Fuel Coolant
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Elder User
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From: Washington,KS/Lincoln,NE
Fuel Coolant
I've been searching the diesel supplement pretty thoroughly on this subject. All I see in there is to check the level of the fuel coolant. There is nothing about changing it. Is it assumed that as long as it's kept to proper level that it's good for the life of the truck? Or is it assumed that it should be changed when the engine coolant is changed?
While we're on the coolant subject, why is the factory coolant good for 100,000 miles or 6 years and subsequent changes only good for 50,000 miles or 3 years?
And then a further question: Archer Petroleum and some others now promote use of OAT (organic acid technology) antifreeze coolant. This coolant is good for 600,000 miles, 12,000 hours or 6 years whichever comes first. The only maintenance it requires is an extender at half life. CAT diesel embraces this technology. Does Ford say anything about its use in the 6.4 and other Ford diesels?
Thanks!
While we're on the coolant subject, why is the factory coolant good for 100,000 miles or 6 years and subsequent changes only good for 50,000 miles or 3 years?
And then a further question: Archer Petroleum and some others now promote use of OAT (organic acid technology) antifreeze coolant. This coolant is good for 600,000 miles, 12,000 hours or 6 years whichever comes first. The only maintenance it requires is an extender at half life. CAT diesel embraces this technology. Does Ford say anything about its use in the 6.4 and other Ford diesels?
Thanks!
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From: Frederick, MD
Subscribing...I have never thought too much about the fuel coolant, other than the level. I have had to add a little maybe once or twice.
I have no real idea of the technology of either types of coolants.
I have wondered though if a guy could switch to the orange kind and get away with it.
I would assume though if you were able to switch to anything other than the recommend by ford type you would really have to give it a good cleaning and flushing of all components...if it were possible.
I have no real idea of the technology of either types of coolants.
I have wondered though if a guy could switch to the orange kind and get away with it.
I would assume though if you were able to switch to anything other than the recommend by ford type you would really have to give it a good cleaning and flushing of all components...if it were possible.
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Elder User
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From: Washington,KS/Lincoln,NE
I think that unless the stuff looked really crappy, I'd just drain it and refill. It might be more critical to make sure one didn't have air pockets left in things like EGR coolers, etc., after the refill.
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From: Isanti, MN
I wouldn't do it...
Paul is an engineer who works for Ford and has posted some extremely helpful stuff in the 6.7L forum. Here's what he said when asked about the orange OAT coolant used in the 6.7L PSD:
Just the fact that the 6.4L wasn't designed to use OAT would scare me away. 
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.
................
-Paul
Disclaimer: I work at Ford, but this is my own opinion and is not the opinion of Ford Motor Company.
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.
................
-Paul
Disclaimer: I work at Ford, but this is my own opinion and is not the opinion of Ford Motor Company.
FORD USER
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From: EARSTERN SHORE OF MD.
The fuel coolant is a not connected with the EGR coolers. It has its own pump, radator, fill cap, tank. The old EGR valves had line to it and new one you remove lines!
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Elder User
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From: Washington,KS/Lincoln,NE
We weren't talking about fuel coolant on that part of the conversation. Maybe that wasn't made clear enough?
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From: EARSTERN SHORE OF MD.
Sorry about that. The best change in coolant that I ever did was a the spin on filters. On my 7.3s I got all kinds of trash out on the first change, rust, sand, things that looked like stopleak. This was after having a flush done.
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From: Jeffersonville , Indiana
I flushed the Ford gold coolant out and put in CAT ELC (Red in color) about 10,000 miles ago and have not looked backed. International uses a ELC coolant in their versions of the 6.4 , 6.0 and 7.3 when it was produced. Just because Ford uses the Premium Gold in your diesel doesn't mean it is the best for your diesel engine. They also used the gold in alot of their gas engines , so what works well In a four cylinder gas engine is also a great diesel coolant? I think they just used what was convenient for them.
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From: Washington,KS/Lincoln,NE
Maybe Ford just used the diesel antifreeze in the 4 cylinder gasoline engine, rather than vice versa???? Multitudes of newer products are backwards compatible. I've used the same antifreeze in all my engines, except the 6.4 which still has the factory coolant in it, for years now. I bought it to meet the needs of my heavy duty diesels.
Cat ELC, as I understand it, is an OAT coolant. Is that correct? I do find their spec a bit curious. If their antifreeze is good for 600,000 miles, why is it only good for 6000 hours? That would equate to 100 miles per hour would it not? Archer's OAT coolant is good for 600,000 miles, 12,000 hours or 6 years whichever comes first. It does meet the Cat EC-1 spec, which I understand is the spec that the Cat ELC meets.
Guess I need to study my 6.4 operator's manual a bit more.
Cat ELC, as I understand it, is an OAT coolant. Is that correct? I do find their spec a bit curious. If their antifreeze is good for 600,000 miles, why is it only good for 6000 hours? That would equate to 100 miles per hour would it not? Archer's OAT coolant is good for 600,000 miles, 12,000 hours or 6 years whichever comes first. It does meet the Cat EC-1 spec, which I understand is the spec that the Cat ELC meets.
Guess I need to study my 6.4 operator's manual a bit more.
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