Guys - got 12K on my 2012 and the message "Check Coolant Additive" poped up. I am right on the marks with coolant level and I think I understand what the computer is telling me, but where does one find this additive outside of the dealer? I assume something is out of tolerance within my coolant. Any suggestions??? Is this a self clearing message that will clear once the additive is put into the system??

Thanks in advance.

 

It is just an informational message telling you to have your coolant tested. It can be cleared through the computer on the dash under 'maintenance' i think. Have your dealer test your coolant. There is a charge, but sweet talking them usually gets it waived. It did for me.

 

Thanks for the response....I will give it a try.

 

Isn't Ford using ELC in their diesel engines by now?
Our new F750 has ELC (but it also has a Cummins engine...). Our 2007 LCF trucks came with ELC also.

Hmmm, maybe the 'test coolant' message is meant to look for other things such as soot or other combustion particles. Not a bad idea actually, especially with an EGR engine. Interesting....

 

a brand new 50k truck cant drive more then 12k on the coolant before it needs to be changed? Are these new trucks flippin out of their mind! Wheres all the 7.3 trucks i need to get me one....

 

lol. The way it was explained to me is that if the truck is used hard, the coolant just needs to be tested to make sure it is holding up and will continue to do its job. More preventive than anything.

 

i understand the checking it to make sure but man, the more i read about these new trucks the more and more i wish i had a old Ford from the late 70's

 

Yeah. I wish there was as list of all of these mileage based 'surprises' as I merrily truck along so I knew what I was in for... I'm at 15K and tomorrow I get the lovely oil change, DEF top off, tire rotation, and fuel filter service.

 

I'd love to see how long a 7.3 works without you bothering to perform any checks or maintenance. Checking your air pressure, oil level, coolant additive, etc, isn't a bad idea, even if it costs a few bucks once every year or so. The only difference is at least now the truck can remind the driver so they don't forget to do it.

 

Very interesting. If these trucks ship with ELC then there may be something that we aren't being told. We have 3 brand new trucks 2011 and 2012 models. 1 each for Freightliner, Ford and International. I don't remember any of those trucks giving a 'check coolant' message and I know at least two of them have gone well past 12,000 miles by now.

If Ford is still using their Gold stuff then they are clearly looking to maintain a proper SCA balance. They did the same thing for the 7.3 engines because they chose to use standard green coolant instead of ELC per Navistar's recommendations. Per the manual, the original 7.3 coolant needs to be tested every 12k miles. I just assumed that all manufacturers has switched to ELC by now...

 

On our class 8 trucks we check the coolant @ every oil change - using test strips to monitor additive levels and looking @ Ph. They are all equipped w/ ELC coolant. (granted our oil change intervals are waaaaaay longer than you'd ever be able to do on a med duty truck)

ELCs are virtually maintenance free but do need to be watched as they age. Its not just the coolant you're actually watching - various materials in the cooling system degrade w/ time and use which can actually change the Ph of the system to slightly acidic. The additive pack in the coolant can normally absorb most of these changes but after many many hard miles the pack is just exhausted. Its the combo of: high heat + long miles + cooling system materials. Eventually even an ELC will need to be changed but by then the engine is usually near it's 1st overhaul and you'll be draining it soon anyway.

Most people don't keep there cars/trucks long enough (or reach high enough miles) to be exposed to this. Also think this may be part of a lessons learned from the 6.4L on Ford's part. I've heard a couple of mechanics say that they thought coolant may have been related to some of the radiator leaks they've seen on the early 6.4's

 

Should I put coolant additive in my 99 f350 7.3 ,when I change my coolant?

 

I agree and have been saying this for years. Diesels aren't diesels any more. They are pansy boxes that need constant attention...

Our 94.5 7.3 has had the original coolant for 300K miles. It only got changed because the radiator rotted out. Truck has 450K on it now and never once had a EGR, DEF, HPFP, HPOP, UVCH, or computer problem.

 

Search the 6.7 forum for coolant message. There's a thread or two there that explains your options. (Would provide link if not on my phone) My beloved old 7.3 coolant got changed several times in the ten years I had it because of the ph levels were too high.