who is new or has... God forbid, dial up.
Here's a link to Guzzle's coolant bypass filter.
Welcome to guzzle's Coolant Bypass Filter Mod Web Page
There are several companies that sell kits that have all the parts in one quick convenient location... RifRaff, ITP and others. If you like to fiddle around with this kind of stuff feel free to gather the parts yourself and make your own. Who knows you may come up with a better design than what's available now.
Here's a link to Gooch's coolant flush procedure.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ml#post8935201
Good luck and keep everyone posted. And remember we love pictures.
There are tons of great discussions about coolant and external filters, but why the hell not cover it again for someone who is new or has... God forbid, dial up.
Here's a link to Guzzle's coolant bypass filter.
Welcome to guzzle's Coolant Bypass Filter Mod Web Page
There are several companies that sell kits that have all the parts in one quick convenient location... RifRaff, ITP and others. If you like to fiddle around with this kind of stuff feel free to gather the parts yourself and make your own. Who knows you may come up with a better design than what's available now.
Here's a link to Gooch's coolant flush procedure.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/9...ml#post8935201
Good luck and keep everyone posted. And remember we love pictures.
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 7,793
Likes: 50
if you look up guzzle's website / mod link, you'll see its beneficial. THen, go to fleetfilter.com, order the filter base, and then go to the coolant filter tab link, order a few filters that DONT have the sca additive to it, wait til parts arrive, and in the meantime, fab up a piece of metal for the base.
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More Turbo
Joined: Nov 2005
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From: Prosper, TX
Thanks for all the help. I learned some new things in this post. I have searched and read everything on this subject but seems like something new always pops up.
Do I need a coolant filter with the type of coolant (ELC). The guy I was talking too was saying something about organic vs inorganic or something like that. He said that it should not be creating the silicate with the gold fluid in the system. Dose that make any sense? This guys sells coolant filter kits also, so he just could have told me I needed one.
Do I need a coolant filter with the type of coolant (ELC). The guy I was talking too was saying something about organic vs inorganic or something like that. He said that it should not be creating the silicate with the gold fluid in the system. Dose that make any sense? This guys sells coolant filter kits also, so he just could have told me I needed one.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,541
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From: Dallas-Ft. Worth
Gold is a hybrid-ELC meaning it DOES contain SOME SCA. I personally believe that if you do a good flush, and put in ELC, a filter isn't needed. To each his own. I WOULD run a filter with conventional or gold however.
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Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 12,782
Likes: 2,142
From: N.GA Mountains
I'll let it slide - this time!!!!! 
I can say I've had the same coolant filter for over 100k miles - no loss of flow yet (EVANS NPG+). I guess one could argue its not necessary... (I haven't put one in 2nd PSD yet largely for this reason)
I personally believe that if you do a good flush, and put in ELC, a filter isn't needed.
