Check Coolant Additive Question
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,051
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From: TEXAS
Check Coolant Additive Question
OK, just about to turn over 17,000 miles on my 6.7 and got the message to "Check Coolant Additive". So I came here and did a search, read a bunch of post, gained a little information, but not enough. You know how it goes with the subject gets off track and never comes back to course many times.
So my question is, do I purchase the kits, from what I read it would appear that there are two different test kits required.
Or do I just take it to the dealership and have the test performed?
Also from what I have read it would appear that this is a timed message response and not an actual computer generated test...correct?
Thanks in advance for your assistance, direction and knowledge.
So my question is, do I purchase the kits, from what I read it would appear that there are two different test kits required.
Or do I just take it to the dealership and have the test performed?
Also from what I have read it would appear that this is a timed message response and not an actual computer generated test...correct?
Thanks in advance for your assistance, direction and knowledge.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
Likes: 1,863
From: Frederick, MD
it is timed, mine came on at 13K, I cleared it and kept driving. Figure I will actually check it next time.
As to the test kits my understanding is each kit contains two of the testing kits in it.
I have not purchased it yet myself.
As to the test kits my understanding is each kit contains two of the testing kits in it.
I have not purchased it yet myself.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 879
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From: at the truck pulls
Mine came on the first time and I just reset it, I bought the truck brand new so I thought it better be good. Then the next time it came on I ordered the kits mentioned above. It may be listed in the tech folders, or someone will post it soon, of where to buy the kit(s).
I checked and it was still perfect. It came on again and I just reset it without checking, I'll do the real test again next time. Maybe too risky for some but I don't see it being an issue until many more miles.
I checked and it was still perfect. It came on again and I just reset it without checking, I'll do the real test again next time. Maybe too risky for some but I don't see it being an issue until many more miles.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2013
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You can buy the kits - some dealers will test for free. Because the know someone will need the additive or a flush. They can buy a big kit that overall costs a lot less per test than you can. They expire so you'll probably never use them up before they expire.
There is a test strip and then depending on how the strip comes out you have "vials" to add coolant to, to test.
There is a test strip and then depending on how the strip comes out you have "vials" to add coolant to, to test.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
Likes: 1,863
From: Frederick, MD
Thread Starter
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Cargo Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,051
Likes: 10
From: TEXAS
Thanks all, I appreciate that information. I also appreciate the link to the kit, pricey little thing isn't it. But, I'll go ahead and pay the price for admission and pick one up. I prefer to do the basics myself rather than deal with a commissioned service tech at times.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
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I was good at having my coolant checked every 15,000 but not lately (my computer does not alert). It's probably been 20k-25k.
It's such a pain to drive 30 minutes one way to the dealership, leave it for the day, have someone get me and drive 20 min to the office and repeat all of that in the evening, assuming I can get there before they close. All for a coolant check.
My coolant level is slightly lower than what I remember so I should go have it looked at.
Last oil test was great and I don't have a leak that I know of so I'm probably not remembering correctly.
Duramax owners look at me like I'm crazy. I'm guessing they don't have to check coolant?
BTW, this question isn't meant to start a war. I'm genuinely curious.
It's such a pain to drive 30 minutes one way to the dealership, leave it for the day, have someone get me and drive 20 min to the office and repeat all of that in the evening, assuming I can get there before they close. All for a coolant check.
My coolant level is slightly lower than what I remember so I should go have it looked at.
Last oil test was great and I don't have a leak that I know of so I'm probably not remembering correctly.
Duramax owners look at me like I'm crazy. I'm guessing they don't have to check coolant?
BTW, this question isn't meant to start a war. I'm genuinely curious.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,762
Likes: 115
I was good at having my coolant checked every 15,000 but not lately (my computer does not alert). It's probably been 20k-25k.
It's such a pain to drive 30 minutes one way to the dealership, leave it for the day, have someone get me and drive 20 min to the office and repeat all of that in the evening, assuming I can get there before they close. All for a coolant check.
My coolant level is slightly lower than what I remember so I should go have it looked at.
Last oil test was great and I don't have a leak that I know of so I'm probably not remembering correctly.
Duramax owners look at me like I'm crazy. I'm guessing they don't have to check coolant?
BTW, this question isn't meant to start a war. I'm genuinely curious.
It's such a pain to drive 30 minutes one way to the dealership, leave it for the day, have someone get me and drive 20 min to the office and repeat all of that in the evening, assuming I can get there before they close. All for a coolant check.
My coolant level is slightly lower than what I remember so I should go have it looked at.
Last oil test was great and I don't have a leak that I know of so I'm probably not remembering correctly.
Duramax owners look at me like I'm crazy. I'm guessing they don't have to check coolant?
BTW, this question isn't meant to start a war. I'm genuinely curious.
