Changing Coolant
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Senior User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 256
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From: St.Augustine Beach,Florida
Changing Coolant
Hey i got a 1999 psd and im about to change the coolant in it. How do i go about doing it? Do i need to remove the thermostat to get it all out or is there some other way i can get it out? Any tips? thanks
New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8
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Changing Coolant
You can get about 5-6 gallons out buy draining it out the pet-****, another 1-1/2 if you drain the block via the two drain plugs(if you know where they are). If you just drain it thru the pet-**** and add 4-5 gallons of distilled water and run it alittle bit, 5 miles or so(to mix it up) then drain it again. Add 4 gallons of anti-freeze(I used Zerex in the white bottle),2-4 pints of DCA4 and then top it off with distilled water you'll be fine. Make sure you use a low silicate anti freeze. RICH
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: East Hampton, NY
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 84
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From: Belton, MO
Changing Coolant
Man! All of this coolant, additive, cavitation, etc. information is throwing me for a loop. For a rookie with an average salary, am I better off taking it to the dealer to have the coolant changed? I just bought a 99 (built 11/98) PSD F250 with 38k and I know it has never had a coolant change. I also don't know if it has ever had any additive added. I figure I better get this done soon whether by me or by the dealer. These forums are great, but sometimes you get overwhelmed with too much information and everybody having a different opinion on how to do something. Does anybody have a real good source for documentation including step by step instructions on doing routine maintenance on your vehicle. Is the owners manual good enough? Any other 3rd party documentation?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 13,653
Likes: 6
From: Cabot, Arkansas
Changing Coolant
In my experiance you are almost never better off taking it to the dealer.
Do some reasearch on Evans NPG+. The initial cost is high, but you only have to do it once (it lasts 500,000 miles), also it requires no water or SCA's.
Do some reasearch on Evans NPG+. The initial cost is high, but you only have to do it once (it lasts 500,000 miles), also it requires no water or SCA's.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 194
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From: East Hampton, NY
Changing Coolant
Ditto what Cookie said. I actually just got done changing out the coolant. Not a difficult job. Drained out the petcock, refilled with water, took a drive, drained out petcock, refilled with water, took a drive, drained out petcock, refilled with 3gal. antifreeze, 2 gal distilled water. Just got to figure out where to get rid of the 5 or so gallons of drained coolant, and another 10 gallons of mostly water w/some coolant. Adding/checking the additive is also not a big deal. Actually, I got the Fleetrite coolant that comes precharged with SCA ($12/bottle at NAPA). The only thing that freaked me is the fleetrite stuff is pink. I thought I got the extended life stuff, but after re-reading the bottle, I didn't. Have yet to test the SCA level to see if it needs any adjusting. So far, its cost me $48 to do the work. How much does the dealer charge to change the coolant? They want $100 for an oil change. Screw em, DIY.
Fear not!
-Shawn
Fear not!
-Shawn
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 84
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From: Belton, MO
Changing Coolant
I just tried to call a NAPA store and I think they found this coolant, but they said they don't have it yet in Kansas or Missouri. I would like to do this myself. Should I try to buy the coolant from the dealer, an International dealer or other. Do any of the Parts America, Autozone, etc. type stores ever carry the correct type of coolant? I don't know if I can trust they know what they are talking about.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 3,628
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From: Baileyton, TN
Changing Coolant
I get my coolant and additive from the International dealer, and I know that is way cheaper than the Ford dealers round here..
Theo
Theo
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New User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 18
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From: Plant City, Florida
Changing Coolant
I purchased fleet-rite extended coolant from international dealer, not suppose to have to add the additive, I have a 2000 F250, but I read an article wear you should not ues extended unless its a 2002 or newer. Any thoughts on that.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 1,345
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From: NorCal
Changing Coolant
My 2002 came with Motorcraft Gold coolant. It's yellow and already has the additive in it, and it cannot be mixed with the green stuff... so I'm stuck buying it from them!
Duffster.. block drains?? You mean the freeze plugs?
Duffster.. block drains?? You mean the freeze plugs?
New User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 8
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Changing Coolant
cgl, This diesel engine block has drain plugs, two for the antifreeze and I think two for oil. If I had a picture It would point them out, you use a 1/4" square head socket wrench to get them out. RICH
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 70
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Changing Coolant
changing the coolant is so easy, just buy the 50/50 premix from walmart, and get the conditioner from dealership for 5 dollars a bottle. Drain and refill and you are good bud. the antifreeze is right at 3-3.5 gallons