HD ELC??
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2010
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From: Washington
HD ELC??
So a while back I had a thread about my water pump leak and talked about using HD ELC in the truck. This last weekend I changed out the pump, t-stat, t-stat housing, and serpentine belt. While I was there I flushed the system out so I could replace the coolant with ELC and distilled water...
Now heres the problem I could not find HD ELC to save my life!!
I looked absolutely everywhere in my local area to find it, all the parts stores, walmart, even the Ford dealer. Not only could I not find any but no one even knew what the hell I was talking about. The service guy at the dealership had no clue and stressed to me that they (Ford) do not and never did use ELC coolant and recommended me not to as well, he said just use standard green!!
Now I'm far from an expert on this but I know I've read enough write ups on here to know that I want HD ELC in my truck.....that being said I could not find any and I had to get the truck on the road so I used the gold coolant for the time being hoping its at least better than the green??
Whats your guy's thoughts on this?? Will the truck be ok with gold?? Do I need to add SCA?? Am I right in thinking the Ford guy is an idiot?? Where the hell can I get HD ELC?!?!?
Now heres the problem I could not find HD ELC to save my life!!
I looked absolutely everywhere in my local area to find it, all the parts stores, walmart, even the Ford dealer. Not only could I not find any but no one even knew what the hell I was talking about. The service guy at the dealership had no clue and stressed to me that they (Ford) do not and never did use ELC coolant and recommended me not to as well, he said just use standard green!! Now I'm far from an expert on this but I know I've read enough write ups on here to know that I want HD ELC in my truck.....that being said I could not find any and I had to get the truck on the road so I used the gold coolant for the time being hoping its at least better than the green??Whats your guy's thoughts on this?? Will the truck be ok with gold?? Do I need to add SCA?? Am I right in thinking the Ford guy is an idiot?? Where the hell can I get HD ELC?!?!?
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Texas
The 03 came with Gold from the factory. Gold says you don't need to add SCA, but checking it may be a good idea from what folks who know more than me about coolant have said.
ELC is big in the OTR industry, so find a place that sells big truck parts. I've gotten it from NAPA. They didn't have it on the floor, but were able to get it in the store the next day. Expect to educate most of the counter guys at any parts store. Ask if they have a catalog showing the different coolants they can order and see if you can find it for them. Don't waste your time at places like autozoo. Find a place that can also sell big truck parts.
ELC is big in the OTR industry, so find a place that sells big truck parts. I've gotten it from NAPA. They didn't have it on the floor, but were able to get it in the store the next day. Expect to educate most of the counter guys at any parts store. Ask if they have a catalog showing the different coolants they can order and see if you can find it for them. Don't waste your time at places like autozoo. Find a place that can also sell big truck parts.
Got Data?
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 4,262
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From: Lake Stevens, WA
I thought the '02 came with gold. You should be good with that. I'm hesitant to use ELC since I dont drive more than 15K a year, and prefer to maintain the coolant and watch for problems (diesel or oil in coolant is not a rare thing in these older trucks, pointing to injector cup and oil cooler maintenance). If you drive alot of miles like an OTR truck, ELC makes sense. Just my opinion.
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From: Washington
How do you check/test for SCA's?? I only drive my truck about 10k a year, I don't remember reading anything about it being a high mileage thing with the ELC. I did see on the jug it said for 03' and up ford diesel so I felt ok about the gold but wasn't 100%......the coolant that was in the truck was nasty almost like it had both gold and green in it!! 
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From: Washington
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2004
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From: Central Coast of CA
With test strips. You can get 'em at any Ford dealership or NAPA auto parts.
It's not. He was just explaining his opinion to you.
Ford started putting in the "gold" coolant (which is a hybrid OAT coolant) during the 2002 model year run.
Here's all the info you could want regarding a heavy duty OAT ELC.
Gooch's Coolant Flush Procedure and In-Depth Coolant Information
Stewart
I only drive my truck about 10k a year, I don't remember reading anything about it being a high mileage thing with the ELC.
I did see on the jug it said for 03' and up ford diesel so I felt ok about the gold but wasn't 100%
Here's all the info you could want regarding a heavy duty OAT ELC.
Gooch's Coolant Flush Procedure and In-Depth Coolant Information
Stewart
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Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: Walpole, MA
Like others have mentioned elcs are designed for the otr and heavy equipment crowd. Any heavy equipment or truck shope will have it. Do you have fleet prides in your area? They will have it as well. Most napas can get zerex (valvoline) elc. It's out there I promise!
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