Notices
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel 2003 - 2007 F250, F350 pickup and F350+ Cab Chassis, 2003 - 2005 Excursion and 2003 - 2009 van

Coolant flush question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 22, 2012 | 12:45 PM
  #1  
Poorboy04's Avatar
Poorboy04
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Coolant flush question

I bought a 2003 f-350 6.0 about a month ago and I have been doing some maintenance to the truck the other day I started to do a coolant flush and drained the coolant and filled it up with distilled water let the truck run for 30 mins and drain it 3 times with the heater on and it was coming out clear water on the third time that's when I realized I was an (dumb a**) cause the thermostat wasn't opening to clean the whole system so I went and bought 15 more gallons of distilled water filled the coolant system up again and drove the truck for 45 mins for the thermostat to open up and circulate everything real good I drained it and it was pretty dirty goldish brown more brown then gold so I did the whole cycle one more time and drained it it was cleaner but not clear distilled water not thinking I figured that was good enough went ahead and installed my coolant filter and filled the system up with 3 1/2 gallons of ford gold antifreeze do you think this is ok even that I didnt flush it until the distilled water was clear coming out or should I just say I wasted 150 dollars due to stupidity and flush the whole system again
 
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2012 | 03:36 PM
  #2  
Yahiko's Avatar
Yahiko
Fleet Owner
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
Spend a bit more and get a filter on it.
When you change the filter each time just
unscrew it from the mount and put the coolant that
is in the filter in a clear container and look at what is there.
then cut the canister open and have a look at the
filter media for grit and crap. If you see a lot of junk
and then re-flush with Restore and Restore+.
Use the info in the tech folder for a how to.
Do you have some thing to keep an eye on the deltas?
If not then you want some thing like the ScanGuage II
and program in the X-guages. Other things will work
it just the SGII is less money, easy and does a good job.

Sean
 

Last edited by Yahiko; Jul 22, 2012 at 05:06 PM. Reason: Spelling and missed something
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2012 | 03:56 PM
  #3  
Poorboy04's Avatar
Poorboy04
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
I have a filter on it also I have a scanguage 2 and the delta stayed around 5 degress so far
 
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2012 | 04:04 PM
  #4  
BLADE35's Avatar
BLADE35
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,072
Likes: 242
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
even driving till thermostat opens dont really circulate even at 190* thermostat is only cracked open

Dont sound like it too dirty though

but next time pull the thermostat out set truck to high idel or 1100rpm for an hour with cleaners in it

Iv done Both ways pulling thermostat was best also drain the Block drains
 
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2012 | 05:09 PM
  #5  
Yahiko's Avatar
Yahiko
Fleet Owner
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
I must agree with BLADE35
Your deltas are looking good
How have the filters been looking when you changed them ?

Sean
 
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2012 | 05:31 PM
  #6  
Poorboy04's Avatar
Poorboy04
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Just put the filter on when I flushed it so I don't know yet what I was worried about as the ratio of coolant to distilled water
 
Reply
Old Jul 22, 2012 | 06:47 PM
  #7  
BLADE35's Avatar
BLADE35
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,072
Likes: 242
From: Saratoga Springs,UT
Originally Posted by Poorboy04
Just put the filter on when I flushed it so I don't know yet what I was worried about as the ratio of coolant to distilled water


You need 3.5 Gallons Full Strength Coolant with all the water the 6.0L cooling system holds even when block drains are pulled that will get a touch strong 50/50mix

If you are in question they sell a cheap Hydrometer to check the coolant strength like 5 bucks at auto parts store to test with
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Danner717
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
11
Jan 13, 2016 01:52 AM
cabloom300
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
5
Jan 17, 2014 06:29 PM
hawkeyestoob
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
50
Oct 19, 2012 10:48 PM
DevilDocTater
6.0L Power Stroke Diesel
3
Feb 17, 2012 08:17 PM
King0581
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel
8
May 19, 2008 09:57 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:12 AM.

story-0
This Hennessey Takes the Expedition Tremor's Off-Roading Capability to the Next Level

Slideshow: The VelociRaptor Expedition gains a lift, upgraded suspension, Brembo brakes, and trail-ready equipment while retaining the stock 440-horsepower EcoBoost V6.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-12 11:01:55


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-2
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-7
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE