When you get the right thermostat, just drain 2 gallons of coolant out of the radiator into a clean container, then reuse it

Unfortunately, the blue dot does not mean the updated blue spring has been installed. (Despite what people think/say) Unless you have a fuel pressure gauge installed, it would be a good idea to install the $50 kit, as low fuel psi can kill injectors at $250 each. Make sure you use 2 wrenches when removing the fuel line....one to hold the connector and one to loosen the line.

 

Here's some great instructions.

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ue-spring.html

 

I actually had the line off (with 2 wrenches) and 2 of the cover screws before I noticed the blue dot (blind I guess), I then put it back together. I don't have a fuel pressure gauge and probably wont real soon. Maybe I will just go ahead and do it when I install the correct thermostat. The kit I bought was only $35 but didn't come with the cover.


Is there some way to run the coolant through a filter when refilling? Like a coffee filter, sock, or something? Or not necessary?

 

You could get a paint filter and put it in a funnel and filter it while refilling the degas tank. It should be pretty clean though since you just flushed it....unless you don't trust the guy that did the work.....LOL

 

Haha! That's probably true. I know there will probably still be a little stuff come out and I don't want to put it back in. I will either filter it in, or just buy another gallon of ford gold. I took the upper hose off last night because it didn't feel like it had much coolant in it, and it didn't. If it is the same when I do the swap, I could just take off the upper hose and not loose much at all.

 

When you do the thermostat, you know to can and refuse the coolant. You won't get more than three gallons from the radiator drain anyway.

I always drain and reuse but I filter what I drain first. Why yes, I am paranoid about my oil cooler plugging. Thanks for asking. I just completed ding my oil cooler after the last one had only 7500 miles on it. I'll go with an IPR kit if I have to open it up again.

 

I reuse the coolant also and I have strained it through a coffee filter before but it takes a while. I do run the cat ELC rated coolant.

It's hard to do much on these trucks without draining a few gallons of coolant.

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Blue dot doesn't mean the spring has been changed.

 

To filter my coolant, I bummed the wife's collander. I set it over a clean 5 gallon bucket and put a paper towel in the collander. It filters pretty fast. Then I pour through a funnel into a gallon jug.

 

I just use paint filters. More than fine enough.


Sean

 

I thought dealers did this when they upgraded the spring.

 

Somewhere along the the line that dot meant something to somebody but it's just a coincidence it's blue. I've replaced a few now and all but 1 had a clearly old blue dot. I tried to do some research on when it became available. Couldn't find a service bulletin or TSB that mentioned it. Earliest web reference was on another forum in Jul 09 from a guy who had started a business for the purpose of selling a spring for the regulator based on a "statement" from Ford concerning Techs stretching the spring by hand. First reference to a blue spring here at FTE was Nov 10. Just for comparison, my truck bought in May 2010 had a blue dot and it had been there for a while.

 

I really appreciate the help. You guys make a good point. Even if the blue spring had been done quite some time ago, it could even be a little weak. I should have went ahead and put it in. Luckily, I guess lol, I have to replace the thermostat anyway in a few days and I will do the blue spring then.


XDP called me first thing this morning and put me in touch with Mishimoto. They are going to replace the thermo. Hopefully soon! haha.

 

So did the blue spring today. Thank You Money Pit. I don't think it had the blue spring in it even so there was a blue dot on the cover. The spring was silver and cruddy colored. When I went to hold the cover on with the blue spring in it, it felt much stronger when pushing the cover on while trying to get the torx screws started.


I finally got the Mishimoto 200F stat installed with a new ford housing and it works great so far. It ran from about 198 to about 204 with stop and go driving.


I also installed the Riff Raff diesel driver side tube and boots since my plastic one was leaking a little at the intake elbow. Riff Raff was cheaper than buying a replacement plastic piece and it looks good.


I also installed a new motorcraft air filter since mine was pretty dirty.


I replaced the track bar bushing a couple of days ago. That was a PITA.


Next up is the bilstein 4100 shocks and rancho steering stabilizer I have had for over a week. I probably need new front tires. I have a bad shimmy around 55 mph. It clears up after that. Could be just balancing, but the front tires are cheapos and the right one is wearing bad anyway. I will get an alignment at the same time.


I might feel froggy this weekend and start the magnaflow 4" turbo back system, but I don't know.

 

That's some nice work Will, all those little things add up.

Would love to see some pics if you get a chance

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