Check Coolant additive message !
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New User
Joined: Dec 2010
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Check Coolant additive message !
Wasn't able to post a question here, so am doing it this way. I have a 2011 F250 SD with the new 6.6 diesel. Yesterday at 12,500 miles the "check coolant additive" message came on. I went to the dealer and was told the antifreeze has to be chemically analysed to make sure it is not corroding the aluminum in the engine. I have never heard of antifreeze "going bad" and in only 12,000 miles!! THe tech said the kit cost $100 and it cost $62.50 to check it. I was also told this message would come on about every 12-15K miles. WHen I asked what happens if it dosent pass the chemical test, I was told the antifreeze would have to be drained and new antifreeze would have to be put in at a cost of $33 per gallon + labor. THis truck is becoming a bit too expensive to own with the diesel exhaust fluid, $200 fuel filter every 15k miles and now possible antifreeze change every 15-30K miles. I am real concerned what will happen what will happen after this truck is a few years old. Will the engine be destroyed from the antifreeze and the truck be worthless? I am considering selling or trading now to avoid any further loss.
Anyone else experiencing this problem? Is Ford doing anything about it?
Anyone else experiencing this problem? Is Ford doing anything about it?
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New User
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 5
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Not according to the dealer. Antifreeze is not covered under warranty. It would be nice if Ford told you about this upfront. It makes me wonder how many other surprises lurk behind the scenes. Are these "messages" pre-programmed to pop up at specifice intervals so you have to take the truck back to the dealer so they can make extra money??? Never had this kind of stuff with Chevy.
Laughing Gas
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 939
Likes: 1
From: Central Kansas
Sorry, I can't help you - but post your question down in the 6.7 forum, I'm sure those guys can help. Doesn't sound right to me but I know zilch about those engines.
Here's a link: 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
Or could a mod maybe move it down there?
Here's a link: 6.7L Power Stroke Diesel - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums
Or could a mod maybe move it down there?
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 26
From: Chino, California
I'd say just go do a coolant flush. If you pay for the test and it fails, you'll still need to flush it anyways. Skip the test and use that money towards the flush.
$100 kit and $62.50 to check it? Geez.....
$100 kit and $62.50 to check it? Geez.....
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,885
Likes: 26
From: Chino, California
No need to waste an additional $162.50. You'll need to flush it eventually.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
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From: CA Bay Area
Another way for Ford CEOs to pay their multimillion dollars salary.
That in times when the rest of the World makes chem pack that allows coolant to be run for 15 years/150,000 miles with no worry.
That in times when the rest of the World makes chem pack that allows coolant to be run for 15 years/150,000 miles with no worry.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,521
Likes: 11
From: Greenwood, SC
That message appears at pre determined intervals, not sure if it is hours or miles. Probably hours.
It is just a ph check, you can buy the kit online and do it yourself.
I pretty much ignore it now. Check it every other time, not every time it comes on. The coolant is a 100,000 mile coolant.
Your dealer is over charging you. They should check it for free, most will. You have a choice here, I would go to a different dealer or buy the kit and do it yourself.
This 6.7 diesel is not a "money pit" like you say. It is possible to get nickel and dimed to death with the wrong service dept and bad advice.
Fuel filters are important on any vehicle. DEF costs pennies per mile, oil change interval is a money saver, this coolant deal is making people panic unnecessarily.
The ford SD is a vehicle that is very versatile and capable, not a run of the mill vehicle, it's a piece of equipment that needs regular attention.
It is just a ph check, you can buy the kit online and do it yourself.
I pretty much ignore it now. Check it every other time, not every time it comes on. The coolant is a 100,000 mile coolant.
Your dealer is over charging you. They should check it for free, most will. You have a choice here, I would go to a different dealer or buy the kit and do it yourself.
This 6.7 diesel is not a "money pit" like you say. It is possible to get nickel and dimed to death with the wrong service dept and bad advice.
Fuel filters are important on any vehicle. DEF costs pennies per mile, oil change interval is a money saver, this coolant deal is making people panic unnecessarily.
The ford SD is a vehicle that is very versatile and capable, not a run of the mill vehicle, it's a piece of equipment that needs regular attention.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 400
Likes: 1
From: Gulf Coast, Texas
The test strips cost less than $100 and you can do do the check yourself. As noted already, the message is not a warning that something is wrong but rather a reminder. So the dealer wants you to pay for a complete kit plus service fee for one check?!
$200 for fuel filters?! You can easily change these yourself easily in under 5 minutes for about $100.
It's not the 6.7 costing you too much $$$ it is your dealer.
$200 for fuel filters?! You can easily change these yourself easily in under 5 minutes for about $100.
It's not the 6.7 costing you too much $$$ it is your dealer.