Degas Coolant Level
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Tucson US
Degas Coolant Level
Got the new (to me) truck in the signature a few months ago after selleing the 2001 7.3, and trying to get everything updated so I have a baseline for fluids/pads/etc.
Anyway, the truck has 95000 miles on the clock so I had the truck in the dealer for an oil change so I went ahead and had them do the coolant flush also. Had to argue with the service rep a little when I went to pick it up I noticed that they didn't show VC-9 on the receipt. Thanks to the experts here on FTE I was able to convince them to do the flush/coolant change the correct way.
Problem is, right now when cold, the truck has zero fluid in the degas bottle. Should I fill it (to the min line) with coolant or distilled water?
Thanks
Anyway, the truck has 95000 miles on the clock so I had the truck in the dealer for an oil change so I went ahead and had them do the coolant flush also. Had to argue with the service rep a little when I went to pick it up I noticed that they didn't show VC-9 on the receipt. Thanks to the experts here on FTE I was able to convince them to do the flush/coolant change the correct way.
Problem is, right now when cold, the truck has zero fluid in the degas bottle. Should I fill it (to the min line) with coolant or distilled water?
Thanks
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,604
Likes: 4
From: Claremore, OK
I would fill the degas with coolant...no higher than the minimum line. If it take more than half a gallon, add some distilled water....and raise 
with the dealership. You payed them for a service, the customer is always right.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 4,604
Likes: 4
From: Claremore, OK
My mistake, I had forgotten it comes 50/50 premixed. No need to add water if you happen to be low. Thank you for catching that.
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 345
Likes: 0
From: Oregon
If Ford did the flush i bet they used tap water or did you get distilled water for them. When i did mine i used 48 gallons of distilled water 3/4 gallon of Restore 3/4 gallon of Restore+ new Ford t/stat 3.5 gallons of Delo ELC coolant 12.5 hrs of my time and 1/4 tank of fuel.
pop
pop
Senior User
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: Sewanee, Tennessee
If you don't have the decal on the degas bottle that reflects the revised maximum level on the bottle, make sure you only fill with 50/50 mix to the MIN mark. The bottles were improperly calibrated. Ford's fix is to put on a decal which has a lower MAX mark than the one on the bottle itself.
Hotshot
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 17,400
Likes: 319
From: Whittier, CA
It is not unusual for the coolant level to drop over the course of a few days after a flush. I don't fault the dealer for that. You can either add some yourself, to the proper level as others noted, or take it back to the dealer and they will be happy to top it off for you. If you do it yourself, make absolutely sure you use the same coolant.
Once you have topped it up, if it continues to drop over the next few days/weeks, then it is OH! OH! time.
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Tuned
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 491
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From: Tampa, FL
Run your heater while you drive for awhile as well to purge any air that may be trapped in the heater circuit. That could affect your coolant level.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Tucson US
Thanks for all the replies. When starting to get close to home yesterday rolled the windows down (still low 80's here in Southern Az) and cranked the heater up to 90 for the rest of the way. Let the truck sit for a couple of hours and checked and voila, coolant in the tank. So, it must have been trapped air in the system. Also the coolant was a clear gold, so they used the right stuff!
Buddy
Buddy
Got Diesel?
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,345
Likes: 22
I would check your paperwork... how many gallons did they charge you for?
Your truck uses 3.5 - 3.75 gallons of coolant for a 50/50 mixture of water and coolant.
If they used the full 3.5 gallons, then you would only add distilled water to bring the level up to the MIN level.
If they used less than 3.5 gallons, then you should check the concentration of coolant with a meter and see how much "protection" you have. I would add straight coolant and may some water (trying to get to the proper -34F or temp range).
You can have as much 60% concentration... but 50/50 is best.
I would run your truck and usual and with the heater (not all the time due to outside temps)... and check it each evening (release the degas bottle cap to expell any trapped air and pressure.
Mine took 2 days for it to purge 100% of the air and remain at a stable level.
Good luck.
Your truck uses 3.5 - 3.75 gallons of coolant for a 50/50 mixture of water and coolant.
If they used the full 3.5 gallons, then you would only add distilled water to bring the level up to the MIN level.
If they used less than 3.5 gallons, then you should check the concentration of coolant with a meter and see how much "protection" you have. I would add straight coolant and may some water (trying to get to the proper -34F or temp range).
You can have as much 60% concentration... but 50/50 is best.
I would run your truck and usual and with the heater (not all the time due to outside temps)... and check it each evening (release the degas bottle cap to expell any trapped air and pressure.
Mine took 2 days for it to purge 100% of the air and remain at a stable level.
Good luck.
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 140
Likes: 0
From: Tucson US
Beach
Thanks for the advice, I'll try to run the heater the last few miles home for the next few days just to make sure. I'll also check the receipt, but I think I did that when the work was performed and I think it read 3.5 gallons but will double check to make sure.
Buddy
Thanks for the advice, I'll try to run the heater the last few miles home for the next few days just to make sure. I'll also check the receipt, but I think I did that when the work was performed and I think it read 3.5 gallons but will double check to make sure.
Buddy
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