Coolant test not needed anymore?
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 148
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Coolant test not needed anymore?
I got my first coolant check message (12k) and I called the dealer to see if they would do it for free and if I needed an appointment. The diesel service advisor told me that it is no longer needed and that Ford no longer requires it. The advisor stated the newest trucks are not even programmed to have the message come up.
Am I getting smoke blown? Anyone else heard of this? The dealer offered to do it for free for me since I wanted the proof for my warranty, even after continually telling me it wasnt necessary anymore.
Am I getting smoke blown? Anyone else heard of this? The dealer offered to do it for free for me since I wanted the proof for my warranty, even after continually telling me it wasnt necessary anymore.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
I've not heard this.
VC-3-B Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant is required to be checked so unless Ford is using some magical new coolant in our 6.7L engines, testing coolant at each 15,000 miles is still important as far as I know.
In the 2011 diesel engine manual there is a "Coolant additives" section on page 48.
Is this the same in your manual or somewhere around your page 48?
I don't have a 2012 manual otherwise I would look myself.
This is from the 2011 4th printing.
Edit: realized you have a 2011; I'll direct that question to the new 2012 owners.
VC-3-B Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant is required to be checked so unless Ford is using some magical new coolant in our 6.7L engines, testing coolant at each 15,000 miles is still important as far as I know.
In the 2011 diesel engine manual there is a "Coolant additives" section on page 48.
Is this the same in your manual or somewhere around your page 48?
I don't have a 2012 manual otherwise I would look myself.
This is from the 2011 4th printing.
Edit: realized you have a 2011; I'll direct that question to the new 2012 owners.
Last edited by kper05; Dec 22, 2011 at 12:32 AM. Reason: Added edit...
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
Forgot the details and I realized you do have a 2011:
At specific mileage intervals of 15,000 miles (24,000 km), as listed in the
scheduled maintenance information chapter, the coolant additive
should be checked. The optional message center, if equipped, will also
display the message CHECK COOLANT ADDITIVE at this time. The
purpose of checking is to verify the correct concentration (freeze point
protection) and additive strength (corrosion inhibitor) levels of the
coolant for maximum engine performance and protection. Three
products are available for ensuring the life and health of the coolant: two
test kits and a coolant inhibitor additive:
Rotunda 328-00007 (Matthew’s Water CoolCheck) – Evaluates water
quality (hardness, chloride, and pH) for 50/50 mixture of coolant and
distilled water. Use distilled water. If distilled water is unavailable,
water meeting the requirements of Rotunda 328-00007, is sufficient
for vehicle use. Using water that fails to meet the requirements can
lead to coolant passage scaling and degrade the engine’s durability and
performance.
Rotunda 328-00008 (Antifreeze Coolant ELC Contamination Kit) –
Evaluates the coolant concentration (freeze point protection) and
additive strength (corrosion inhibitor) for overall coolant health. Note
that the first step is to verify that the vehicle’s coolant concentration
is in the window of 40 – 60%. If the concentration falls outside of that
window, the evaluation of the corrosion inhibitor strength will not be
valid. If the report results in a pass the cooling system does not show
excessive contamination. No action is required. If the report results as
insufficient, the corrosion inhibitor (additive) strength of the coolant
is too low. Add entire contents of one bottle of Motorcraft Specialty
Orange Engine Coolant Revitalizer to the coolant reservoir. The
coolant can be recharged with this additive up to two times before the
coolant must be changed-out. When exchanging the full coolant
volume, the system must be flushed and refilled with distilled water
and coolant concentrate (Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine
Coolant).
Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant Revitalizer – Additive to
boost the corrosion inhibitor level based upon the test results of the
Antifreeze Coolant ELC Contamination Kit. The revitalizer may be
added two times over the life of the coolant. If additional dosages are
required, the cooling system must be flushed and refilled with distilled
water and coolant concentrate (Motorcraft Specialty Orange
Coolant).
