Coolant test cost
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Went to Ken Garff Ford in American Fork, Utah today to get my coolant checked. They said it was free but when I got down there he said I'm only checking the fluid level, these new trucks don't need additive. I told him that was not true and he argued with me so I told him to get the service manager. The manager tells me it's not necessary and that I shouldn't worry about what Ford said is required. Wow!
After I politely let him know what I thought of his incompetence he told me he would order the kit and have a tech come to my home.
After I politely let him know what I thought of his incompetence he told me he would order the kit and have a tech come to my home.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 151
Likes: 0
WOW after something like that I don't think I would trust, or use that dealer ever again!!! I know many people don't have a choice on where to take their truck, but if there were several options within a reasonable distance, I would go to a different place. If they didn't know something as basic as testing the coolant....geez I still can't believe that. 
Lead Driver
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,247
Likes: 4,267
From: Kaysville Utah
It is similar to Dexcool. But not the same.
Ford moves to single engine coolant for worldwide use
I'm sure most dealers service departments do a good job. Just read up and be aware of is going on with your coolant and have some idea of when somebody is making up a story instead of telling the truth.
The directions for testing your coolant are easy to find. It's in the tech folder on many websites like this as well as online at the company where you get the test kits from. Read the instructions so you know what your tech is supposed to be doing. A couple of question and you will know if the tech knows what he is doing. Or you can tell him to go read his manual.
Ford moves to single engine coolant for worldwide use
I'm sure most dealers service departments do a good job. Just read up and be aware of is going on with your coolant and have some idea of when somebody is making up a story instead of telling the truth.
The directions for testing your coolant are easy to find. It's in the tech folder on many websites like this as well as online at the company where you get the test kits from. Read the instructions so you know what your tech is supposed to be doing. A couple of question and you will know if the tech knows what he is doing. Or you can tell him to go read his manual.
New User
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Coolant test
My truck is out of bumper to bumper warranty and every time the reminder comes on the service manager just comes out and tests it for free. Probaly depends on the volume of business you do with the dealer though.
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 6,676
Likes: 913
From: Milford, MI
Well some good news to report. Picked up my truck yesterday and was told no charge. Apparently I was only on the hook if the coolant needed the additive. They didn't save the test strips (I didn't ask for them be saved either) but did describe the test vile style of test. They have not heard of any change to the testing procedures. But honestly I think we would hear about it here first.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Went to Ken Garff Ford in American Fork, Utah today to get my coolant checked. They said it was free but when I got down there he said I'm only checking the fluid level, these new trucks don't need additive. I told him that was not true and he argued with me so I told him to get the service manager. The manager tells me it's not necessary and that I shouldn't worry about what Ford said is required. Wow!
After I politely let him know what I thought of his incompetence he told me he would order the kit and have a tech come to my home.
After I politely let him know what I thought of his incompetence he told me he would order the kit and have a tech come to my home.
Just an update: Ken Garff Ford sent a tech to my home today and all he did was check the one bottle on the drivers side with something called 3in1 which checked for nitrates and moly-something or other and freeze protection.
I asked him to check at the petcock he said he couldn't.
I asked him to check the second radiator and he couldn't get to the liquid.
I asked him if he had brought additive with him and he said he had VC8.
I told him I was disappointed and he said he would have a mechanic call me.
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 151
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damn, I think at this point I would bypass that dealer/service center and get in contact with Ford to make a complaint about their incompetence at that place. Would it do any good? Who knows. Maybe if and when they make another attempt, make them bring the manual with the exact instructions on how to do the test, follow it line by line, and video tape them doing it. Something this basic shouldn't be an issue like this.
New User
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
From: Houston, Tx.
damn, I think at this point I would bypass that dealer/service center and get in contact with Ford to make a complaint about their incompetence at that place. Would it do any good? Who knows. Maybe if and when they make another attempt, make them bring the manual with the exact instructions on how to do the test, follow it line by line, and video tape them doing it. Something this basic shouldn't be an issue like this.
Hoot
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Hillsboro, Oregon
Wow is right. You should write a letter to Ford corporate describing the gross incompetence. I get surveys from them as well as my dealer and not that anything may ever come out of it but I feel it gives me some satisfaction whether positive or negative. I do this test myself as my dealership did not give me a warm fuzzy either.
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 199
Likes: 0
Yea, I agree. I'm going to stay on them to follow through, not only for me, but I think it's important for all the other people who bought from them. They are a big dealership who sells a big percentage of trucks.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,424
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From: AZ
I just got the 2 test kits a couple weeks ago and tested my coolant last weekend. The instructions seemed clear and as far as i can tell everything looked normal and I'm just shy of 30k.
I did have one issue and that is when using the strips I felt like it was for a different color chart than the instructions mentioned. I don't remember exactly what I was testing but I remember it should have been a light tan but it was purple. It was as if my strips were reversed. Not sure if anyone has messed with it to shed some light.
I did have one issue and that is when using the strips I felt like it was for a different color chart than the instructions mentioned. I don't remember exactly what I was testing but I remember it should have been a light tan but it was purple. It was as if my strips were reversed. Not sure if anyone has messed with it to shed some light.
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