Ford Gold coolant question
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: 'Pitlock, Maine
Ford Gold coolant question
How do I tell if my Ford Gold coolant is good or bad? I installed my new sinister diesel coolant filter today and when doing so I drained three gallons of the Gold out and it looks fine, clear as a coolant should be and Zero floaters that I could see with the naked eye. I did get about a tenth of a teaspoon of what looked like casting sand from the bottom of the radiator when I first opened the petcock but other than that it was crystal clear other than the pi$$ yellow tint. And while I'm at it I'll ask this: If I DO decide to replace the coolant with the same type ie: Ford Gold do I need to do any kind of a flush? My deltas are OK about 7 to 10 degrees and I am not experiencing any coolant loses or 'burping from the degass bottle. The new water filter is just an added precaution that happens to be functional AND cool looking to boot. Thanks for any input 
Mcrafty1 P.S. I just bought the truck a couple of months ago and it's an 07 so I don't know how long the coolant has been in the motor, but again it LOOKS fine.
Mcrafty1 P.S. I just bought the truck a couple of months ago and it's an 07 so I don't know how long the coolant has been in the motor, but again it LOOKS fine.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
There are test strips and even a hydrometer type testers cheaply available at the parts store that can tell you about freeze/boil protection. I haven't used them for many years tho. I usually use fresh coolant unless I know it hasn't been in there for very long. If that's ok try to get a wiff of it, it you smell the slightest hint of skunk replace it. Some how as it degrades it begins to react with the rubber in the hoses and the smell is a lot like a skunk.
So no floating trash, no trash in the bottom of the bucket, it's not cloudy, color is good, freeze protection tests ok, and it don't stink, pour it back in.
No real need to flush if you stay with the same type coolant and your just doing repairs.
So no floating trash, no trash in the bottom of the bucket, it's not cloudy, color is good, freeze protection tests ok, and it don't stink, pour it back in.
No real need to flush if you stay with the same type coolant and your just doing repairs.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: 'Pitlock, Maine
Thanks Rusty, I'll check the odor of it and go from there. I checked the freeze level with my floating ball tester and I'm good there but I don't have a way on hand to check the boiling protection so I'll be making a trip to town and try and find some test strips.
Hotshot
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 19,060
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From: Saratoga Springs,UT
I never liked the Ball Tester
I used this it has BoilOver and Freeze Info
IDK how to test the Coolant to see if it needs an Additive Maybe those test strips rusty is talking about
When I went with ELC it said to use a Additive after 300,000miles LOL
I think the Gold is just Changed @ 50K Intervals IDK if it has an Additive @ Ford for it or not
I used this it has BoilOver and Freeze Info
IDK how to test the Coolant to see if it needs an Additive Maybe those test strips rusty is talking about
When I went with ELC it said to use a Additive after 300,000miles LOL
I think the Gold is just Changed @ 50K Intervals IDK if it has an Additive @ Ford for it or not
Thread Starter
|
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 65
From: 'Pitlock, Maine
I never liked the Ball Tester
I used this it has BoilOver and Freeze Info
IDK how to test the Coolant to see if it needs an Additive Maybe those test strips rusty is talking about
When I went with ELC it said to use a Additive after 300,000miles LOL
I think the Gold is just Changed @ 50K Intervals IDK if it has an Additive @ Ford for it or not
I used this it has BoilOver and Freeze Info
IDK how to test the Coolant to see if it needs an Additive Maybe those test strips rusty is talking about
When I went with ELC it said to use a Additive after 300,000miles LOL
I think the Gold is just Changed @ 50K Intervals IDK if it has an Additive @ Ford for it or not
Lead Driver
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Posts: 7,830
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From: Manteca,Ca
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Keep the Nitrites bewteen 800 ppm and 4000 ppm or damage may/will occur. Replace fluid if Nitrites ever drop below 300 ppm. Ford part number for test kit: 328-00001 or call Rotunda - Rotunda 3-way heavy-duty antifreeze test strip kit (1-800-Rotunda (768-8632) Option 2).
NEVER excede 60%. NEVER drop below 40%.
NEVER excede 60%. NEVER drop below 40%.
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Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,330
Likes: 65
From: 'Pitlock, Maine
Keep the Nitrites bewteen 800 ppm and 4000 ppm or damage may/will occur. Replace fluid if Nitrites ever drop below 300 ppm. Ford part number for test kit: 328-00001 or call Rotunda - Rotunda 3-way heavy-duty antifreeze test strip kit (1-800-Rotunda (768-8632) Option 2).
NEVER excede 60%. NEVER drop below 40%.
NEVER excede 60%. NEVER drop below 40%.
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 1,330
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From: 'Pitlock, Maine
. Thanks.
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