Refer to Maintenance product specifications and capacities in this
chapter for the proper coolant and additive specifications.
scheduled maintenance information chapter, the coolant additive
should be checked. The optional message center, if equipped, will also
display the message CHECK COOLANT ADDITIVE at this time. The
purpose of checking is to verify the correct concentration (freeze point
protection) and additive strength (corrosion inhibitor) levels of the
coolant for maximum engine performance and protection. Three
products are available for ensuring the life and health of the coolant: two
test kits and a coolant inhibitor additive:
Rotunda 328-00007 (Matthew’s Water CoolCheck) – Evaluates water
quality (hardness, chloride, and pH) for 50/50 mixture of coolant and
distilled water. Use distilled water. If distilled water is unavailable,
water meeting the requirements of Rotunda 328-00007, is sufficient
for vehicle use. Using water that fails to meet the requirements can
lead to coolant passage scaling and degrade the engine’s durability and
performance.
Rotunda 328-00008 (Antifreeze Coolant ELC Contamination Kit) –
Evaluates the coolant concentration (freeze point protection) and
additive strength (corrosion inhibitor) for overall coolant health. Note
that the first step is to verify that the vehicle’s coolant concentration
is in the window of 40 – 60%. If the concentration falls outside of that
window, the evaluation of the corrosion inhibitor strength will not be
valid. If the report results in a pass the cooling system does not show
excessive contamination. No action is required. If the report results as
insufficient, the corrosion inhibitor (additive) strength of the coolant
is too low. Add entire contents of one bottle of Motorcraft Specialty
Orange Engine Coolant Revitalizer to the coolant reservoir. The
coolant can be recharged with this additive up to two times before the
coolant must be changed-out. When exchanging the full coolant
volume, the system must be flushed and refilled with distilled water
and coolant concentrate (Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine
Coolant).
Motorcraft Specialty Orange Engine Coolant Revitalizer – Additive to
boost the corrosion inhibitor level based upon the test results of the
Antifreeze Coolant ELC Contamination Kit. The revitalizer may be
added two times over the life of the coolant. If additional dosages are
required, the cooling system must be flushed and refilled with distilled
water and coolant concentrate (Motorcraft Specialty Orange
Coolant).
Refer to Maintenance product specifications and capacities in this
chapter for the proper coolant and additive specifications.
Thread Starter
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Mountain Pass
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 148
Likes: 0
Yes I brought up what is in the 2011 owners manual. I looked online in My Ford Garage and the latest printing for 2011 still has the same information. I do not have access to a 2012 to compare.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
I too am interested to know what the 2012 owners report.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
Coolant and fuel filter reminders are not programmed into the basic message center.
We're on our own; check it every 15,000.
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Posting Guru
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From: WY
You're supposed to smile when you say that. 
That is strange you haven't seen the check coolant message. My truck is also a Job 1 2011 Lariat, (with the limited edition two tone seats), and my message came on just under 13000 miles.
That is strange you haven't seen the check coolant message. My truck is also a Job 1 2011 Lariat, (with the limited edition two tone seats
), and my message came on just under 13000 miles.
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Jacksonville, Florida
kper05,
I've got the XLT and the message does come on. I got it at close to 13,000. Just sayin!! Thanks, Mark
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
If the 2012's do report this info, that's good because dealers are already confused.
For 2011, the top XLT (ultimate I think) package includes the large (optional) LCD screen.
I have 25,000+ miles and the message to check my coolant has never occured.
I do have the IOLM but nothing about fuel or coolant.
At specific mileage intervals of 15,000 miles (24,000 km), as listed in the
scheduled maintenance information chapter, the coolant additive
should be checked. The optional message center, if equipped, will also
display the message CHECK COOLANT ADDITIVE at this time.
scheduled maintenance information chapter, the coolant additive
should be checked. The optional message center, if equipped, will also
display the message CHECK COOLANT ADDITIVE at this time.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 376
Likes: 1
From: Tempe, AZ
FWIW, I didn't get a check coolant message until about 28,000 miles.
Joe