Took my truck in for a few warranty quibbles today and told them to test the coolant. Was told ninety dollars to do so. Curious what others have been getting charged. Thanks for input guys!

 

go buy the test strips about $10.00 and do it yourself. if it needs the fuild to restablize it that is about twenty dollars.

 

You found a place to buy the test kit for $10? Share!

You can use the basic test strips to do the first couple of steps of the coolant test. But you usually need the full kit to do the complete test and know if you need to add the Coolant Rejuvinator. ( the part where you drop the tablet in the coolant sample and depending on what color it turns you choose which test strip to use for the final test)

To OP, My dealer charged me $25.00

Just ask what test they perform. The test are completely different than what used to be performed on the previous powerstroke engines.

If your coolant fails the test and needs the revitalizer, You can add the VC-12 coolant revitalizer, But the recommended dosage would take at least two quarts and they run about $12-$15 a quart.

 

Tablet in the coolant sample? My second test is a sealed test tube like container with a droplet of something it it, that you add a measured amount of coolant into. Then test with a different type strip.

Yours sounds like a different type of test than I have.

 

Must be different than mine too. Plus, that kit cost $50! I just used it for the first time last week.

When it comes to this (and many other things), I don't and won't trust the dealer.

Hoot

 

I didn't trust my dealer so I bought the Rotunda kits for $76 and did the tests myself. Tests turned out perfect. Very easy to do and the kits will last a lifetime.

328-00008 superseded by 328-R071-ELC
ANTIFREEZE COOLANT ELC CONTAMINATION KIT
https://rotunda.spx.com/en-US/Pages/...x?itemID=30172

328-00001 (3 Way HD Antifreeze Coolant Test Kit - 1 Bottle and 1 Kit)
has been superseded by 328-2050-62291
https://rotunda.spx.com/en-US/Pages/...x?itemID=30166

 

I was going to do this also, but if I remember correctly, the kits have some kind of expiration date on them. I can't remember where I read this exactly. It was about 2 years ago when I first got the truck.

 

On this post one of the the people states there is a two year self life on the strips.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...dditive-4.html

 

These are the kits that I have too. Yea, the kits do expire, but does that mean they go immediately bad? I'll continue to use them.

 

Ugh, looks like you're right about expiration. Damn, well maybe I'll do the check twice and every 5000 miles just to feel I'm getting my money's worth :-).

 

The kits have enough strips to do 10 test. Since you have two radiators, That means you get to test your system 5 times before you would run out of test strips. I drive enough that I'll do 5 test before the expiration date.

 

My dealer did the test for free.

 

Thanks for all the input guys. Technically this is the dealer I bought from but the owner sold out and retired after a stroke shortly after I bought last spring. I will check with another dealer I know guys at and see what I can get done. But if I can't do better I think I will buy the kits next time. At this price I will still come out ahead even if I throw some away.

 

The next time my light comes on I will probably buy the kits to test it myself. I don't drive the truck that much. I should get min 2-3 tests out of the shelf life. i also have to take into account my time that is required to take the truck in, the cost of the test itself, and the mark up that the dealer has on the revitalizer, if needed. I would like to think I would at leaste break even and save some time.

 

My dealer checked mine for free also. And I trust my dealer. If I didn't trust my dealer I would not have bought my truck there.