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Coolant System Flush

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Old Jan 23, 2013 | 11:00 AM
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Coolant System Flush

2011 F250 Lariat 6.7L

Just got the "Check Coolant Additive" message for the second round at about 27,000 miles, so I call the dealer to schedule a check and the first words from the service rep are that the system needs flushed and fluids replaced. First round check at 13,500 miles results were that the nitrite level was good(3.5). Is a complete flush realistic at this mileage? What have others seen from dealers as far as cost?
 
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Old Jan 23, 2013 | 11:37 AM
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That does not sound correct, I do not remember the exact mileage but the coolent should be good for almost 100k, the levels need to be check every 15k according to the book. i have 33k on mine 11 XLT. the XLT will NOT remind you to check coolent levels or at least mine has never reminded me. I think your truck is just reminding you to check the coolent not flush the entire system.
 
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Old Jan 23, 2013 | 11:53 AM
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If there is no contamination, and you are in the "normal" maintenance vs. severe, then 105K is the interval.
 
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Old Jan 23, 2013 | 12:19 PM
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Thanks for the insight. I thought flushing the system at 27,000 miles sounded suspicious. The truck has spent probably less than 1,000 of those miles towing anything so it definitely has not seen harsh duty. Of course this is the same dealer that when they checked it at 13,500 miles they said it needed additive so they "added VC-8" but when I questioned whether or not that was the correct additive they determined that they had not added any after all and everything was good.
 
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Old Jan 23, 2013 | 02:43 PM
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Originally Posted by WVSTROKE
Thanks for the insight. I thought flushing the system at 27,000 miles sounded suspicious. The truck has spent probably less than 1,000 of those miles towing anything so it definitely has not seen harsh duty. Of course this is the same dealer that when they checked it at 13,500 miles they said it needed additive so they "added VC-8" but when I questioned whether or not that was the correct additive they determined that they had not added any after all and everything was good.
I would find another dealer...NOW. They sound shady at best.
 
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Old Jan 23, 2013 | 04:55 PM
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They can only know if it needs to be replaced AFTER they run the tests.
Since you called them, they are simply spewing words out of their mouth without prior research.
 
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Old Jan 23, 2013 | 08:52 PM
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Exactly why I got the test kits and do it myself.
 
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Old Jan 23, 2013 | 10:59 PM
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Please go read post #56 in this thread and get a better idea of what takes place when they test the coolant.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...l#post12751321
 
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Old Jan 24, 2013 | 06:41 AM
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Dealer service managers are held accountable for slow periods. They have meetings, they're expected to keep the shop busy. If things are slow, they get pressure, and then customers get pressure. If the shop is going through a slow period, they're all getting cuts in pay.

So, obviously the guy is trying to bring business up.
 
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Old Jan 24, 2013 | 08:04 AM
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Originally Posted by ruschejj
Dealer service managers are held accountable for slow periods. They have meetings, they're expected to keep the shop busy. If things are slow, they get pressure, and then customers get pressure. If the shop is going through a slow period, they're all getting cuts in pay.

So, obviously the guy is trying to bring business up.
That's no reason to do work that is unnecessary. As was said previously find another dealer.
 
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Old Jan 24, 2013 | 08:53 AM
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Originally Posted by sgrol
That's no reason to do work that is unnecessary. As was said previously find another dealer.
That's what I meant....
 
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Old Jan 24, 2013 | 10:04 AM
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Originally Posted by ruschejj
That's what I meant....
That S Carolina accent threw me
 
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Old Jan 24, 2013 | 10:08 AM
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Originally Posted by riden82
the XLT will NOT remind you to check coolent levels or at least mine has never reminded me.
My XLT had the same message at around 15K

Rob
 
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Old Jan 24, 2013 | 12:55 PM
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Not sure what book says about flushing system, but I do know that I just spent $1600.00 replacing radeator because of corrossion. So you can bet I will spend the $200 for flushinf system every 30 thousand miles from now on. Oh truck had 62 thousand miles.
 
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Old Jan 24, 2013 | 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by rob17
My XLT had the same message at around 15K

Rob
Do you have the optional LCD screen in your XLT?
If so, that explains it.
The basic screen does not alert for coolant or fuel filters but does have the IOLM system.
 
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