I purchased a nice 97 F350 Dually with 7.3 and only 90,000 miles about 4 months ago. I talked with prior owner and read the maintenance schedule and proceeded to changed oil/filter and fuel filter, coolant was flushed and refilled with a long life green name brand coolant recommended for diesel engines that I had to mix 50/50 with distilled water and I sent it to local Ford dealer to have trans fluid and filter changed also. The thing I'm not sure about is the FW15 additive I am supposed to add every 15,000 miles. I went to the parts store and purchased the test strips for checking the coolant strength. Problem is, I cannot find anywhere in owners manual what the strength number is supposed to be. Mine checks at number 8, the scale only goes to 10, so I would think I'm ok. Does anybody know what the strength should be. By the way, I pull a 10,000 lb 5th wheel camper and I installed a DP Tuner chip and it is great. Made a different truck out of it. Can't believe the additional power and driveability it gave the truck.

 

I just inquired about this a couple of weeks ago, as I was also curious, being a new Diesel owner. From how I understand it, the nitrate level is what we are concerned about here. On the test strips I got from napa 800 was a low charge with 1200 (ppm maybe? idk depends on what strips are being used) being optimal (I was somewhere in between) and 4000 being over.

So I guess it would depend on what kind of strips you got. The kit I got gave me instructions and all on what should have been where.

I also found out that they actually dont make the FW15 anymore, its been replaced by the VC8. I was actually going to go up the the local steelership and get a bottle or two to have on hand.

So as to your original question, I'm not entirely sure, someone else will chime in I'm sure, but I just thought I'd share what I learned along the way.

 

Here is the thread I found that was very helpful and informative.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/96...formation.html

 

I bought my test strips at local parts store. The name is CoolTrak. They test the freezing point/boil point and the coolant PH level. The test scale runs from 6.0 to 11.0. When I test my truck it registers an 8. The coolant I used is called Fleet Charge and it is used for heavy duty diesel cooling systems. It says on the container that it is SCA precharged and that no initial SCA precharge is needed. It goes on to say that it needs to be periodically checked and SCA added as needed. But nowhere can I find and information as to what the level should be or how much is needed.

 

You need a strip that tests for nitrates. But if you put in SCA charged coolant then you should already be set. Then you can follow the once every 15-20K throw a bottle in.

I think what I heard (someone can correct me if I'm wrong) that its 8oz to 2 gallons. So with an 8gal system you would need 32oz of additive. I think. I'm trying to remember where I heard that, if I find it I will post it.

But like I said if you put in coolant that already had SCA's in it, you are set to go.

 

I believe I saw the 4oz to a gallon in the owner's guide supplement. Since I did use the SCA precharged coolant, I'm not going to worry about it. Thanks for your reply's.

 

It's my understanding it is cavitation we are battling by putting in the sca's. Lots of good reading on the web there. But you should check periodically or add a coolant filter with the sca's charged in it. Lots of threads on that here too. Easy mod if you tap into the heater line.

 

yep, that's right.

and to the OP, yes, you want to be checking the nitrate levels in our coolant. i mail order my test strips in packs of 3 from here: Acustrip Coolant Test Strips. they're cheap and come in the mail in a few days. if you call them up and tell them what you need, they can direct you to the right product. i don't know of any parts stores that carry diesel (SCA) test strips. however, you should be sure of what coolant you put into the truck first.

color of coolant means almost nothing these days, but there is some fancy new stuff for diesels out called ELC's (extended life coolants) that should NOT be used in our trucks as apparently it eats at the seals and o-rings and things in our 'old' engines. if you put in pre-charged SCA conventional coolant, you should be fine for a while and your test strips will tell you the same.

if you just put in regular ethylene glycol coolant, you'll have to add some SCAs (VC8 is the new Ford name for it). which, by the way, my Ford dealer doesnt even carry any more. i've found it cheapest on Amazon, though there's only one vendor who sells it.

 

I found some test strips at napa, tested Ph, Freeze point, and nitrate. It seemed to work quite well. Came in a nice little package, complete with test strips, dropper, and sample container (for dipping the test strip in) I was very pleased. Although I see that they are only good for about a year, and there is no way I will use all 50 of them. But for the money I thought it was worth it.

 

That is a very good link. Read it over carefully and take notes!

As far as the coolant additive some call it Supplement Coolant Additive (SCA) or Diesel Coolant Additive (DCA) you will see it both ways I'm sure, but I believe SCA is what they are called and DCA is the types.
For example a quote from the link above:
"*Tip* Either a Nitrite only DCA-2 SCA or a Molybdate/Nitrite DCA-4 SCA will work. Up to 20 gallons of distilled water "

Depending on the brand of coolant you use will determine what type of additive you have: DCA-2 or DCA-4.
That will determine what test strip kit you need to purchase to read properly (perhaps the strips are interchangeable, but you have to know how to read it differently for the other additive type. I believe it all comes down to reading Nitrite and stuff levels.)

The Fleet Charge is great stuff that a lot of the big rigs use. It is pink (not that color matters), it comes pre charged, and full strength (I am sure it comes 50/50 but you dont want that).
Somewhere I found the Fleet Charge MSDS sheets and it lists it has DCA-4.
DCA-4 requires the Fleetguard test kit PN CC2602A.

Most other brands (from what I've read) come with the DCA-2.
DCA-2 requires FIL 4107 kit from NAPA.

I just flushed thoroughly and filled with Fleet Charge and distilled water. I then installed the Diesel Site coolant filtration kit. It is a cheap and easy modification that can greatly prolong your engine.
http://www.dieselsite.com/1994-19977...ionsystem.aspx

Also, not to say you are wrong Dan, but I recall reading that most recommend NOT running a pre-charged filter. They say using non-charged filters and testing/adding additive as necessary is the best route.
I believe its due to not all the coolant circulating through the filter or something. Not to mention if people have a pre-charged filter I bet they will forget to check it for a long while after. Not sure on the reason, but that is what is in my brain.

Sorry for long post. I was just worried when I read this horror story thread and wanted to at least know enough to keep it from happening to mine.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ng-system.html
Would hate to have that happen to anyone.

 

I am just as confussed as ever. Nobody has said yet what numbers we should be looking for on the test strips, and was my main question from the beginning. I did flush and refill with Fleet Charge about 2 months ago and I think I will start doing this once a year and not worry about little holes forming in my cyl walls or water pump. I bought the Fleet Charge at NAPA and I believe total cost was around 60.00. That is not bad for piece of mind,besides, I kinda enjoy doing it.

 

if you get the right test strips (a suggested above), it'll have instructions on how to test and what the levels should be.

the strips you have described are just general coolant strips not diesel/SCA specific. you need strips that test for 'Nitrate Levels' not just freeze point etc. once you get the right strips, just follow the instructions.

however, since you used Fleet Charge, you should be good for about 10-15k miles before adding SCA's so i'm sure you're still fine now.

and there's not need to flush/refill every year - that's the point of the SCA additive. keep the levels up and just replaced the coolant at the recommended intervals.

 

That looks like a great idea Alex! Thats going on my list of things to do for sure

 

x2 the instructions on the kits i listed will explain what is good and what is bad.
Perhaps someone who has access to one can read it off for you.

Heck yeah man! Its like the price of an oil change (if you use the really good oil) so i mean why not?! And after the first 2 or 3 coolant filter changes you dont have to change it all that often.
I think all big rigs come with them from the factory... it was a cost savings thing im sure why they didnt put them on these 'light duty' trucks.

 

Good info Alex. I tried to rep you but couldnt. I had some questions about the fleet charge and you covered them all plus some.