There may be testimonials, but there are far too many variables to make a claim. What if it were casting sand that was cleaned out by the filters and flushed out prior to changing to the ELC? Is it the ELC or the pre-filtering and flushing of the old coolers.

And, like I said, if it was the Gold coolant, why is it not effecting every 6.0L?

The only way to make a definitive proof would be to take 100 or so 6.0L diesels, from the factory, stock and factory fill 1/2 with Gold and 1/2 with ELC, no filters, and run them hard 100k miles and compare maintenance results. Anything beyond that kind of controlled study is just anecdotal evidence.

 

There is no question in my mind that the Gold coolant is the source of the gel plugging the oil coolers. I think the casting sand, while definitely existed in some engines, was not the source of most plugged oil coolers. I've never seen a speck of sand in my engine, and my OC was plugged at 71k miles.

I noted above that my coolant filter has been in place for over a year, and still flows freely. I'm still using Gold coolant. So if the Gold coolant is gelling, why is my filter still flowing freely? All I can say is, it has been there for 12k miles, and it took 71k miles to plug the first time. So school is still out on that.

ELC has a short history in our 6.0 engines too. School is still out on whether it will solve the gelling problem. The fact that it is silicate free is a point in its favor. But until we see significant numbers of engines running 100k on oil coolers, we just don't know.

I'm not rushing out to change my Gold to ELC. I'm running a filter instead of worrying. I may change my mind when I open up this 12k mile coolant filter.

 

After reading over the thousands of posts concerning the Ford Gold and gelling problems it makes me wonder the same thing, why isn't it happening to every one.
My thinking is that, albeit no fault to most 6.0 owners, possibly a small exaust leak (EGR cooler) causing the reaction with the coolant to gel and plug the oil cooler. A simple coolant anaylsis would show exaust gasses in the coolant.

I am with my 2nd 6.0, and at 135,000mi. it has been the most trouble-free vehichle I have ever owned. Today was oil and fuel filter change day, and seeing that I had almost a year on my current coolant filter (22,500 mi.) I decided to change it also. After cutting it open it was spotless. I had changed the coolant at 90,000 mi. due to a stuck-open thermostat in -15f. After draining and flushing I switched to John Deere Coolgard II, a heavy duty diesel coolant with a 6 year/6,000hrs. service interval. Its still a low silicate HOAT, similar to Ford Gold.

I am in the same boat as some of you here, I just can't believe the coolant is the sole reason for all of the oil cooler failures, there has to be another contributing factor.

On a side note, I traded in my '04 on my current '07 with not a coolant related issue, still had the original Gold (100,000mi.) at the time of trade-in.