"Check Coolant Additive"
Tuned
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 474
Likes: 45
From: Berryville, AR
I guess it is time for me to wake up this old thread and ask you guys how do you test both primary and secondary loops, if there is only one petcock? I just got the message today and I have ordered my two test kits. Thanks!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 463
Likes: 1
From: San Marcos, TX
I did my 1st test yesterday. The first test strip showed orange for the RA test so I put the 5ml of coolant into one of the orange capped bottles. Tested it again but with a contamination strip. It passed. All too simple, but... this kit doesn't explain about adding the coolant additive. I would assume that if it failed the first "RA" test then you would put in the additive? Because if it fails the second test then you have to replace the coolant.
I took the sample out of the main coolant reservoir as the instructions say. Where would I take a "secondary" coolant sample? Nothing is mentioned in the Rotunda kit about doing 2 tests.
I took the sample out of the main coolant reservoir as the instructions say. Where would I take a "secondary" coolant sample? Nothing is mentioned in the Rotunda kit about doing 2 tests.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,929
Likes: 287
From: EC Iowa
secondary cooling
The other surge tank on passenger side, it's a smaller tank.
If you want to learn more go to the top of the page and look for (Read first 6.7 tech folder) click on this and look for (Coffee table book)
It has a lot of great info on 6.7.
Good luck!
If you want to learn more go to the top of the page and look for (Read first 6.7 tech folder) click on this and look for (Coffee table book)
It has a lot of great info on 6.7.
Good luck!
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,227
Likes: 4,240
From: Kaysville Utah
There are TWO drain pet*****. One on the drivers side and one on the passengers side. One is the primary and one is the secondary.
You only Flush and refill if you fall the Nitrite test.
If you fail the Corrosion Inhibitor (contamination) test, This failure does not indicate a drain, flush and refill, You need to add the VC-12 additive. Which will bring the Carboxylates back to a level that will provide protection. You can add the additive twice during the coolants life. ( 105,000 miles)
Carboxylates are a fatty acid that coats the metal parts that the coolant comes in contact with. This coating protects the metal from corrosion. From what I've read, it takes about 5000 miles for this coating to be applied. So you add the rejuvenator and it slowly coats the engine parts as the coolant is moved thru the system. Hence it's important to keep it at the proper level.
You only Flush and refill if you fall the Nitrite test.
If you fail the Corrosion Inhibitor (contamination) test, This failure does not indicate a drain, flush and refill, You need to add the VC-12 additive. Which will bring the Carboxylates back to a level that will provide protection. You can add the additive twice during the coolants life. ( 105,000 miles)
Carboxylates are a fatty acid that coats the metal parts that the coolant comes in contact with. This coating protects the metal from corrosion. From what I've read, it takes about 5000 miles for this coating to be applied. So you add the rejuvenator and it slowly coats the engine parts as the coolant is moved thru the system. Hence it's important to keep it at the proper level.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 463
Likes: 1
From: San Marcos, TX
This is why I asked the question. The Rotunda instructions say if the contamination test does not pass, then flush and replace the coolant. It says nothing about adding VC-12.
"If you fail the Corrosion Inhibitor (contamination) test, This failure does not indicate a drain, flush and refill, You need to add the VC-12 additive. Which will bring the Carboxylates back to a level that will provide protection. You can add the additive twice during the coolants life. ( 105,000 miles)"
"If you fail the Corrosion Inhibitor (contamination) test, This failure does not indicate a drain, flush and refill, You need to add the VC-12 additive. Which will bring the Carboxylates back to a level that will provide protection. You can add the additive twice during the coolants life. ( 105,000 miles)"
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 5,158
Likes: 35
From: North of Salt Lake City
Hey PH. You've come a long way in understanding the coolant systems on these trucks. Remember when we tested our trucks in my garage? That's when we figured out how the little cam pet***** worked but only after drizzling a lot of coolant down my arm and onto the floor. Good times.
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,227
Likes: 4,240
From: Kaysville Utah
So true Epic!
With 90,000 miles on mine now, I've done a few test.
Lastwagen, The instruction say to flush and refill IF you fail the nitrite test or if you find that the coolant has been contaminate with Nitrites. That is the only test that directs you to flush and refill
With 90,000 miles on mine now, I've done a few test.
Lastwagen, The instruction say to flush and refill IF you fail the nitrite test or if you find that the coolant has been contaminate with Nitrites. That is the only test that directs you to flush and refill
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 463
Likes: 1
From: San Marcos, TX
This is what I got from dieselfiltersonline when I asked for the Rotunda test kit. It might be the same but the instructions don't match what I'm seeing from others. I'll be calling them again today.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,227
Likes: 4,240
From: Kaysville Utah
Read the Ford Super Duty Workshop Manual
Post #6
Coolant Test Analysis - Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com
Post #6
Coolant Test Analysis - Diesel Forum - TheDieselStop.com
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,598
Likes: 5
From: Maryland
Let us know what the dealer says. Most of the people commenting on having the dealer check it say that it fails and needs a flush and refill. I still for the life of me can't figure out why they say the coolant is good for a certain amount of time and miles yet still require it to be test so often.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
I've had the dealer check mine three times and it's been fine.
Only the optional message center provides a prompt, which uses similar programming as the oil monitor to decide when it should be checked.
Which is based on idle time, driving habits and a few other factors.
The basic screen doesn't prompt so the manual states every 15,000 miles.
Based on that, 15,000 is safe otherwise Ford would have provided the prompt on the XL and XLT trucks, too.
Only the optional message center provides a prompt, which uses similar programming as the oil monitor to decide when it should be checked.
Which is based on idle time, driving habits and a few other factors.
The basic screen doesn't prompt so the manual states every 15,000 miles.
Based on that, 15,000 is safe otherwise Ford would have provided the prompt on the XL and XLT trucks, too.
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 538
Likes: 45
From: Lansing, MI
I crawled under the truck today and located the pet***** and tried to move them with just my fingers to no avail. In an effort not to break them when using the wrench which way do they turn and how far should I turn them?