Time for VC-9?
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2012
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From: Magnolia, TX
Time for VC-9?
Just bought an 04 Excursion with 151k miles. When I test drove a week ago, delta was about 8-10 degrees (EOT was 188, ECT 196-198) during a 20 minute drive on the highway. Ambient temp was about 60. Today when I drove it (it's the wife's car) I noticed average delta of about 14 with high of 17 degrees. Today was about 68-70 degrees. Is it time for VC-9? I have a coolant filter ordered and should arrive tomorrow. Should I flush with water only, refill coolant, then install filter and see what happens? Is that the proper order of things?
Or, should I go ahead and get the VC-9? I'm just worried that breaking loose all that crud could cause a more clogged oil cooler. I don't have an extra $2k to get it replaced at the moment.
Or, should I go ahead and get the VC-9? I'm just worried that breaking loose all that crud could cause a more clogged oil cooler. I don't have an extra $2k to get it replaced at the moment.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,138
Likes: 7
From: South Weber, Utah
What was the ECT/EOT when you saw the 14-17* difference? And what were the conditions when you took the temps? A pretty much universally accepted test is make sure the ECT is up to temp ( 190* +/- a few degrees ) and drive it on a flat road @ 65 MPH for 30 or so minutes then check the spread.
Cargo Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,833
Likes: 4
From: Jefferson, Iowa
It's worth a shot. I just installed a new OEM oil cooler and have 8-11 delta. I flushed about 10 months ago when I did my 1st oil cooler (dorman long story). I am going to flush and add a coolant filter.
Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
I drove my truck with numbers like that for more than four months, even towed a couple of times, nerviously watching the numbers creeping up. When the spread got to be 18-19 unloaded I did a VC9 flush and the temps went down some but a week later it was steaming out the tailpipe shortly after cold starts. EGR cooler had coolant in it when I pulled it off.
I guess every situation is a little different but I'd say the best plan is to replace the oil and EGR cooler now.
Second best is a chemical flush ASAP- drop the coolant, pull the block plugs, flush the radiator and heater core with a hose without even starting the truck. Hook all the hoses back up and leave the block plugs out, stick the running hose in the degas bottle and when the system fills, crank it up and rev it up a few times. Then follow your favorite flushing procedure. Idea being to hopefully rinse most of the loose stuff out before even putting the chemicals in.
Last choice is to keep driving it with your fingers crossed. (Didn't work out too well for me)
I guess every situation is a little different but I'd say the best plan is to replace the oil and EGR cooler now.
Second best is a chemical flush ASAP- drop the coolant, pull the block plugs, flush the radiator and heater core with a hose without even starting the truck. Hook all the hoses back up and leave the block plugs out, stick the running hose in the degas bottle and when the system fills, crank it up and rev it up a few times. Then follow your favorite flushing procedure. Idea being to hopefully rinse most of the loose stuff out before even putting the chemicals in.
Last choice is to keep driving it with your fingers crossed. (Didn't work out too well for me)
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 646
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From: Magnolia, TX
I drove my truck with numbers like that for more than four months, even towed a couple of times, nerviously watching the numbers creeping up. When the spread got to be 18-19 unloaded I did a VC9 flush and the temps went down some but a week later it was steaming out the tailpipe shortly after cold starts. EGR cooler had coolant in it when I pulled it off.
I guess every situation is a little different but I'd say the best plan is to replace the oil and EGR cooler now.
Second best is a chemical flush ASAP- drop the coolant, pull the block plugs, flush the radiator and heater core with a hose without even starting the truck. Hook all the hoses back up and leave the block plugs out, stick the running hose in the degas bottle and when the system fills, crank it up and rev it up a few times. Then follow your favorite flushing procedure. Idea being to hopefully rinse most of the loose stuff out before even putting the chemicals in.
Last choice is to keep driving it with your fingers crossed. (Didn't work out too well for me)
I guess every situation is a little different but I'd say the best plan is to replace the oil and EGR cooler now.
Second best is a chemical flush ASAP- drop the coolant, pull the block plugs, flush the radiator and heater core with a hose without even starting the truck. Hook all the hoses back up and leave the block plugs out, stick the running hose in the degas bottle and when the system fills, crank it up and rev it up a few times. Then follow your favorite flushing procedure. Idea being to hopefully rinse most of the loose stuff out before even putting the chemicals in.
Last choice is to keep driving it with your fingers crossed. (Didn't work out too well for me)
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Lead Driver
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,241
Likes: 155
From: L.A. (Lower Alabama)
Your numbers aren't really terrible yet so I think you might have some luck back flushing the oil cooler. It adds a lot of work the the job but every bit of junk you can get out is a good thing. If you have valves on the filter lines just turn them off while the chemicals are in the system, I don't think the chemicals will affect the filter element but I guess it's possible. Mostly you don't want to leave any cleaner in the filter after the rinse.
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Strokin Okie
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Oklahoma
Second best is a chemical flush ASAP- drop the coolant, pull the block plugs, flush the radiator and heater core with a hose without even starting the truck. Hook all the hoses back up and leave the block plugs out, stick the running hose in the degas bottle and when the system fills, crank it up and rev it up a few times. Then follow your favorite flushing procedure. Idea being to hopefully rinse most of the loose stuff out before even putting the chemicals in.
Freshman User
Joined: Sep 2013
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When you back flush at the oil cooler location, does a standard garden hose female end or male thread fit perfectly into that opening? The process of back flushing at the oil cooler doesn't indicate if the incoming hose has to be held in place or if it threads in at that location?
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Elder User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 646
Likes: 0
From: Magnolia, TX
When you back flush at the oil cooler location, does a standard garden hose female end or male thread fit perfectly into that opening? The process of back flushing at the oil cooler doesn't indicate if the incoming hose has to be held in place or if it threads in at that location?
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