I look at everything every oil change and before every "trip" I take. Better to find an anomaly before it becomes a big issue. I won't run a test strip through the coolant until the computer tells me to though - unless I saw something weird - like low coolant or it changed color. I haven't heard of any early coolant failures - either online - or at the actual dealerships, so it is possible the new coolant we use in the 6.7 (Which is GM based Dex Cool) may have solved whatever the issue was.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 3,225
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[328-R071-ELC ]Ford/Rotunda ANTIFREEZE COOLANT ELC CONTAMINATION KIT (Ford 6.7 diesel)
Where i get mine:
[328-R071-ELC ]Acustripe Ford ANTIFREEZE COOLANT ELC CONTAMINATION KIT (Ford 6.7 diesel)(10 tests per kit) - Diesel Filters,Additives,brake rotors, and brake pads for Chevy, Dodge and Ford Diesel Trucks
Keep in mind when you order that "10 test application" kit that it is really half that for the service intervals, two separate cooling systems means two tests at a time.
Makes you wonder how many dealers actually pull the coolant sample from the pet*****.
Most of the you tube videos, and some by dealers, show pulling coolant from the reservoirs with a syringe of some sort.
I made the tool that someone on the forum showed, but, it turned out the the aluminum square stock I bought was too thin. When I tried to it, it just bent.
I do my samples now from the reservoir. Drive it, warm up fully, sit a half hour or so, then test.
Where i get mine:
[328-R071-ELC ]Acustripe Ford ANTIFREEZE COOLANT ELC CONTAMINATION KIT (Ford 6.7 diesel)(10 tests per kit) - Diesel Filters,Additives,brake rotors, and brake pads for Chevy, Dodge and Ford Diesel Trucks
Thanks all, I appreciate that information. I also appreciate the link to the kit, pricey little thing isn't it. But, I'll go ahead and pay the price for admission and pick one up. I prefer to do the basics myself rather than deal with a commissioned service tech at times.
Most of the you tube videos, and some by dealers, show pulling coolant from the reservoirs with a syringe of some sort.
I made the tool that someone on the forum showed, but, it turned out the the aluminum square stock I bought was too thin. When I tried to it, it just bent.
I do my samples now from the reservoir. Drive it, warm up fully, sit a half hour or so, then test.
Lead Driver
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 9,762
Likes: 115
[328-R071-ELC ]Ford/Rotunda ANTIFREEZE COOLANT ELC CONTAMINATION KIT (Ford 6.7 diesel)
Where i get mine:
[328-R071-ELC ]Acustripe Ford ANTIFREEZE COOLANT ELC CONTAMINATION KIT (Ford 6.7 diesel)(10 tests per kit) - Diesel Filters,Additives,brake rotors, and brake pads for Chevy, Dodge and Ford Diesel Trucks
Keep in mind when you order that "10 test application" kit that it is really half that for the service intervals, two separate cooling systems means two tests at a time.
Makes you wonder how many dealers actually pull the coolant sample from the pet*****.
Most of the you tube videos, and some by dealers, show pulling coolant from the reservoirs with a syringe of some sort.
I made the tool that someone on the forum showed, but, it turned out the the aluminum square stock I bought was too thin. When I tried to it, it just bent.
I do my samples now from the reservoir. Drive it, warm up fully, sit a half hour or so, then test.
Where i get mine:
[328-R071-ELC ]Acustripe Ford ANTIFREEZE COOLANT ELC CONTAMINATION KIT (Ford 6.7 diesel)(10 tests per kit) - Diesel Filters,Additives,brake rotors, and brake pads for Chevy, Dodge and Ford Diesel Trucks
Keep in mind when you order that "10 test application" kit that it is really half that for the service intervals, two separate cooling systems means two tests at a time.
Makes you wonder how many dealers actually pull the coolant sample from the pet*****.
Most of the you tube videos, and some by dealers, show pulling coolant from the reservoirs with a syringe of some sort.
I made the tool that someone on the forum showed, but, it turned out the the aluminum square stock I bought was too thin. When I tried to it, it just bent.
I do my samples now from the reservoir. Drive it, warm up fully, sit a half hour or so, then test.
The chemistry set er... test kit my dealer ordered had a syringe in the kit with a small plastic tube to drop into the coolant reservoir. I always thought the petcock would be a better place to test from - but the said it didn't matter. For grins I made them test from the petcock once and compare it to the reservoir and it was the same.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 37,379
Likes: 1,863
From: Frederick, MD
with the 6.4 and the gold coolant they indicated to test from the petcock as well.
Every used the degas bottle there as well.
Seems to be common theme.
You can do it from the degas because, imho, it is part of the coolant system so the coolant circulates.
Every used the degas bottle there as well.
Seems to be common theme.
You can do it from the degas because, imho, it is part of the coolant system so the coolant circulates.