Antifreeze additive adding

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May 3, 2012 | 04:21 PM

Biscayne

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Mountain Pass

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Antifreeze additive adding

I just bought a 2002 F250 with 155,000 miles on the odometer. Previous owner knew nothing of the pinhole problem and never added the coolant additive. i bought a bottle today and want to add. Here in lies my problem. I do not want to add it to the over flow tank and never get it all in the block. Any ideas on how any of you guys have added it to get the majority in the engine? I thought about draining a bunch then warming it up and shutting it down with the additive being the only thing in the overflow tank, but that seems like a big pain. I am open to ideas.

May 3, 2012 | 04:29 PM

Fat Diesel

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From: Morgan Hill, CA

Pour it in the clear degas tank... I quit testing years ago and pour a bottle in every six months. No problems after 13 years and nearly 300,000 miles.

Sent from my iTurd.

May 3, 2012 | 04:31 PM

Bonanza35

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Joined: Sep 2005

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From: Norco,CA

Add it to the tank. Its the same place you check it at. It goes threw the block as soon as it warms up. Its time for a change if it has never been changed. Ford only recommends 100k before changing. Its up to you. I'd change it out and put in ELC being its a 2001. No more additives.

Chet

May 3, 2012 | 04:46 PM

Calli

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Joined: Mar 2003

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From: Hot Springs Village, Ar

Suggest you download owner's manual (2001 Ford F-250 owner's manual). It give you correct formula, no guesswork

May 3, 2012 | 04:51 PM

tdpower

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I doubt one bottle will be enough. IIRC 1 bottle brings it up about .7-.8. It's suppose to be around 1.4-2. I agree with Chet about switching over to elc. Buying the additive and test strips starts to add up after a while and can be a pita.

May 3, 2012 | 04:54 PM

tdpower

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Fat Diesel

Pour it in the clear degas tank... I quit testing years ago and pour a bottle in every six months. No problems after 13 years and nearly 300,000 miles.

Sent from my iTurd.

I've read if the level gets to high it can be hard on the water pump. Just saying..

May 3, 2012 | 06:02 PM

Whitey Ford

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I second ELC. Flush system 3 times with distilled water first. Spray block plugs a few days ahead of time with PB. They will come right out. Change out top hose with the one that goes around belt, not through.

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May 3, 2012 | 06:15 PM

Fat Diesel

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From: Morgan Hill, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdpower

I've read if the level gets to high it can be hard on the water pump. Just saying..

I'm pretty sure that's an internet rumor at this point. I've read the same, but my argument is this: If the fall-out is bigger than a water molecule, how's it going to get to the bearing when the water molecules can't get past the seal?

FWIW I've been on my method since I was at 101,000 miles when my pump gave out. Those first miles I did the test strips. The second nearly 200,000 miles I've not tested.

When these trucks came out there was a lot of "talk" that you had to keep it in a tight range. Too high and you'd damage the pump, too low and you'd damage the engine. The truth is the range is big and there are plently of examples of people not running additive at all for years without problems as well as people like me who add at will without damage.

The best advice is to get the test strips and go by the book. In any event adding to the degas bottle is fine.