Just purchased a Fleetguard coolant test kit to check condition of gold coolant in my 2003 Excursion. According to the instructions, I should not collect coolant from the recovery bottle. Why is this and if I do not test coolant from the bottle where do I get coolant from the system as there does not appear to be a cap on the radiator.


tx,


Bobcat

 

Someone can check my work here, but:

I believe the radiators don't have a cap and that this is true across all the Ford rigs, at least our years. The only cap is the cap on the reservoir. You can take the test from the drain petcock on the bottom of the radiator on the driver side or else I believe the only option you have is dipping into the reservoir.

I would imagine taking the sample directly from the radiator gives the best true mixture reading, whereas maybe the top of the reservoir can give a false reading if water or coolant has become concentrated at the top near the cap and isn't in full circulation. I'm just guessing here.

 

Draincock on the bottom of the radiator, should be on the driver's side IIRC. Just open it a touch to collect how much you need, then tighten it up.

 

Thanks for the responses and pic! Very helpful.